Medicare?

[Happymi]

OK, I hate to admit this BUT yes !!!! I am going to be able to apply for Medicare in a few months. What I am confused about is what I should do for the suplementary insurance. Who are you using? I have called a few companies and I am more confused that ever. Blue Cross lied to me, and I thought about AARP. Haven't called them yet. I wanted to get your take on it.

Thanks in advance
Happymi confused right now

[Dadeaux]

I am not a big fan of AARP but I have United Health Care through them and have been very satisfied. I also bought the "Part D" (drug ins) through them have been happy with it and highly recommend that everybody carry it.

A note to establish my judgment basis; I have been fighting cancer for about 6 years and my medical expenses have been hundred of thousands of dollars so far.

Good luck.

[Seajay]

I have Bankers Life as a supplement and it PAYS EVERYTHING THAT MEDICARE DOES NOT PAY. It dont pay toward meds but it pays everything else. It is not cheap but the lose money on me every year. I have had 2 heart attacks and two strokes and been in the hospital several time. I was insured by Blue Cross before my Medicare kicked in and and the ''stink'' as an insurance company. They will get you by the ''short hair'' and TWIST... NO THANKS BLUE CROSS....
You owe me ten cents for this valuable info and you can pay me the next time you see me.....
God bless our troops

[bdpreece]

We went with Mutual of Omaha plan F and have been very happy so far. They cover everything Medicare does not pay except for drugs. We went with First Health Part D for the drug coverage. Before Medicare we were paying over $2000 a month now less than $200. Coverage costs vary by location so you need to do your research.

[edj]

We have a Medicare Advantage PPO policy with Excellus Blue Cross in NY. It covers just about everything. There is a co-pay due when treatment is obtained. We have been with them for 3 years now, numerous medical procedures, tests and DR visits. No problems, no hassles. BTW, another advantage with a Blue Cross company is that just about all medical facilities and doctors take Blue Cross. Much less hassle with rejects due to not taking insurance you have.

The ONLY draw back we have is that the full coverage is only for in-network. Out of network costs extra. When we travel out of the network and need medical attention, we still pay just the co-pay at treatment time, but are billed for the extra later. Even with the limitation, we will still stay with the Medicare Advantage plan.

[jimbo55]

My friend retired from an outfit that will continue his ins for the rest of his life as part of the retirement package with the same Ins benefits he had while working. He did not need to buy any additional coverage ie (part D). Medicare is now primary and Ins co is secondary. Now.....THAT IS A GREAT DEAL!

[Elkhartjim]

I have Mutual of Omaha Plan F for $197/month. I finally realized that Plan F coverage is identical for all insurance companies but the cost varied greatly. I use Humana for drug coverage, $14.99/month. Good luck, what a pain in the rear this is. BTW...I used a broker to research the lowest cost.

[diandtom]

We both have Mutual of Omaha plan F. Had it for years and cannot beat the price. Don't want anything to do with AARP. All plans are the same it just the price that is difference.

[W4RLR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbo55 My friend retired from an outfit that will continue his ins for the rest of his life as part of the retirement package with the same Ins benefits he had while working. He did not need to buy any additional coverage ie (part D). Medicare is now primary and Ins co is secondary. Now.....THAT IS A GREAT DEAL!

I retired from a similar company with a similar benefit, the U.S. military.

[denochs]

Happymi,

Your question is too general. It really depends on what your needs are. Are you in good health? Or, like some that have replied, in need of extensive coverage due to on going health problems. My wife is going thru the same selection process and fortunately we have a close friend that sells supplemental ins. Some ins companies are better (paying the bills to your dr & hosp). As you can see from the responses, you can get about any coverage you want.

Since she is in good health & on only one inexpensive med she selected the zero premium Advantage plan thru United Health Care. You can change it once a year if your health needs change.

Dave

[two slides]

I have friends who have United Health Care thru AARP. they tell me it has very good coverage. I personally have had Humanna about 1 year thru a group union policy which also has part "D" included. they have been "super" to deal with so far. group rate is a bargain. don't know if you had an individual policy what it would be like.

[Smokyjoe]

We have American Republic. $158 a month. That covers everything except drugs.

[Lindsay Richards]

If you are going to be traveling widely in your RV, be sure of the coverage area. The part D is pretty confusing and depends a lot of what your actual drugs are. You have to sit down with your actual prescriptions and just figure it out. Some drug store chains like Walgreen's will do it for you, but they we ended up different than they do. A good thing you should do is always ask the Dr. for samples. I take a diabetes drug that is very expensive even with the copay and I can get most of it through samples. We just resigned up with AARP.

[Rick Long]

I told Medicare to take a flying leap.... VA takes very good care of me. I pay $8 a month for my $300+ Advair and nothing for oxygen and the oxygen concentrator.