What is irimma?
It’s basically a way for the government to take back some money if you “make” too much 
Income-related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA) is a fee you pay on top of your Medicare Part B and Part D premiums if you make a yearly income above the annual thresholds.
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You mean that extra $75 for nothing a month? Yeah, that’s included.
The word “Medicare” should not be allowed in those plans. It’s so misleading. It should becAlternative Medicare or something like that.
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We pulled Advantage Plans from the equation right from the start since we travel too much.
I had to ask the broker to price the AARP/UHC plan G, as it wasn’t in his original quote. I knew what it should be by going to the UnitedHealthcare web site directly. The one thing I like about using a broker is that they’ll walk you through the signup process.
Thanks to everyone here for providing links and suggesting alternatives. I’m happy with my decision.
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What Is IRMAA, and What Are IRMAA Brackets for 2024? - NerdWallet.
Most couples will have income under $206K, so Medicare PartB cost of $175 each (plus Part D plus supplemental). But folks nearing or over 65 who will be selling investments (or doing large Roth rollovers) may want to stretch it over different years to avoid IRMAA pain.
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We just signed up today with AARP/United Health for part G. But BRAND NEW (like I didn’t see this yesterday but may have missed it) is a part G HIGH DEDUCTIBLE option. Even had asterisks with NEW beside it. Both are AARP plan and almost identical except for a lower premium but much higher deductible.
Anyone know about this?
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Yes. It’s a Plan G with some cost sharing. In exchange for lower monthly costs, the insured pays the first $2,800 (changes annually). After that, everything is covered in the same way it would be in regular Plan G. With regular Plan G, they start covering once you meet the Part B deductible, which is $240. So you’d be on the hook for $2,560 more with the high deductible. People who don’t have health issues will get the high deductible plan, assuming that they will come out ahead due to the monthly premium savings over regular Part G. YMMV, though - the difference in premiums in my state isn’t enough to justify getting the high deductible plan, but in some states, there’s a big difference in premium that makes high deductible attractive.
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Here, the Silver Sneakers membership is to get in the door of the Y, Rec Center, private gym, or online. Once in, you can take any classes you want. My Y offers silver sneakers classes (which I like) but I can also take zumba, yoga, swimming, etc., all included. I can also join any other facility I want, so can also go to the rec center that is half way to the Y (both very close) if I want to do their classes. I know one lady in my Y Line dance class also does line dancing at the rec center, both silver sneakers for the 'entry fee.
I checked my medicare advantage plan and it did cover foreign travel, but just not transportation back to the US (which could be covered by travel insurance).
I was healthy when I turned 65 so most of the plans covered what I needed. Big surprise 6 months later when I got breast cancer. Things like surgery are really covered differently by different plans but you just don’t know. Today I was on the phone with the insurance company and they advised I check plans before Dec 7 which is the change deadline, knowing that another plan may be better for me now that I have other needs. I guess I’m saying it is not a forever decision.
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But isn’t there medical underwriting when switching to a higher benefit supplement plan (or switching from Medicare Advantage to a supplement plan for traditional Medicare)?
I don’t know. I haven’t tried it yet. I know I can switch to another MA plan, and they are all very different with different deductibles, different co=pays, and different prescription coverage. For me now, prescriptions are a big considerations. I’m just one big chemical experiment.
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Yes a HD G plan has a higher deductible, but Medicare does pay the first 80% of the approved charges like a regular G Plan. Then you pay the 20%( that a regular G supplement plan pays )up to the deductible for the year. I had a HD G plan for 3 of the 5 yrs I have been on Medicare. In my state you need to pass underwriting to change plans.
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This varies by state.
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I thought I’d point out that for people with a high-deductible health plan that allows them to contribute to an HSA, you can’t contribute to the HSA once you enroll in Medicare so you need to prorate your contribution that year. And if you delay enrolling after your 65th birthday then there is a 6-month lookback in which HSA contributions aren’t allowed even though you were covered by a HDHP. See https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/insurance/medicare/hsa-and-medicare
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kinda like they love to stick-it to people who try to save for retirement ??
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Keep in mind that many things about Medicare are state specific. Here in Massachusetts, we don’t have a part G and only one type of supplement.
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And while you can use money that is in your HSA account to pay for Part B, you can’t use it to pay for a Medigap supplement. You can use it to pay for an Advantage plan, though … my understanding is that this is because the regulations around HSA payments mention Advantage but not Supplements. Oh, and you can’t use an HSA account to pay for Part B for a spouse if the HSA account owner is not on Medicare themselves.
Don’t you love these rules?
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There are 3 levels of supplement available in MA, Core, Supplement 1 and Supplement 1A (supplement 1 is being phased out and not available to everyone). Many different companies offer each of these but have to provide the same cover for the same type of supplement thus it makes sense to choose the one that’s cheapest. MA also is a community pricing state which means the supplement costs the same for everyone choosing it regardless of age. Other places have different pricing methods and premiums can be much higher as you get older.
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