Medicare Supplemental Insurance

[splunge63]

am enrolled in traditional Medicare, have 5 months to select a Medicare Supplemental policy. focusing on Plans G and N, and the high-deductible Plan G. my health is good and I'm fortunate to have pretty good means. high-deductible seems appealing to me, as its cost is low and covers me over the $2800 deductible. seems like exactly the situation insurance (big financial hit) is for. but when researching plans, virtually every website seems to steer visitors to more expensive plans (I wonder why, lol). I'm going to call Medicare for advice on this issue in the very near future. but if anyone has been down this path and cares to share their experience, I'd really welcome it. thanks

and just to be crystal clear, not interested in any discussion of Medicare "Advantage"

[vapor2]

1. Advantage Medicare is privatized Medicare and they have

a reputation of denying claims. Plus the agent that enrolls you gets about $700. I have Cigna supplemental

[SheltieLover]

2. Call your senior center & Council on Aging

Council on Aging staff helped me find the cheapest plan. At age 65, the best plan offered was around $125/ mo. With Farm Bureau. Others offering identical coverage were nearly $400/ mo!

Unlike part D drug coverage, plans must offer identical coverage for each category i.e., F,G, etc.

Choose a Part D plan because there is a 1% per month penalty for life if you don't sign up when you become eligible.

There is 1 plan that is completely free. Wellcare or something. Part D needsto be reviewed each fall because prices & coverages change drastically each year. Open enrollment is Oct 15 toDec 7th.

Good luck!

[djtexas]

3. Plan G

Plan G is your most comprehensive option. The high deductible version will save you money on premiums. You would save money if you never use it. It might take 2 years to save the $2800 deductible in lower premium payments. I believe you can change to a new G Plan every year without penalty if you ever wanted the lower deductible version. But check that with Medicare.

[Tadams01KC]

4. I'm planning on N

I’m turning 65 in a couple months and I’m planning on supplement plan N. It’s most like G, which is the Cadillac of plans but about $25 a month cheaper. I looked at the G high-deductible also and still may go that way.
Also planning on adding WellCare prescription plan at $0 (which seems odd but ok)

[Marigold]

6. I have a Plan G

When I became eligible two years ago, I signed up for a Plan G. I have the standard one. My husband and I are relatively healthy, and have not really used it. My husband did have a spot of skin cancer on his face which was a small procedure, but the bill was over 3K. We paid nothing out of pocket.

We have UHC which has gotten a bad rap for their Advantage plans, but seem to be ok with medigap. They have the second lowest premiums. I also went with the plan G because it covers international travel somewhat. I never really thought about a high deductible plan. I figure as long as I can swing it, I will keep the regular plan.

Drug plan is a different story. What started out as a 29.99 plan is now 105. per month. It doesn't cover the two drugs we take, so we buy them through Amazon pharmacy (mea culpa). I am switching to the 0 premium one this year with the 591.00 deductible.

It's like playing whack a mole. Good luck.

[Skittles]

7. may I ask

how does the supplemental work, do they automatically know what expenses are presented for Part B?