I am about to turn 65 and have been bombarded with calls and mail related to local companies wanting to “help” me understand and select my plans.

A friend told my wife (who is only 62 so she is helping me understand our options) that these local mom and pop insurance companies provide their services and the prices they quote for each company (examples - Blue Cross, Aetna, Cigna, etc.)are the same prices even if I was to contact any of these same insurance companies like Aetna or Blue Cross direct?

Anyone know of this is true?

I found this to be the case when I first signed up for Medicare.
I met with my Insurance Agency who was providing these services. They were very helpful in choosing the best option. They were working on behalf of United Health-which was one of the providers' in my State

What these people are trying to do is to seduce you into buying one of their plans. They make a lot of money doing this. They camouflage it real well with names like Medicare Advantage, Humana Care plan, ect.

With few exceptions your best choice is with traditional Medicare.

All that being said there are supplements to cover the part the traditional Medicare does not, those are worthwhile evaluating. Evaluate on your own without the sales pressure.

You will likely regret signing up for a "Medicare Advantage Plan"

To answer your question, the cost whether you buy a medicare supplement via a broker or direct, it will be the same.

Since I invest with Fidelity, I decided to use their referral service. I spoke with the guy several times over the course of maybe eight months prior to the time I needed to sign up. He was very helpful and provided all the info I needed. I found the process and options complicated and glad I had someone to ask questions and bounce ideas off of. I assume they receive a commission from the company. I ended up with Mutual of Omaha and have been very happy. I opted for the high deductible G plan with an added drug plan which is required. I had considered an advantage plan, but the medicare supplement plan works better for me.

Originally posted by alreadydead:"You will likely regret signing up for a "Medicare Advantage Plan"[/QUOTE]"

How so???
Medicare Advantage costs the me the same as regular Medicare would cost me yet "Advantage" includes Dental & Eye
care!!!
Everyone's needs are different. My wife has Stage 5 kidney disease and the regular Medicare w/ supplemetal plans to cover Medications/Hospital costs when she receives a transplant.

quote:

Originally posted by alreadydead:
You will likely regret signing up for a "Medicare Advantage Plan"

That's a very broad brush you paint with.

It's really what your needs are, which nobody here knows.

I went with Clover Health which was perfect for me. Minimal/none medical issues annual visit dental, vision, OTC and prescriptions (which I have none). If you are a frequent person in the Healthcare system go with Mcare and a supplement. If you are not frequent medical issue person, advantage plans offer a lot. BTW, I pay ZERO for my coverage.

As I understand it, as a peripherally interested person in the 6th decade, is the biggest disadvantage to Advantage plans is if you ever decide you want to change. To another plan or traditional Medicare.

Yes, the costs are same or less and benefits seem/are better on surface, but the long term options may offset that?

You might review these posts:

https://sigforum.com/eve/forum...935/m/8630069584/p/1

https://sigforum.com/eve/forum...935/m/8950043984/p/1

quote:

Originally posted by downtownv:

It's really what your needs are, which nobody here knows.

This...I'm coming up on 5 years with an advantage plan. No regrets. Dental has come in handy more than once.

"[QUOTE]Originally posted by Georgeair:
As I understand it, as a peripherally interested person in the 6th decade, is the biggest disadvantage to Advantage plans is if you ever decide you want to change. To another plan or traditional Medicare."

THe Advantge plan is best suited to someone who is reasonably healthy. If you choose a regular plan then switch to "Advantage" and become ill they may not allow you to switch back to a reguular plan with supplemental plans

quote:

Originally posted by Vette02:
"[QUOTE]Originally posted by Georgeair:
The Advantage plan is best suited to someone who is reasonably healthy.

Well said, and only the OP knows his health status

Medicare Advantage may not be a good choice if you travel. You will be out of your network, and there may be a time limit for being away (e.g. snowbirding to FL or AZ).

Whether to go with an Advantage plan or not is an important decision, so be well informed on the details and how your circumstances

Thanks everyone for taking time to post your comments. I have read and will re-read this thread multiple times as others post their comments/recommendations.

229DAK - THANK YOU for posting the links to the two other threads previously posted on this topic. I will be reading all comments in both very carefully in the coming hours.

One final question please - Let’s say I decide to go with A,B, and G (just using this as an example because we do travel inside the US and also to Germany to visit our son and his family because he is stationed there - Air Force). Should I also look at picking up Medicare’s plan “D” which is Medicare’s prescription drug plan or is this something I should source outside of Medicare?

quote:

With few exceptions your best choice is with traditional Medicare.

All that being said there are supplements to cover the part the traditional Medicare does not, those are worthwhile evaluating. Evaluate on your own without the sales pressure.

You will likely regret signing up for a "Medicare Advantage Plan"

THIS,
My wife has traditional medicare & a Medicare Supplement thru USAA which pays for the 20% plus yearly hospital deductable. Last Dec she collapsed & with out the details of the 5 surgeries she spent 2 months in intensive care, 1 month in skilled nursing & subsequent home care. Undiscounted billings were about $1,200,000. My total cost has been $240.00. My mother had an "Advantage plan" which I had to pay hospitals over $10000 from her estate when she passed.

quote:

Originally posted by alreadydead:
What these people are trying to do is to seduce you into buying one of their plans. They make a lot of money doing this. They camouflage it real well with names like Medicare Advantage, Humana Care plan, ect.

With few exceptions your best choice is with traditional Medicare.

All that being said there are supplements to cover the part the traditional Medicare does not, those are worthwhile evaluating. Evaluate on your own without the sales pressure.

You will likely regret signing up for a "Medicare Advantage Plan"

Exactly! I just went through this last year. It’s not that difficult to figure this out on your own. After lots of research we believe the Advantage programs are terrible long term.

It's a complex question and it's important to get it right. Medicare's terminology is confusing ('Parts', 'Plans', 'Advantage', etc.) and its rules are opaque.

To figure out the best move you need to know what your options are and then apply them to your current and likely future medical condition.

I went through this recently and a friend loaned me her copy of a book she had found useful when she had recently transitioned to Medicare, and I found it useful as well: "Get What's Yours for Medicare: Maximize Your Coverage, Minimize Your Costs"

My recommendation is that you go to the library and borrow a copy, or spring $13 for a Kindle version, read through it and make notes on the aspects that apply to your particular situation.

What I then did was find a local agent that handled various supplement options and look into costs and providers. Mine was knowledgeable and helpful and knowing the rules and terminology helped me understand the information he provided and make a reasonable set of choices.

I am happy as to where I wound up and I hope you will be also.

“SHIP” program. Unbiased advice, won’t try to sell you anything, they can’t. Excellent resource. Government sponsored
LINK go here read it and then select your state.

Best wishes to you.
.

quote:

Should I also look at picking up Medicare’s plan “D” which is Medicare’s prescription drug plan or is this something I should source outside of Medicare?

If I'm not mistaken, you have to; it's a requirement. For me, it's $.46/ month. Yes, 46 cents. I take a statin and a acid reflux med. My D plan is Wellcare.

quote:

Should I also look at picking up Medicare’s plan “D” which is Medicare’s prescription drug plan or is this something I should source outside of Medicare?

I think it will depend on what plan you elect to get.