Looking to change away from AARP

[arihalli]

We've both been with AARP's supplement plan for years, but the copays have gotten much worse lately. Is it that $785 billion that was looted from seniors to pay for Obamacare?

But we're sick of it, and cant afford it on our low income.

Are any of the other plans better? As good a coverage and less copays?

It's all so complicated and confusing, we cant tell.

Hi, i have been with AARP United Healthcare supplement plan and its truely very very good. I use Part N. Its like riding in a cadillac. Just my 2 sense. I would FORGET the advantage plans - they are nothing but trouble as far as i am concerned.

I don't know if that's available here, but we're also low income and cant afford much.

I understand. But remember that Part N is a supplement and not an ADVANTAGE plan. They take $121 out of my social security each month. I live in NY. And the most i have to pay each year is approximately $240 above that. That is the out of pocket cost approximately. It doesn't matter HOW MUCH medical care you need. And i can go to John Hopkins, Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic --anywhere. (Assuming that one goes to medicare providers). You don't have to go to in network providers.

Sometimes what APPEARS to be the cheaper plan might not be so. Food for thought.

 

[MamaBear2015]

We've both been with AARP's supplement plan for years, but the copays have gotten much worse lately. Is it that $785 billion that was looted from seniors to pay for Obamacare?

But we're sick of it, and cant afford it on our low income.

Are any of the other plans better? As good a coverage and less copays?

It's all so complicated and confusing, we cant tell.

Hi, i have been with AARP United Healthcare supplement plan and its truely very very good. I use Part N. Its like riding in a cadillac. Just my 2 sense. I would FORGET the advantage plans - they are nothing but trouble as far as i am concerned.

I don't know if that's available here, but we're also low income and cant afford much.

I understand. But remember that Part N is a supplement and not an ADVANTAGE plan. They take $121 out of my social security each month. I live in NY. And the most i have to pay each year is approximately $240 above that. That is the out of pocket cost approximately. It doesn't matter HOW MUCH medical care you need. And i can go to John Hopkins, Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic --anywhere. (Assuming that one goes to medicare providers). You don't have to go to in network providers.

Sometimes what APPEARS to be the cheaper plan might not be so. Food for thought.

It may be different here. Jennifer has been on the phone with AARP for over a half hour now, been transferred 4 times, and from what she's found out so far, it may cost $250 a month extra for each of us, we'd have to get a separate drug plan, AND if we got too sick it wouldn't cover that.

 

[MBSC]

UHC/AARP Secure Horizons in zip code 80226 is a Medicare Advantage HMO. If you have been in the plan over a year and are not very healthy, it will be difficult to find a Medigap (Medicare Supplement). If you do happen to find one, they will charge you the 'standard' premium which is higher than the 'preferred' rate tier given to those who choose Medigap at initial enrollment.

Medigap plans do require the purchase of a separate Part D drug plan at additional expense. I think the part about being "too sick" refers to the donut hole in Part D coverage where you become responsible for most of the cost.

I usually don't suggest Medicare Advantage plans except to those who are low income and it sounds like MamaBear fits that scenario. There are better plans but you pay more for the better plans.

 

[MamaBear2015]

From what we just gathered, being on the phone with United Healthcare / AARP for something like 90 minutes, the N plan throws you back into Medicare as your primary - NOT GOOD because a lot of doctors won't accept medicare anymore, plus you need a separate drug plan.

But they also told me about an F plan, which I can get, being over 65, but Jennifer cant, being on SSD and under that age. But that would require an additional $160 a month and give no copays. I just don't think our present copays come anywhere near $160 a month.

SO unless some other company has something much better than this, I'm afraid we're stuck.

 

[arihalli]

From what we just gathered, being on the phone with United Healthcare / AARP for something like 90 minutes, the N plan throws you back into Medicare as your primary - NOT GOOD because a lot of doctors won't accept medicare anymore, plus you need a separate drug plan.

But they also told me about an F plan, which I can get, being over 65, but Jennifer cant, being on SSD and under that age. But that would require an additional $160 a month and give no copays. I just don't think our present copays come anywhere near $160 a month.

SO unless some other company has something much better than this, I'm afraid we're stuck.

---

MamaBear:

1) Have you met any MD's that won't take medicare? I haven't met one. I haven't seen a hospital either that won't take medicare. I think you should check that.
2) On Medicare Advantage, the company is primary and Medicare is secondary. On Medigap its reversed. But its no matter. On Part N, whatever Medicare doesn't cover -- Part N will. Practically everything. There are some small copays of $20. And there is the first $147 of deductible. But then you can sleep knowing you have full coverage.
3) On Medigap, its true one needs Part D drug coverage. And if you take a lot of meds as MSBC or Mattspits? mentioned you have to look for the best. The entire senior PART D and pharmacy needs for seniors is unfair. Unless you work for Big Pharma
4) What i would suggest because you need to do this fast (Dec 7th) is to call the senior center and have them refer you to Actions for Older People (or something like that) so someone can help you review your options.
You still have time to get Medigap if you wish.
I think that Mattspits has a fine site that will explain the costs as well if i remember.
Its not easy but not that hard once you understand the options.

 

[MBSC]

(snip)... On Part N, whatever Medicare doesn't cover -- Part N will. Practically everything. There are some small copays of $20. And there is the first $147 of deductible.

Trying viewing it from this perspective. MamaBear's current MA plan is already like Medigap Plan N plus Part D. But, in exchange for $0 premium, she has an HMO network and would pay a portion of inpatient hospital services with an out of pocket limit. A constant Medigap premium is a financial burden but could set up a payment plan with the hospital that fits within the budget.

I personally dispise MA plans. But, they are useful in financial situations where the alternative is Original Medicare and no Medigap and no Part D.

Otherwise, I agree with spending $1500 annually on Plan N for the broader network and complete hospital coverage and $300 on Part D.