Medicare supplemental plan question...

[StevePav]

Hi all,

My Medicare kicks in soon and I am trying to decide on a supplemental plan for Medicare Part B. As I'm heading out on the road in two months, I need something that will work anywhere I go. Does anybody have any suggestions for plans that they are happy or unhappy with for whatever reason?

Thanks in advance.

Steve

[Jim Stewart]

I work in the Health Care Field and almost all who do tell you the plan supported by the AARP is probably one of the best. I am not a supporter of AARP, just repeating what people who work in the field would choose!

Here is link, the widely accepted plans a Blue Cross/Blue Shield, next is United Healthcare which is the AARP plan. BCBS is typically the most expensive. United is competitive with most.

https://www.aarphealthcare.com/produ...p/default.aspx

[Volunteer]

Having turned 65 in March of this year, I've been through this process and will tell you up front you'll get as many different suggestions as there are replys to your question. Your location will make a great deal of difference.

Last year I was using the VA hospital in Kerrville, Texas, because I retired early and didn't yet qualify for Medicare. That VA hospital probably saved my life and started me on meds that I'm still taking today.

In Southeast Texas, my parents kept bragging about a Medicare supplemental plan that actually paid them and provided all their generic medications at no charge.

Even though my state of Texas retiree health plan kicked back in when I turned 65, I decided to go with this group in Southeast Texas. I met my PCP two weeks ago and have already undergone specialized testing and more is in the works. I also have scripts for my meds for another year which I can fill at any WalMart.

As long as I go back "home" to Southeast Texas every few months, this plan will cover me. I'm only a six hour drive away so that's not a problem. Your situation may be different if you don't go back home very often. As an aside, my plan does cover emergencies when I'm out of their service territory, it's just not as good as it is when I'm home.

Like you, I didn't know where to turn but I am now very happy with my decision to go with this group. I said all of that to say this:

Talk with your friends and family who have gone with a Medicare supplemental plan and see if they're happy. I trusted my folks with their recommendation and so far, it's been the right choice for me.

Good luck with your decision.

[StevePav]

Jim,
Thanks for the links, I'll check them out.

Volunteer,
Unfortunately, I'm leaving Georgia for at least two years to explore the Western US so I need something that will work for my rather nomadic lifestyle.


Thanks for your help!

Steve

[Jim Stewart]

Steve, the advantage to either a BCBS or United Health Care is that you are almost never out of the network area if you do choose one of their choice plans, because they have contracts most everywhere.

The less expensive plans are typically HMO based and you are limited to where you can go and normally a very small geographic area. If you are out of their area and have a major problem, they sock it to you. They are great if you do not travel much and are relatively healthy.

I am not retired yet, (December), we had an HMO, I was 150 miles from home and got a bladder infection and kidney stones. I could not drive the 150 miles back and was treated at the local hospital for 2 days. The bill $2,700.00 my part $2,500.00 seems that kidney stones and a bladder infection can wait to be treated until you get home. If I had been in my HMO area my part would have been $200.00.

You really need a more widely accepted plan if you travel much.

[ChuckM]

My wife and I both have United Healthcare through AARP and are very happy with it. No area limitations such as HMOs and PCP plans have.

Chuck Molling

[Baby Bear]

BCBS too expensive for my blood. Agree with Chuckm about the AARP plan as we use it in both Pa and SC with no problems.

[FLYTYER]

We have been with HUMANA for several years and have had no issues and only one fee increase in the prescription drug program section.

[kayo]

If you are former military look at USAA. They handle my Plan F supplement (directly with them) as well as the Part D drug benefit (though Humana). good wherever I go

[oldcouple]

Maybe a plane ticket would have been cheeper.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Stewart Steve, the advantage to either a BCBS or United Health Care is that you are almost never out of the network area if you do choose one of their choice plans, because they have contracts most everywhere. The less expensive plans are typically HMO based and you are limited to where you can go and normally a very small geographic area. If you are out of their area and have a major problem, they sock it to you. They are great if you do not travel much and are relatively healthy. I am not retired yet, (December), we had an HMO, I was 150 miles from home and got a bladder infection and kidney stones. I could not drive the 150 miles back and was treated at the local hospital for 2 days. The bill $2,700.00 my part $2,500.00 seems that kidney stones and a bladder infection can wait to be treated until you get home. If I had been in my HMO area my part would have been $200.00. You really need a more widely accepted plan if you travel much.

[faye]

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevePav Hi all, My Medicare kicks in soon and I am trying to decide on a supplemental plan for Medicare Part B. As I'm heading out on the road in two months, I need something that will work anywhere I go. Does anybody have any suggestions for plans that they are happy or unhappy with for whatever reason? Thanks in advance. Steve

what many people do not understand that all supplemental plans sold must cover what the federal goverment requires of that plan. there are plans A-J that are available in most states, what most people with traditional medicare carry is plan f which is available in georgia. aarp which endorses united health care, bc, and many other companies also sell plans. a plan f from aarp(united health care is 166.00 dollars a month, the same plan from mutual of omaha is 128.oo per month. if you have traditional medicare part a and b you can chose any doctor that accepts medicare in any state and your supplemental will usually cover the small co-pays that are not paid by the medicare part a which is for when you have to go into the hospital and b is for dr. office visits. what i am saying is to call medicare or an insurance broker and check which company that sells in georgia has the least expensive plan and go with that... i have been told and have personally selected mutual of omaha because plan f which i want is about 40.00 less than aarp for the same coverage plan f. i also live in georgia and you can go to the medicare.gov web site and compare plans available in georgia or you can call medicare and they will give you the plans and cost. if you elect to go with a medicare advantage plan you will be limited on who you can see and which hospital you must use. the advantage plans are probably on the way out or will be very limited because these plans are what obama wants to cut and many companies have already stopped selling them. this is the phone number of the agent i used and we are very satisfied with him(229-924-2924...hooks agency in americus ga., larry underwood. you can buy through him if you live in georgia or just talk with him and he can explain things for you. you will probably need a prescripton plan which is called part d if you do not have this from a retirement health care plan. you can also call medicare for comparsion of these plan or look at them on the medicare.gov site.

[StevePav]

I chose the Secure Horizons plan from United Healthcare. At this point it costs me nothing but next year they begin charging $20 per month for the plan and the copays go up next year as well. All in all, I believe it's the best and cheapest plan for my needs and it allows me to travel.

Thanks to all for your advice.

Steve

[Barbaraok]

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevePav Hi all, My Medicare kicks in soon and I am trying to decide on a supplemental plan for Medicare Part B. As I'm heading out on the road in two months, I need something that will work anywhere I go. Does anybody have any suggestions for plans that they are happy or unhappy with for whatever reason? Thanks in advance. Steve

Steve, supplemental or Part C? I believe that most of those links, etc., that people have given you are for part C. Make sure you understand the difference and what it can and can not do for you. Part C (which most of the BCBS plans are) completely takes over the Medicare coverage and often includes drug coverage - - they get your premiums from Medicare and may, or may not, have an additional premium to you.

A supplemental program is just that - you pay the premiums and it supplements your part B, such as paying copays and deductibles. Make sure you understand the differences and also the limitations, especially with the Part C plans.

Barb