Question for those on Medicare

[gohawks50]

I'll be turning 65 in August so I can sign up with Medicare in April. I've been getting calls, emails, and junk mail from insurance companies wanting to talk to me about Medicare supplemental insurance. Do I need to actually talk to someone about my options or can I pick one when I sign up with Medicare? Any advice or recommendations for me, preferably some actually serious.

 

[Moral]

Any advice or recommendations for me, preferably some actually serious.

 

[tarheelbybirth]

Can’t help you. My supplemental is covered by the state. I could probably get better coverage but it wouldn’t be free. 😁

 

[DogBoyRy]

I'll be turning 65 in August so I can sign up with Medicare in April. I've been getting calls, emails, and junk mail from insurance companies wanting to talk to me about Medicare supplemental insurance. Do I need to actually talk to someone about my options or can I pick one when I sign up with Medicare? Any advice or recommendations for me, preferably some actually serious.

First - are you still working and have insurance thru that?

 

[gohawks50]

First - are you still working and have insurance thru that?

No, I took early retirement and have IPERS. My current insurance is purchased through the ACA.

 

[DogBoyRy]

No, I took early retirement and have IPERS. My current insurance is purchased through the ACA.

I would recommend downloading the medicare handbook from the gov.
Don’t get overwhelmed - it will make sense after a couple views.

 

[An Iowa fan]

I'll be turning 65 in August so I can sign up with Medicare in April. I've been getting calls, emails, and junk mail from insurance companies wanting to talk to me about Medicare supplemental insurance. Do I need to actually talk to someone about my options or can I pick one when I sign up with Medicare? Any advice or recommendations for me, preferably some actually serious.

An outfit I trust is:

Quill Insurance Consultants of Cedar Rapids.
319-862-2400

 

[DogBoyRy]

I would recommend downloading the medicare handbook from the gov.
Don’t get overwhelmed - it will make sense after a couple views.

If you do need to purchase anything i suggest using select quote.

 

[JWolf74]

Don't sign up for any managed Medicare plan.

 

[prlyles]

No, I took early retirement and have IPERS. My current insurance is purchased through the ACA.

The ACA website has an excellent tool to help you determine which supplement is best for you.

 

[Joes Place]

 

[tarheelbybirth]

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I’m on the Humana Part D plan just because that’s the one the state fully pays for. May need to shop around.

 

[joelbc1]

I'll be turning 65 in August so I can sign up with Medicare in April. I've been getting calls, emails, and junk mail from insurance companies wanting to talk to me about Medicare supplemental insurance. Do I need to actually talk to someone about my options or can I pick one when I sign up with Medicare? Any advice or recommendations for me, preferably some actually serious.

Medicare pays 80% of your bills… and offers you RX insurance..partial.
Depends what your health situation is abs what you can afford…
Do you have a SHIPP office near you? Contact a healthcare professional and they can guide you.
Most folks will save $$ over time with aMediCare supplement …

 

[jonesy5960]

I'll be turning 65 in August so I can sign up with Medicare in April. I've been getting calls, emails, and junk mail from insurance companies wanting to talk to me about Medicare supplemental insurance. Do I need to actually talk to someone about my options or can I pick one when I sign up with Medicare? Any advice or recommendations for me, preferably some actually serious.

Long story short. Go to Medicare.gov and read through the documents there. There are also numbers on there you can call. The brokers are like flies on shit if you look up anything online. Don't do that.

The most flexibility is garnered with traditional Medicare and a supplemental plan. I wouldn't even consider a Medicare Advantage plan, but everyone's situation is different.

 

[Joes Place]

Long story short. Go to Medicare.gov and read through the documents there. There are also numbers on there you can call. The brokers are like flies on shit if you look up anything online. Don't do that.

The most flexibility is garnered with traditional Medicare and a supplemental plan. I wouldn't even consider a Medicare Advantage plan, but everyone's situation is different.

IIRC, Medicare Advantage are the "private insurance plans" option.

Once you go on those, you cannot go back w/o risks of substantial increases in supplemental plan costs, and you can lose your "pre-existing conditions" waivers for the supplemental plans for a time period.

As I understand it, the supplementals cannot deny coverage when you first join Medicare, but if you go on Advantage you can be denied those coverages as that waiver expires - and you can have 6 month waiting periods. (Google 'MediGap Trap') You will get the best rates on the MediGap when you first enroll - prices can bump significantly w/ pre-existing conditions if you try to get in them after being on Medicare Advantage.

I've got some years before Medicare, but pay attention to how some of it works so I'm prepared once I need to make that transition.

 

[jonesy5960]

IIRC, Medicare Advantage are the "private insurance plans" option.

Once you go on those, you cannot go back w/o risks of substantial increases in supplemental plan costs, and you can lose your "pre-existing conditions" waivers for the supplemental plans for a time period.

As I understand it, the supplementals cannot deny coverage when you first join Medicare, but if you go on Advantage you can be denied those coverages as that waiver expires - and you can have 6 month waiting periods. (Google 'MediGap Trap') You will get the best rates on the MediGap when you first enroll - prices can bump significantly w/ pre-existing conditions if you try to get in them after being on Medicare Advantage.

I've got some years before Medicare, but pay attention to how some of it works so I'm prepared once I need to make that transition.

The Medicare Advantage plans (Otherwise known as Part C) are all traditional Medicare replacements operated by private companies. Lots of issues with these plans so a lot of providers are leaving those networks. They operate much like HMO's and require pre-approval for members to see specialists and are regularly denied. I have some pretty expensive tests run each year so those aren't for me.