what is the best supmental health insurance ?

[faye]

During the open inrollment period, pre-existing can not be used to deny you medicare or supplemental. But, you need to do this in the time period, we have traditional medicare that is auto deducted from our ss monthly check, for supplemental we have mutual of omaha which pays all hospital, lab, other idagnostic co-pays that medicare does not pay for its approved care. We have plan f which is most often recommended. We also have a part d pharmacy plan with first health, you can go to ww.medicare.gove to compare supplemental and part d pharmacy plans. Medicare if you call them will also go over the pharmacy plans available and supplementals and they do not try to led you into one particular plan, if you do not want tradtional medicare, a supplemental and a part d pharmacy plan , then you can go with an advantage plan with this there are certain doctors, hospitals, that you can use and you usually have to pay deductibles for dr. Visits, lab, diagnostices, hospital admissions. You can go to most council of aging and they will help educate you. First though use the internet at www.medicare. Gov to read as much as you can, you are starting early enough you can internet search, agency search and medicare phone call so that you are able to make a wise decision. Just think about long term, and what you will be paying out if you need hospital stays one or more times a year if you go with an advantage plan. After all, make you own informed decision.

[CLIFFTALL]

Originally Posted by faye

We have plan f which is most often recommended.

I am about 2 years away but I started doing some research at the end of last year and attended a seminar. Plan F was discussed. The premium quoted for So. FL. was about $240 plus $40 for drug plan and of course the monthly Medicare. That's almost $400 a month ( close to $5000 a year ).

I was shocked.

How much is your plan F where you live , if you don't mind sharing?

Cliff

[Knotdodger]

Originally Posted by Clifftall

I am about 2 years away but I started doing some research at the end of last year and attended a seminar. Plan F was discussed. The premium quoted for So. FL. was about $240 plus $40 for drug plan and of course the monthly Medicare. That's almost $400 a month ( close to $5000 a year ).

I was shocked.

How much is your plan F where you live , if you don't mind sharing?

Cliff

$112.71 with Omaha. The plan benefits are set by the federal government so the only difference is the premium.

Start with medicare.gov. Remember that ALL the plans are the same regardless of the insurance company. Decide on a plan and the site will show you all the companies issuing policies in your state. I live in North Carolina and the premiums for me ran from around $112.00 to $253.00 a month for the same plan. I start March 1st.

[CLIFFTALL]

Originally Posted by Knotdodger

$112.71 with Omaha. The plan benefits are set by the federal government so the only difference is the premium.

Start with medicare.gov. Remember that ALL the plans are the same regardless of the insurance company. Decide on a plan and the site will show you all the companies issuing policies in your state. I live in North Carolina and the premiums for me ran from around $112.00 to $253.00 a month for the same plan. I start March 1st.

Is yours " plan F " ?

[Knotdodger]

Yes.

[CLIFFTALL]

Originally Posted by Knotdodger

Yes.

Wow. That's less than half I was told it would be where I am. I will shop it when my time comes. Thanks.

[cb5300]

Originally Posted by Clifftall

Wow. That's less than half I was told it would be where I am. I will shop it when my time comes. Thanks.

Prices will depend on what state you live in, and then can even be by which county you live in within that state. It does pay to shop, and as someone has already posted, Plan F is the best value for the money.

[450Donn]

In our home area there are insurance brokers that specialize in Medicare gap coverage. They have a wealth of information on all of the plans available our state. Some are no additional cost, some are a couple hundred a month extra. They allow you to pick and choose depending on what you can afford. Personally DW went with Kaiser Permanente. At $39.00 a month it is a bargain for us. I choose to go with VA medical and it has proven to be great for me so far.

[demoon]

X2 for Medicare.gov
See what is available to you in your area and what the costs, co-pays, etc are and make a decision based on what will work for you. Just be a little careful with some of the "local" HMOs. Make sure they cover you when you travel. I have Fallon Community Health Plan, which is a local HMO here in MA. They cover urgent and emergency care where ever I might be, and will fill prescriptions via local pharmacies. They will not cover most non-urgent stuff such as annual physicals outside their coverage area. So, I have to be sure to plan to be around MA when I need my annual oil change and tire rotation.

[Snoopkat]

Since you live in Seattle I strongly suggest you check out Group Health Cooperative. My wife and I are paying less than half of what we paid with Blue Cross. Once you go on Medicare they have a product called "Clear Care" which is a Medicare Advantage plan. We have been on the plan for a coupla years now and are very satisfied with the docs, attitude of staff, etc. jw

[Cat320]

I refuse to use AARP due to their political views.