Question For Older Smokers Here. Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage?

[agnosticpipe]

My wife and I have been on Medicare for many years, but we've been thinking about switching to Medicare Advantage to gain coverage for Dental, Vision, Hearing, etc. But our primary doctor warned that we might run into the problem of finding doctors close by that will accept the Advantage program. We live in a rural area with only small towns close by, and would have to drive more than an hour to a bigger city.
So how many of you folks use the original Medicare or use Medicare Advantage? Maybe this is a bad year to switch. Any advice appreciated.

 

[mso489]

I have not studied the plans to give an answer, but I'd be cautious. This is open season for what amount to Medicare supplemental plans, and all of the health insurance companies are on the warpath to gain clients. It infuriates me that one of the television ads impersonates the colors and layout of the Medicare card and other literature and give the impression that they are part of Medicare rather than a private business. You know they are crooked on the face of it. My supplemental is a federal BCBS plan that has done very well thorough some major health situations, so I would have to study long and hard to change. I wouldn't sign up for anything over the phone or online without consulting with a disinterested knowledgeable person. Don't assume Medicare Advantage is part of Medicare; I don't know, but I suspect not.

 

[sablebrush52]

But our primary doctor warned that we might run into the problem of finding doctors close by that will accept the Advantage program.

That's interesting. I wonder why that would be. An advantage plan isn't a substitute for Medicare, it's a supplement to it.

When I retire, probably at the end of next year, I automatically get the choice of one of several advantage plans at no cost to me. But I need to have my Part B active.

 

[BROBS]

I believe AARP offers a great and trustworthy supplemental plan. ?

 

[agnosticpipe]

That's interesting. I wonder why that would be. An advantage plan isn't a substitute for Medicare, it's a supplement to it.

When I retire, probably at the end of next year, I automatically get the choice of one of several advantage plans at no cost to me. But I need to have my Part B active.

Jesse, as far as I know an Advantage plan is a replacement for government Medicare that has to accept you just as if you were a medicare patient, and still considered medicare. I think that because the Advantage plans are actually run by health insurance companies you have to abide by some of their rules. They have to go by Medicare guidelines but can choose not to use doctors and hospitals that are not part of their plan. They also have high co-pays for many things that will negate the lower monthly rates. Maybe you're thinking of Medigap, supplemental insurance to pay what Medicare doesn't, which the Advantage plans don't allow.
Crap, it sounds like I'm talking myself out of the Advantage programs. There are pluses and minuses on each side, and choosing which Advantage plan to go with can be confusing. I was just wondering if any here had any experience either way. I guess we'll see....

 

[dmcmtk]

Well, I would say the starting point would be to find out what plans, in terms of supplements, your existing Doctor's accept.

 

[weezell]

Look up your county Agency for Aging resource. I'm meeting with them tomorrow to sort shit out. They are non-profit and will guide you to the best options for you and the wife... ?

 

[anotherbob]

you have to look into individual plans and find this stuff out. The info should be available if you ask for it. Like what doctors would be in network. Make the bastards work for your money.

 

[lraisch]

My wife and I had been using two different clinics as care providers so we were concerned to find an Advantage plan that allowed both. We went to an independent agent (recommended by both clinics) to evaluate costs, coverage, pharmacopeia, etc. and found one with a zero premium that provides equivalent coverage and much better costs than my last employer's plan did. We've used that plan for three years now and the only drawback is that it is an HMO. If I need to see a specialist it has to be approved by a primary care doctor first. Since you get to choose your primary care doctor this has not been a problem.