Greetings to those of you 65 and older! Just came from the office where we purchase our Medicare Advantage Plan. A few tidbits just in case it's pertinent to your situation. Normally the open enrollment period for signing into a Medicare supplement or advantage plan is October - December. For this year (and maybe the only year) the enrollment period was extended to March 31, 2019. We are considering changing our plans and found out that Highmark is offering a supplement that is all inclusive such as the AARP United Health Care (they are not making this offer). No co-pays, no drug plan, more expensive than advantage plans BUT for this period only, it is open to all. You have heart problems, cancer, diabetes, kidney problems, they will still take you at the entry rate. Otherwise, those conditions may exclude you from acceptance or the premium will be higher. I am in western PA (Highmark is based in Pittsburgh) and it is not available everywhere, but if you need to go to a full coverage Medicare supplement, check with a fringe benefit/insurance specialist and see if there is any other company with this offer.
Main difference between the two types of plans...
Advantage plans
co-pay for doctors
co-pay for hospital stays and ER
co-pay for lab work
co-pay for CT and MRI (over $200)
20% co-pay for chemotherapy (yep)
no co-pay for diagnostic (mammo, colon)
Some routine dental exams
Vision allowance once a year
Rx plan included in cost
Cheaper than supplement
No health history required, no age differential
My Highmark Freedom Blue PPO plan's monthly cost is $78 as is Mark's. Advantage plans are the same price for everyone without restriction for joining. Some like Coventry are highly rated and have $0 monthly cost.
Supplemental plans
no co-pays for anything
100% hospital coverage
100% chemotherapy coverage
No dental
No vision
Rx plan is separate
High cost, but complete medical coverage
Health history required, price based on age
My monthly fee at 67 would be $134, Mark at 70 would be $151, Rx plans $34 per month. I am considering this move because I don't know where my diagnosis will lead and I will be accepted now. Every year I will have the option to go back to the advantage plan if I choose. Coventry plan is widely accepted and highly rated, what I would save in monthly cost would go towards drugs, which in either plan would still be high. I would hit the "donut hole" in 6 months. So I have a decision to make very soon and you know how poorly I do with that task. Switching to a full supplement is like having car or house insurance. You have to pay whether the coverage is used or not, but have the peace of mind knowing you're covered fully. Who knows if a hospital stay or diagnosis is in the future? Then again, the money saved in policy cost every month can be set aside and used for the extra expense incurred in advantage plans. It's a dilemma I tell 'ya!
If you need to change to a cheaper, better, or more inclusive advantage plan or supplement, you still have until the end of March to do so. Many of our friends did not know about the extended enrollment period so thought I would mention it. And I did.
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