Recent content by MBSC

For the company that has gone out of business, you will need to find some evidence that you had health insurance coverage with them. Your income tax returns from those years will have W-2 wage statements attached and the W-2 may include the value of the health insurance benefit in Box 12 labeled...

You need to have all 3 employers each complete a separate CMS Form L564 like the one below. This will prove you had continuous coverage all 17 years to avoid the Part B late enrollment penalty. Form L564: https://www.cms.gov/medicare/cms-forms/cms-forms/downloads/cms-l564e.pdf Technically...

You need to pass medical underwriting in order to change plans in most states. Most Medigap plans have taken large increases this year due to increased demand for medical care. It looks like the trend will continue next year. If you can get a lower rate with Medico/Wellable, it will buy you a...

Assuming Medicare part A is free due to my eligibility of 40 quarters? Yes. When I start Social Security at 62, am I automatically enrolled in Part A and B at the same time? No, you will be automatically enrolled in Parts A & B at 65 if you are receiving SS benefits. You will receive your...

Yes, I would avoid MOO. It's just a matter of time before they close the current book of business causing rates to increase for those who cannot switch.

I have not heard anything bad about Manhattan Life. I do believe Plan N is a better value than G for most people. Good luck.

Unhealthy people aging in to Medicare typically stick to the names they have heard of. The small companies rely on healthy individuals to choose them, so their pool of enrollees are usually healthier and the company can pass those savings on in the form of lower rates. Companies that are new to...

Call your state's Dept. of Insurance for rate increase history. If they can't get what you are looking for, see the link in the post below. https://mymedicareforum.com/threads/plan-f-and-plan-n.10092/page-2#post-11397

It would help to know the state you live in and if your personal health/family history indicate a shorter/longer than average life expectancy. In the interim, I will provide some general information that may or may not apply to your specific situation. I agree with choosing Plan N over G. All...

I am sorry to hear about your wife. She should definitely keep the F-HD supplement plan. If she falls and breaks a bone, it will be covered under the regular Medicare benefit, not the hospice benefit. The Part D plan decision is not as clear cut. I suggest you discuss this with the hospice...

An update to the response in post #2. For 2024, Part D drug plans will no longer have a 5% coinsurance after the catastrophic cap is met. The catastrophic cap will be the OOP max. In 2025, Part D plans will have a $2000 OOP max. The amount will be inflation adjusted in future years. These...

It does to a certain extent. Let me explain. If you do not qualify for a retiree plan that is secondary to Medicare, you can purchase an individual Medigap policy or Medicare Advantage plan. In either case, Part D drugs are considered separate and not included in the OOP. If you choose...

Illinois, Idaho and Nevada are implementing Medigap "Birthday Rules" to allow current policyholders to change plans annually without medical underwriting. Illinois: Effective 1/1/2022, Medigap policyholders age 65-75 can switch plans with the same carrier to one with equal or lesser benefits...

Plan G just became Guarantee Issue in 2020 so it will take many years before enough enrollees use the GI provision for it to make an impact on premiums. Unhealthy people turning 65 tend to choose the most comprehensive supplement available, which used to be Plan F. This is why Plan F premiums...

The type of coverage a person has prior to Medicare, including having no health coverage at all, does not impact a person's ability to enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan during their Initial Enrollment Period (IEP).