Medicare/Medicare Advantage for full timers

[smlranger]

First, DW and I do not plan to full time but I would say at least half-time beginning next year. DW will turn 65 in 10 months and we are making plans (I plan to retire as soon as she turns 65 and is Medicare-eligible. I will be 8 months later).

So, my question is have others who travel a lot compared the pros-cons of Medicare Advantage plans vs. traditional Medicare and getting supplemental insurance? On the surface, MCare Advantage plans seem to offer a good deal at least in terms of having to deal with only one insurance provider. If you chose the more traditional route, are they any good sources for supplemental plans geared to RVr's?

[CampDaven]

Best thing you can do is go on http://www.medicare.gov/ The basics are there.

You will need to choose between: Just Medicare. Medicare with an Advantage plan. Medicare with a Medigap plan.

It will take a bit of studying and teeth gnashing. Everyone has different needs based on how healthy they are, need for meds, possible hospitalization. I chose a Advantage plan with Highmark PPO Blue. I get coverage in PA (our normal annual tuneup doctor) and also get covered in 31 states, and 30% fee if out of network. Hopefully you can find one that suits you.

Medicare is basically good anywhere there are doctors that accept it. Advantage plans with an insurance company gives you more doctor choices and coverage in the RX Gap, and such.

Best of luck!

[EDALLSAILS]

Boy oh boy this is full of pot holes. There are so many terms and conflicting opinions. We (my wife & I) have two different plans. Both are so-called medicare Advantage plans. My plan is much more restricted and limits my choices of care. When traveling my plan basically calls any treatment out of my local area and primary physician Emergency or I have to pay LOTS to get any care. They say I can go to any DR. or hospital that normally takes Medicare patients but because I'm not seeing primary care Dr it cost more. My wife's plan with AARP is also a Medicare Advantage plan. She can go to ANY Dr, any hospital without penalty. There are so many choices it is mind shaking. If you are going to be traveling for extended periods then go for a plan that lets you visit and physician. Any hospital without penalty. Her plan we think is better than mine. I'll switch companies during the re sign up period. There is a Medicare government site that lets you see exactly what is available in your area. You can see the different terms and limits. And COSTS. With the government Obama care on the horizon what you see is what is available NOW. the benefits may be extended or restricted in the future. It all depends on what congress does, and what the insurance companies do in re action. safe travels....ed

[Rusty years]

Since I happen to be a Medicare Insurance agent, I can offer some good info. If you want to control your health care costs you want an Advantage plan, preferably a PPO so you can go to any provider. Out of network has a little higher cost share. An HMO is not good for travelers. A supplement is the best and most expensive as you have to pay monthly premiums, so you are paying whether or not you use it. The Advantage plan usually has no or minuscule premium, no deductibles, small copays and includes drugs and maybe dental, vision and hearing and silver sneakers. I prefer the United Healthcare Advantage PPO for us and we are full time. Let me know if I can be of further assistance, no charge!!!

[JFXG]

Originally Posted by Rusty years

Since I happen to be a Medicare Insurance agent, I can offer some good info. If you want to control your health care costs you want an Advantage plan, preferably a PPO so you can go to any provider. Out of network has a little higher cost share. An HMO is not good for travelers. A supplement is the best and most expensive as you have to pay monthly premiums, so you are paying whether or not you use it. The Advantage plan usually has no or minuscule premium, no deductibles, small copays and includes drugs and maybe dental, vision and hearing and silver sneakers. I prefer the United Healthcare Advantage PPO for us and we are full time. Let me know if I can be of further assistance, no charge!!!

I just recently shopped for an Advantage plan. The only major provider I could find that wrote a PPO policy in North Carolina was Humana. I would have liked United.... We've had corporate coverage through them for several years.

[road dogs]

I currently have a PPO, Health Net, which has been excellent, no premium and was highly rated when I enrolled 5 years ago . I think it is only available in the PNW though. I am really concerned about what's going to happen to all these plans when obamacare takes hold.

