Monty-Rob wrote: I turned 65 on June 4th and medicare started on the 1st. I looked at supplemental plans like AARP and some others but ended up with the Bankers Life and Casualty plan. I have Plan J at a monthly rate of $143. I believe AARP and Humana are much higher. Basically I have zero cost out of my pocket for any medical expenses. I also signed up for Part D the perscription drug plan with another company, First Health, at $15 per month which Bankers suggested since they had the best rate.
I appreciate your input, Monty-Rob. In my case I don't mind some out-of-pocket expenses since I have the money and excellent health to boot so I'd rather pay a lower monthly premium overall. I will check out the companies you mentioned just to see what they have to offer. Thanks...
Mr. Ed (fulltiming since 1987)
2007 Hitchhiker II LS Model 29.5 LKTG
2007 Dodge Ram 3500/6.7 CTD/QC/4X4/SB/SRW/6-speed man/Big Horn edition
mr. ed wrote: Thanks for the replies, folks. Looks like I'll stick with the original Medicare A & B and decide on an appropriate Medigap plan. I had a strong feeling the original plan would be the right way to go for a fulltimer. You folks confirmed that...
With Aetna it covers everything no Medigap needed.
Prescriptions for generic meds are $1 and brand names $4...
Bob & Nadine 1984 Allegro 23 feet, always at home!
Living Life With a "Golden Age Passport"
and Thousand Trails VIP Membership, Priceless!.
Not sure what Happy Trails means? Sounds like you don't have a supplemental plan but you do have the Part D? Is that correct and if so what are your rates?
I have an AARP supplement plans which has worked very well of me and we have
a separate policy on my wife who does not yet qualify for Medicare. Both
policies have served us very well.
We have Mutual of Omaha for suppumental to Medicare. And Advantra Coventry RX for drug coverage. Mutual of Omaha cost us $106 a month each, and Advantra Coverntry cost around $45 a month for each of us. We have plan F on Mutual of Omaha and have the premium plan on Advantra coverntry. We pay $6 dollars for name brand meds, and less for non name brands. The Mutual of Omaha has been great too. Depends on which state your residence is located or mailing address on your premiums.
No co pay when you go to the doctor .
With Advantra Coventry you can go to any Walgreens, they are linked by computer. Also if your doctor writes your prescriptions for 90 day supply, or 3 month supply Walgreens will fill it. I have my doctor write them this way with 3 refills.
I still only pay $6 dollars a refill or less.
My wife and I have our Plan F with USAA. as they have had most of our insurance for the last 50 yers, it was a no brainer to stay with them. they also also have our Plan D drug plan (Humana) as well as the insurance on the coach (written through Progressive
Kayo and DW Dale
2004 Damon Challenger 348 Workhorse w/8.1 Vortec) DW of 45 years Fulltimers, serving as a Park Ranger (Interp) for the NPS at Yellowstone NP and Evergldes NP.
What a hoot!
Monty-Rob wrote: Not sure what Happy Trails means? Sounds like you don't have a supplemental plan but you do have the Part D? Is that correct and if so what are your rates?
We have Aetna HMO, they accept Part A & B as total payment for their HMO and there is no additional charge. it includes everything including prescriptions. We pay $1 per generic prescription and $3 for brand names.
We do not need any "supplemental plan."
Plan B would cost us $46 a month, but Medical in CA pays that, because we have no income over Social Security. Aetna covers everything under Plan A & B, so there is no need for any "Medigap policy." One reason we keep our registration on all vehicles and license in CA. We may have paid high taxes all the years we lived there, but the benefits from living in CA have been worth it.
What is being described here by Happy Trails is Medicare Part C and known as a Medicare Advantage Plan.
MAP is basically a privatized version of Medicare and wraps Parts A,B,D and supplemental together. Though regulated by Medicare (payment schedules to service providers are identical etc.) the private insurer is free to make certain changes (with prior Medicare approval) to the supplemental part of their plan. For the most part, the insurers have been making beneficial changes (from the insured's POV) to make themselves more competitive vis a vis their competition. These additions may include some additional vision plans and expanded dental.
MAP, like traditional Medicare, comes in many varieties as decided by the private insurer - HMO, PPO, PFS plans - and with various deductibles and copays. Last I looked, not all states have insurers that offer MAP but most do. In those states that have multiple MAP policy writers, shopping for the best plan may be a bit more difficult because of the competitive tweaks.
With the MAP, you no longer carry the traditional Medicare card (save it though in case you go back to the 'traditional' medicare) but just present you Aetna, Humana, BCBS or other MAP issuer card. There are no double claims anymore to both Medicare and Medigap but only one to your private insurer and you only receive one EOB for the claim from the private insurer making the paper trail to and for you a bit easier. We've been using a MAP plan since 2006 and are very happy with it. As we travel, we find that all the providers that accept Medicare have happily accepted the MAP as the payment schedule is identical but with less paperwork.
All this stuff is discussed in some detail in the "Medicare and You" booklet you receive each year from Medicare. It's an easy read.
I understand that once you choose a MAP Advantage plan you can NEVER go back to Medicare. That's a no deal for us since we don't want to rely on the goodwill of corporations to maintain service or rates.
"Whenever you find that you are on the side of the majority, it is time to reform."
Mark Twain
As I mentioned, Part C is covered in the Medicare and You booklet received every year by all eligible for Medicare. If you check it out you will read in Medicare's own publication that there are number of times you can opt out or move back from a MAP to the Original Medicare. Included amongst the number of options is the annual enrollment time for all Medicare recipients to change their Medicare/Medigap plans which is from November 15th to December 31st of each year. There are other times as well as other circumstances for changing plans.
I suspect that many people believe or rely on things they've heard or 'understood' which is why Mark Twain/Samuel Clements wrote the quote in your sig. BTW, I don't think you should blindly believe me either. Read Medicare's publications.
Offline
