[knarf]

I am in the market to change my medicare supplement (my present AARP is the cheapest one and covers NONE of my specialists), so I started looking about a month ago.

Obviously no one could quote me anything at THAT time because open enrollment wasn't until yesterday.

I realize today that, with President Trump announcing more dismantling of obozocare, a whole BUNCH of insurers are UNsurers.

I'd like to start the Medicare discussion because I think a LOT of us here in FreeRepublic could use the input.

Thanks

[The Sons of Liberty]

All the calls trying to get me to use a particular service have stopped.

HOW were you able to accomplish that??!!

[trebb]

Wife has been on Medicare/TriCare for Life for a couple years and I start 1 Nov - get lots of adverts for Medicare supplements but don't wan't or need them since TriCare covers pretty much everything Medicare doesn't.

Not the "free healthcare for life" I was promised when I enlisted but still the best deal out there except for out "representatives"....

[MayflowerMadam]

Our supplemental plans are through Mutual of Omaha; we’re happy with it. Have never had any problems with it.

For a few years I was with AFLAC, but they quit writing in TN a couple years ago, and I’m not sure they’re doing supplementals at all any more. It, too, was good.

[pfflier]

The state of Arizona has a website for medicare supplement plans that is pretty extensive. Maybe your state has something like it.

Kill AARP before they kill you.

[libertylover]

Maybe you deserve punishment for having anything to do with AARP. :)

[TangoLimaSierra]

It's good you are getting rid of AARP.
They have sided with the gun grabbers for years.

[Gay State Conservative]

I have a Blue Cross plan with a zero premium (other than the Part B premium which I'd pay anyway).It covers any doctor or hospital that takes Medicare (which means 99%).No referrals are needed.

I just had a hip replacement a few months ago which,I was told,was gonna be complicated because of my health history.Although Boston hospitals are among the very finest in the world there's a hospital in NYC that is universally recognized as *the* best orthopedic hospital in the world.I contacted them and was told my plan would cover it...but I stayed in Boston.

The one drawback is that co-pays are pretty high (although there's an annual "out of pocket" ceiling...$6K IIRC).

[mrsmith]

Wanta follow the thread. Just starting soon. Man are they chopping down lots of trees to send me ads!
(And I don’t understand a thing- how do I know what I’ll need in the future anyway? )

[oh8eleven]

I'd like to start the Medicare discussion ...
For those who are new to Medicare, or just may not know, there is Original Medicare, and there are also two optional plans that augment Medicare: Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplemental.
There are many differences between the two programs and probably the biggest is that Supplemental programs DO NOT cover prescription medications.

"Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplement: How to Choose"

Doing a Google search on "medicare advantage or supplemental insurance" will result in many other links.

[Chickensoup]

I am a few years out but thought it is time I think about what will be next.

[TEXOKIE]

We are looking into the conservative version of AARP: AMAC.

https://amac.us

[TomGuy]

Check the Medicare Advantage policies that may be available your area. They vary, even by counties.

Check the back of Medicare and You 2018 booklet. If you get the mail version, it should list plans available in your area.

Check Medicare.gov. It allows you to review policy provisions.

Check with your regular doctor. Networks add and remove physicians occasionally. I went with AARP-United Health in 2017 and they dropped 2 of my doctors in June. I plan on dropping them in the 2018 enrollment.

[rainee]

My mom, 75, needs some serious dental work but doesn’t have the supplemental for dental.
I had her visit my dentist to give her estimate as a cash payment & it’s still so crazy expensive for them.
Any ideas?

[spankalib]

THANKS for starting this discussion/education!

[radu]

I have a plan with Humana - zero premium, though I pay the Part B premium, as we all do. Low copays, though they’re a tad higher if I wind up using an out-of-network doctor. $10 in-network, $30 out-of-network. But they do cover most out-of-network doctors at least.
$30 copay if I see a specialist.

There’s an annual out-of-pocket ceiling of $3,400 in-network. Out-of-network is $5,100 in-network/out-of-network combined.

They have several other plans that they charge a premium for but this one works for me. I’ve been fortunate to be blessed with good health and a strong immune system and rarely go to a doctor. But if something crops up, I have this to fall back on.

[MomwithHope]

We are in Michigan and have Priority health medicare. It’s part c and drug coverage, costs an extra 122. a month for each of us. This is our first year and we haven’t had any major heath issues so, so far so good. We saw an agent who helped us through the maze. She was a big help.

[lizma2]

BKMK