Medicare Seminars

[headusher]

Good morning,

I am new to this site and hope to find out as much as possible about Medicare. I live in No VA, I am 65 and will be retiring this summer when I hit 66. I have already signed up for Part A and deferred Part B because I still have insurance with my employer. I see so many options available to me with the Supplemental Plans and all the various Medicare Parts -B, D, E, F, etc. Are the Medicare seminars available that are given by uninterested parties, not by specific companies that sell the different supplemental plans? I'd like to have someone explain the difference between several Plans without being biased.

 

[Mack]

Good morning,

I am new to this site and hope to find out as much as possible about Medicare. I live in No VA, I am 65 and will be retiring this summer when I hit 66. I have already signed up for Part A and deferred Part B because I still have insurance with my employer. I see so many options available to me with the Supplemental Plans and all the various Medicare Parts -B, D, E, F, etc. Are the Medicare seminars available that are given by uninterested parties, not by specific companies that sell the different supplemental plans? I'd like to have someone explain the difference between several Plans without being biased.

Welcome!

I don't know if you will find any "seminar" given by insurance company reps that are not biased toward their products.

However the supplement plans such as Plan A, F, N, etc. are all the same, they must be as the coverage is dictated by Medicare. The only difference would be the price charged by the insurer, and of course customer service (good or bad).

I suggest you concentrate first on the plan you might want and then go shopping for insurance companies.

 

[arihalli]

Hello Headusher.

I agree with all Mack mentioned. The different Parts are the same for each company. Only the prices are different.
But i would suggest you get a good broker from the Internet. I got one and she explained everything there was to know about the different Parts (A thru N). And she explained Advantage plans as well.
I ended up with Plan N. It seems to be almost the exact same as Plan F. With Plan F you are covered completely it appears (as long as the MD or facility takes Medicare) And Plan N saves a few bucks if you don't need to see an MD very much. Else they are very similar and, i think, excellent medical coverage.
The broker doesn't cost you a penny. If you sign up thru a plan WITH THEM --- then they get a commission. Hope this helps.

 

[headusher]

Thanks for the responses everyone. Since my original post my employer has decided to offer a post 65 Medicare Advantage healthcare plan available upon retirement (and 65 years of age) to its employees beginning this July. Would a broker (as suggested) want to or could he/she compare my company's post 65 plan to what is available under other plans? The new plan would be an extension of the plan currently offered by my employer (Anthem BC/BS). Any other suggestion on how to accomplish this comparison will be appreciated.

 

[mattspits]

Hey,

Yes, a broker will definitely be willing to compare your company's offering to the general market. A good honest one will tell you if your plan is better, and one who's not will try to steer you away from your and into one of theirs. I would caution against online brokers. If you enter your information into the wrong website, you will be harassed constantly by multiple companies wanting your business.

1. I would definitely compare what your employer is offering to what is on the private market. I have not seen very many employer offered Medicare Advantage plans that are worth much. Many of them charge a monthly fee, and the benefits are less than desirable. Many times you can find an MA plan that is better than the employer offered plan.

2. I would recommend doing the research yourself. I run a blog that allows you to compare Medicare Advantage plans in your area by simply entering your zip code. There are also several other sites that do the same thing as well.

3. If you go with a broker, find a local one that truly offers all of the plans in your area, and avoid the ones that only work with one or two companies. Find a referral from a friend if at all possible.

Matt

 

[headusher]

Thank you for the input.

One more question. There is a real possibility that we will be moving to another state shortly after I retire. How does this affect a supplemental plan when picked in one state after moving to a different state?

 

[mattspits]

If you choose a Medicare supplement you will be able to keep your coverage, but your premium could be affected.

If you choose a group plan through your employer, you will likely be able to keep it, but you would have to ask them for sure.

If you choose a Medicare Advantage plan, you will have to change your coverage. The plans are county specific. Some companies offer plans all over the country; if the plan you have is available in the new location, you will be able to keep it, but you will still have to have the company make changes based on your new location.

 

[headusher]

If you choose a Medicare supplement you will be able to keep your coverage, but your premium could be affected.

If you choose a group plan through your employer, you will likely be able to keep it, but you would have to ask them for sure.

If you choose a Medicare Advantage plan, you will have to change your coverage. The plans are county specific. Some companies offer plans all over the country; if the plan you have is available in the new location, you will be able to keep it, but you will still have to have the company make changes based on your new location.

Thanks again

 

[MBSC]

I don't know if you will find any "seminar" given by insurance company reps that are not biased toward their products.

Some are classified as educational seminars where CMS regulates what the agents can say. You can search "Medicare Seminar" on Youtube to view one of these from 2014.