For me it was LOTS of mail.
2 Likes
I am STILL waiting for my confirmation of Medicare B!!! UGH!!!
3 Likes
@jym626 — don’t wait too long. If you don’t get your card, you may have to go local SS office and see what’s going on. My H’s card was being held up because a worker just didn’t want to process it and said he/we did it wrong. H got papers back and went back the next day and had a nicer agent who properly processed it on the spot! You can get permanently penalized if you don’t start Medicare promptly (and H almost was).
1 Like
I think that Medicare Brokers get commissions… just not paid by the client. Per an older friend, some of them do push hard for Medicare Advantage, touting its lower premium and included vision/dental. So I’ve assumed the MA commission is higher.
2 Likes
Yes I know. Thanks
We have a friend who is an insurance agent. My husband asked him and he said the agents are compensated by the insurance companies. It costs the client the same no matter who signs you up. They don’t suggest Advantage plans for many reasons and also feel their clients prefer traditional plans.
2 Likes
In HI many providers refuse to accept Medicare advantage, because the providers DON’T get paid. They require patients to pay out of pocket or won’t accept the patients.
Also, when you choose your plan, this is the time you don’t need medical exam to qualify. For most folks after this initial sign up, you may be required to have a physical exam to be able to get a new plan, even during open season.
Your state Office on Aging should have an office that can provide some free advice—SHIP or similar.
3 Likes
Probably is cell phones versus land lines. Yes, we get the annoying calls several times a day on our land line – a person says ‘hello’ and then it is an automated call. We also get security system calls, hearing aid calls. Yuk. On our land line, it I hear the click for the pitched call, I hang up. If no one says anything immediately when I pick up, I hang up. I like the land line to make some of my calls (my daughters have cell phones from our area so it is a local call for me) and I like to have doctor/dental appointment reminders on my land line. When we move to where DD1/SIL are, we will drop having a land line. Our land line cost is with our internet provider. That will change when we move OOS.
Every once in a while we get a call for OOS realty/property calling about our home, as we are in a ‘hot’ market.
Plan G is the most common choice for Original Medicare. (i.e., not Medicare Advantage). So, you are in good company. The issue (and/or yoru concern) should be with the Plan G insurer, as they can raise rates. Yes, to change insurers, may require evidence of insurability, but that’s not an automatic deal breaker. (or, you can change if you move across state lines…have a condo in Florida?)
Brokers are fine, but like any consultant, they have their own biases.
Have you contacted your state SHIP for a free, independent eval?
Since Part D plans have open enrollment, you should review their pricing & benefits every year as the Drug formularies can change every year.
2 Likes
I have UHC AARP for my Plan G as when we signed up, it had the better cost and gym membership for a married couple. A couple of others were similar rates, so we had options.
Now I no longer need to married couple discount, so have thought about pricing others. What I hate is UHC rates increase in June, not during open enrollment. This makes it hard to compare rates in December as I don’t know what the increase will be. My mother also has UHC, and both our plans when up about 10% this year. For all I know, others do the same, but it sure would be nice to know the monthly at a time I might want to change plans.
My BCBS plan G changes rates on July 1st each year as well. I agree that it would be nice to be able to make more informed decisions. In my case, it’s the only one with local coverage (excluding MA plans.)
They should NOT being using the word Medicare in Medicare Advantage, it’s just plain insurance.
1 Like
@conmama Those of us with Medicare Advantage still pay a premium for Medicare Part B, and also hospice is still covered under Part A (Hospice Medicare). So yes we participate in “regular” Medicare to an extent. My injections in a doctor’s office are covered by Medicare, not Advantage, for instance.
Again I am very happy with my BC/BS PPO Medicare Advantage Plan, which costs $79/month and covers dental, vision, hearing, gym etc. with a flex card worth an additional $700. This is in MA. Anyone wanting more details feel free to PM me. I have posted a lot already on this thread.
1 Like
My understanding is that you can change Medigap (Supplement) policies any time of year. Only Advantage and Part D are limited to open enrollment periods.
1 Like
Changing Medicare supplement policies is described at Can I change my Medigap policy? | Medicare .
For changing Medicare Advantage policies, see Joining a plan | Medicare .
In most cases, you won’t have a right under federal law to switch Medigap policies, unless:
- You’re within your 6-month Medigap open enrollment period, or
- You’re eligible under a specific situation or guaranteed issue right (when an insurance company can’t deny you a Medigap policy). What are guaranteed issue rights?
This confuses people, and many think it means that they can’t switch “at any time.” They can, though … but they don’t have guaranteed issue rights outside of the 6 month open enrollment period or guaranteed issue rights period. You can switch Medigap insurers at any time. Per Mutual of Omaha: You can apply for a new Medicare supplement insurance policy at any time. However, but medical underwriting may apply and you may be denied coverage due to health conditions. Per AARP: Can I switch Medigap policies at any time? Yes, but insurers may ask questions about your health if you don’t qualify for a guaranteed issue right period, when you’re assured of the ability to purchase a plan even if you have health problems.
Contact your state SHIP or an independent broker to verify.
1 Like
As a practical matter, how many Medicare age people would pass medical underwriting to be able to change Medigap policies when they do not have guaranteed issue rights?
1 Like
My SIL passed at 71, and she was overweight with some minor medical issues. She switched because she was in a deadpooled policy, and it was getting really expensive. I’ve been told that the larger brokers have a pretty good idea of who might pass what insurance company’s underwriting.
2 Likes
My husband past at 71. He has a history of CAD and 2 stents.( latest one over 4 yr when he applied. also, just had a knee replacement .
The broker sent questionnaires from multiple insurers, they were different. After reviewing H answers, broker advised H which one to complete. They did contact cardiologist office to confirm and H switched insurers.
Edited to add , we were also advised not to apply during Open Enrollment.
2 Likes
Question for those on Medicare.
We get annual physicals, routine bloodwork is done.
Is this bloodwork not covered once he goes on Medicare?