COMMENTS

20 responses to “Money: Medicare Update”

1. Be careful about switching plans. I used a broker supplied by my company to help with Medicare decisions. In a few years, I decided to talk to them about making a switch. I was elated with their reccs for both a new Medicare and drug plan. More for less$!!!
   In a few weeks, I received a note from Medicare that said if I made the switch, my monthly premium would double. Underneath that, was literal chicken-scratch with a pencil a (misspelled) medical test I had taken as the reason. SMH

   Reply to gail katz

2. The senior center in my county offers, by appointment, specialists to help decipher each available plan in this specific county (offers, especially Medicare Advantage Plans, differ by county). If I decide to go with a Medigap plan, the specialist explains each option clearly. I highly recommend contacting your local county to find out how to get specialized help. I happen to live in a senior building and a representative came onsite to address us.

   Reply to Cleta Bradwell

3. I’ve been on Medicare since 2013 between disability and age. During that time I did most of my own homework and chose my own companies but even with internet and some business savvy I made some mistakes.
   I would strongly suggest that people new to Medicare find an independent insurance agency experienced in offering all options of Medicare coverage to their clients. I’m doing that this year despite (or because of?) my past experience. This year seems more important than other years have been.

   Reply to Terrie W.

4. Hi I am new to this and hoping that I be able to get some type of coverage because I dont want to be not qualifed due to my age.I was forced out of work because i was in an accident.Needed to get SSDA.Now,I am sixty-two years old,will l qualfy for Medicare Advantage Plan?,I retired and
   I beeb out of work for about twenty-two month.I worked for about twenty-one years.Please send me some good information about Medicare which includes med8cation included and thanks for your information.

   Reply to Cecilia Johnson

   1. You might try checking the information and resources available from AARP. The Link is here.

      Reply to Senior Planet

5. I am new to Medicare having just signed up in june. This is my first opportunity for open enrollment and I’m not familiar with the lingo. What is MADP and where can I find out about it? Thank you

   Reply to Rhonda Imhoff

   1. You might try googling MADP (Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period).

      Reply to Senior Planet

6. You two arguing about what’s Fact is confusing me more

   Reply to Patty Bowers

   1. You might try checking the information and resources available from AARP. The Link is here.

      Reply to Senior Planet

7. Can I leave a Medicare Advantage and go back to regular Medicare? I thought I was purchasing a supplemental plan through my pension, but it was not. This was not explained to me.

   Reply to Yvette Claeys

   1. You might try checking the information and resources available from AARP. The Link is here.

      Reply to Senior Planet

8. As a Medicare Expert that began with my workshops in NYC in 1988 one of the biggest problems for Beneficiaries is false political noise, arcane Medicare rules & complexity, and mistakes made by novice Agents and Non-Insurance Experts like the misleading info suggested by the writer. By that I mean Medicare Members who have made the right choice of a Plan do not need to review things every year , or be concerned with the AEP, or OEP unless there is a change in their needs.

   Reply to Vincent Brown

9. As a leading Health Insurance Expert advising Medicare Members for more than 30 years Medicare is the absolutely best and most affordable ( Medicaid is only available for very low-income families with coverage that varies by county and a high degree of complaints as to the poor quality and lack of providers ) health insurance in our Country and Medicare Advantage Plans the best choice for most people. I will summarize ” Why” below: There is no need to change plans every year!

   Reply to Vincent Brown

10. We took a look at “Advantage” plans and did some external research. It became clear that “Advantage” health care a scam on the American public, introduced by a politicians who are opposed to government services like Medicare. ADvantage companies make hundreds of millions of dollars by denying care ; have been found guilty of fraudulent billing, costing hundreds of millions. Free gym membership isn’t worth denial of care. Medicare is universal health care at its best.

    Reply to rsp

    1. The first line of the response by rsp ” health care scam ” is a good example of slander based on a ridiculous falsehood as more than half of all Medicare Members choose Medicare Advantage Plans for important and clear benefits some of which like ” Care Management and Nurses available at no cost over the phone cannot be had any other way. Medicare Advantage Plans has been the best choice for most beneficiaries for almost two decades now because : They offer the most benefits at the lowest cost.

       Reply to Vincent Brown a Leading Medicare Expert

    2. I agree. I did a year of research, which included being part of Boomer Benefits facebook Q & A page. BB is a Medicare plan agency that does business in 49 states. Many people don’t realize MA plans aren’t Supplement. Many people get MA plans because all they see is $0 premiums. They don’t look into the nitty-gritty details. My sister got a MA plan from an agent because he told her it would cover the 20% Medicare didn’t. She thought she was getting a great deal on a Supplement/Medigap plan.

       Reply to Nyla Rounds

11. Can Senior Orbit offer a webinar on selecting a Plan D program?

    Reply to Donna j

    1. Call your senior center or state office of Elder Affairs or your Congressional rep to find the SHINE or SHIP program near you to learn all things Medicare incl Part D.

       Reply to Susan Jepson

    2. There is no need for ” a webinar on selecting a Pt D Plan ” for a number of simple reasons: 1- All Part D Plans must provide coverage from Medicare’s Mandatory List so meds covered will be similar in cost and how covered.
       2- The best way to get Part D Coverage is often inside of a MAPD which will save the cost of a standalone plan.
       Unfortunately, most people with standalone plans are already wasting a fortune on Medicare Supplements instead of choosing MAPD’s.

       Reply to Vincent Brown

       1. I disagree. With Medigap/Supplement Plan N, I pay the Part B deductible, up to $20 copay for some Dr office visits & up to $50 for ER visits if not admitted, that’s it. I don’t pay a dime for PT which often has a $30/$40 copay per session. There is no copay for X-rays or bloodwork. I don’t have to worry about managed care…pre approvals or denial of services. The Part A deductible is covered for inpatient services. My drug plan is $5/month & I can get one for $0 in 2024.