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Social Security & Medicare

LiberalBrooke

(566 posts)

30. First, you need to understand the difference between Medicare and Medicare Advantage.

Reply to NRaleighLiberal (Original post)

Sun Aug 9, 2020, 06:07 AM

Aug 2020

Medicare is a government plan and you can go to any Medicare provider in the United States. You can also buy a secondary policy to supplement Medicare. An Advantage plan is a choice to be covered by a private insurance company. Basically, you assign your Medicare benefits to them and they are responsible for your care. If you choose an Advantage plan you let them get government money on your behalf with the promise to care for you. You have to trust that particular private company to meet your needs.

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36 replies

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Looking for advice - I am 64 years, 8 months - Medicare is coming at me fast! [View all] NRaleighLiberal Aug 2020 OP

Believe it or not, AARP is one of the best sources I've found for questions on Medicare. alwaysinasnit Aug 2020 #1

thanks! NRaleighLiberal Aug 2020 #3

I have the aarp uhc plan and it works great for me. overleft Aug 2020 #29

Do not do advantage! SheltieLover Aug 2020 #2

your comment reinforces what I've heard - thanks NRaleighLiberal Aug 2020 #4

You are most welcome! SheltieLover Aug 2020 #8

My agent told me that if you get Plan F or G, don't go through a group like AARP csziggy Aug 2020 #36

Advantage is great if you get sick PuppyBismark Aug 2020 #25

My doctor Rebl2 Aug 2020 #27

Smart doc! SheltieLover Aug 2020 #28

+1 n/t Lulu KC Aug 2020 #32

Thx! SheltieLover Aug 2020 #33

Call center on aging in your state SheltieLover Aug 2020 #5

I chose G last year bc you pay $185 deductible but save on monthly premium on F. sprinkleeninow Aug 2020 #18

Good idea!) SheltieLover Aug 2020 #22

I'm 71, been on Medicare for 6 years now and it works pretty well for me. No "Advantage" plan, abqtommy Aug 2020 #6

Part D - drug pllan SheltieLover Aug 2020 #7

Only if you can't prove you had "credible" coverage during the period you didn't have Part D dflprincess Aug 2020 #12

Ty for clarifying! SheltieLover Aug 2020 #14

They don't make it easy for us to understand it. dflprincess Aug 2020 #17

That sounds awesome! SheltieLover Aug 2020 #23

I went with A, B and D jpak Aug 2020 #9

The Medicare web site has a tool for selecting Part D provider JustABozoOnThisBus Aug 2020 #26

AARP sells one of the most expensive Medicare supplement plans on the market/ hedda_foil Aug 2020 #10

thanks! NRaleighLiberal Aug 2020 #11

You're welcome. :-) hedda_foil Aug 2020 #13

Advantage plans often have very narrow networks dflprincess Aug 2020 #15

That's why I didn't choose Advantage last year. Wanted to keep my healthcare providers intact. sprinkleeninow Aug 2020 #20

I have an Advantage plan and it's been wonderful so far. PoindexterOglethorpe Aug 2020 #16

My husband had medicare and added a supplemental. AJT Aug 2020 #19

Advantage plans vary a lot by location unc70 Aug 2020 #21

I agree with those who advise against advantage plans. Desert grandma Aug 2020 #24

We are also with TransAmerica Lulu KC Aug 2020 #34

Transamerica has been great for us too! Desert grandma Aug 2020 #35

First, you need to understand the difference between Medicare and Medicare Advantage. LiberalBrooke Aug 2020 #30

Why are the plans so hard to understand? 3Hotdogs Aug 2020 #31