[Yukon Jack]

smlranger
Coincidently, I will be going on Medicare this month. When we were sorting through the hugh number of options, and conferring with Medicare insurance agents, we were advised that the Medicare Advantage Plan would not be the best choice for us since we would be doing some traveling, as the MA plan would require large out of pocket expenses if pursuing treatment in 'out of network' doctors. With some MA plans you may have to go to only doctors, facilities or suppliers that belong to that plan.

Further if you desire to seek specialist or special treatment facilities ( ie cancer, heart disease, etc. ) outside of your plans coverage, you may likely see out of pocket expenses approaching 100%. The advantage of the MA programs are they have much cheaper premiums, but in some cases it may be a decision you will come to regret.

The bottom line, since the rules are different, depending on the state you live or register in, you really need to become familiar your specific current or potential needs and compare those to the different policies that are available.

As info, we elected to go with a supplemental plan F from Blue Cross Blue Shield that seemed to be the most economical approach for our life style.

Jack

[JFXG]

Originally Posted by road dogs

.... I am really concerned about what's going to happen to all these plans when obamacare takes hold.

Over the course of ten years or so, they will all disappear through attrition. The administrative and regulatory environment will make it so inconvenient and/or costly for consumers that they will just give up and settle for the government plan. With lack of customers, providers will go away.

The endgame is a single-payer, government funded system, a la Europe. He has said it, he has written it. It doesn't have to work, it just has to be free. Policy is driven by those grasping for freebies.

[CLIFFTALL]

Before we get into political discussions. Please be re advised of this portion of our rules.

" General discussions of politics, general government policies, weaponry, gun rights and religion are not allowed in ANY areas of iRV2. Discussions about current or pending legislation or regulations, weapons and religion that directly pertain to RVing are acceptable but will be closed or removed if they wander off topic or become disruptive."

Thanks Cliff

[Arch Hoagland]

Originally Posted by Rusty years

Since I happen to be a Medicare Insurance agent, I can offer some good info. If you want to control your health care costs you want an Advantage plan, preferably a PPO so you can go to any provider. Out of network has a little higher cost share. An HMO is not good for travelers. A supplement is the best and most expensive as you have to pay monthly premiums, so you are paying whether or not you use it. The Advantage plan usually has no or minuscule premium, no deductibles, small copays and includes drugs and maybe dental, vision and hearing and silver sneakers. I prefer the United Healthcare Advantage PPO for us and we are full time. Let me know if I can be of further assistance, no charge!!!

We are both on Medicare and we have Kaiser Permante which is a HMO in California.

I ask about traveling a lot and they said while traveling we can go to any medical facility and get treatment and Kaiser picks up the bill. We have a form for it.

So I'm curious about you comment that an HMO is not good for travelers.

Could you elaborate?

[JFXG]

Originally Posted by Clifftall

Before we get into political discussions. Please be re advised of this portion of our rules.

" General discussions of politics, general government policies, weaponry, gun rights and religion are not allowed in ANY areas of iRV2. Discussions about current or pending legislation or regulations, weapons and religion that directly pertain to RVing are acceptable but will be closed or removed if they wander off topic or become disruptive."

Thanks Cliff

Sorry, Cliff. I apologize for the digression. Raw nerve.

[TXiceman]

We have Medicare A and B plus Supplement F and a drug plan through AARP. AARP was very helpful and provided the lowest cost option. RVers need to closely what what areas they have and do have network coverage.

Ken

[Rusty years]

For those who choose a supplement, look closely at Plan N. It saves over $500 yr in premium and has just a few small costs when using it.

I would like to see Medicare privatized completely into Advantage plans.

I haven't seen anything about Medicare being affected by the ACA, it seems to apply only to those under 65.

[CampDaven]

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland

We are both on Medicare and we have Kaiser Permante which is a HMO in California.

I ask about traveling a lot and they said while traveling we can go to any medical facility and get treatment and Kaiser picks up the bill. We have a form for it.

So I'm curious about you comment that an HMO is not good for travelers.

Could you elaborate?

HMO, PPO, whatever, the coverage area and all sorts of differences unique to the providers. My PPO is in 31 states.