Selecting the Right Plan

[donsabi]

After reading all the information on MA vs medigap I think I know which one is best for me but I would like some opinions.

I am 69 and a veteran entitled to some VA medical care and prescriptions.
I only take three meds two of which are provided by the VA and the other is a generic BP med. I am in good health for my age, active, exercising, and only a few pounds overweight. I see and ENT twice a year, an ophthalmologist twice a year, and average 6-8 GP OV's per year.

Before moving to my current area I had AARP Advantage plan and was happy with that. Once I moved here and was told no MA plans were available I selected a Medigap Plan N. I was paying about $100/month for the Plan N and $0 for the Advantage plan. My co-pays are close to the same with either plan. I also had to spend $15 more per month for prescription drug coverage while on the Medigap plan. The drug co-pays are very close too. I don't travel much anymore and never overseas.

I have recently learned that BCBS Sapphire is available at $0 per month and I believe that is best for me. A Medigap Plan F would cost me about $125 a month.
Comments appreciated, thanks.

 

[mattspits]

donsabi,

I highly recommend MA plans for veterans. They give you the best of both worlds. You gain access to additional physicians/hospital, and you receive additional drug benefits as well. Not to mention sometimes you also receive vision, hearing, and dental benefits. Since Medicare considers VA drugs to be creditable coverage, you do not have to have a Medicare drug plan. This means that you can join an MA-Only plan which does not offer drug coverage, or you can join an MAPD plan which does offer drug coverage. The difference is usually in the plan benefits. Usually, the MA-Only plans can offer more robust benefits because they do not have to pay to cover drugs. Just remember that if do have a Medicare drug plan that they act separate from your VA benefits. You will have to fill your VA drugs through the VA, and you will have to fill your civillian written prescriptions through your drug plan. If you will give me your zipcode, I'll be glad to research the plans available to you in your area. Also, I do offer a free mini-course on my blog below if you would like additional information on supplements and MA plans.

thanks, Matt

 

[donsabi]

Matt,

Thanks for you post. I am in 38558 and I think the only MA plan in my area is Blue Advantage Sapphire. I have read up on the plan and think this one would be best for me. I would appreciate your insight in the matter. Thank you.

 

[mattspits]

A quick search on Medicare.gov shows 12 MAPD plans available in your zip code. They offered by Healthspring, Windsor, BlueAdvantage, and Humana