I have a practical question about Medicare Supplemental or Advantage insurance. For those on Medicare with some sort of additional private insurance, do you have the Supplemental or the Advantage and why did you choose what you did. Besides those two types, I am being offered a program with my previous employer that is described as neither an Advantage nor a Supplemental.
A couple specific questions I have are, once I make a choice, am I safe from having it changed or discontinued? What if I made a bad choice and want to change later? Would I be subjected to pre-existing condition clauses?
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Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.Welcome to the world of ObushaObombney BONER Ryan TrumpOLINI Pelosi raiding Social Security Trust Funds privatizing it all for illegal wars cash flow....it's not going to get better voting blueREDS or redBLUES duopoly....vote @HowieHawkins20 @H'20 single payer Medicare 4 all people paying the same sliding scale rates and reversing "entitlements" back to F.I.C.A.
GreenAtheist
Level 8
Aug 30, 2019
0
good basic info
[medicareresources.org]
MarkiusMahamius
Level 7
Aug 26, 2019
1
Thanks, that added one new piece of info.
@itsmedammit you should be able to find a licensed agent in your state who will walk you through the whole process. the main thing is, you have a limited time (3 months???) to sign up for a supplement at a fixed rate. If you decide you want one later, it will cost more, and it is underwritten (meaning the company can look at your history and pre existing conditions and charge you what they feel is appropriate). advantage plans are much more flexy. it basically comes down to the stability of an advantage plan, which is great if you have very predictable needs, eg you need medical equipment and appointments and medications every month, and if you have a big provider network in your area so being tied to one company won't be a problem. a supplement plan can be better if you want back up coverage for unexpected costs like paying a big nursing rehab fee, or paying for a bunch of specialty appts in a short period of time. source: just went through some of this with my aunt. note the rules do vary ever so slightly state to state.
I chose Advantage because I'm healthy and take no medications. I hope things remain that way. 
SonnyBubba
Level 6
Aug 26, 2019
1
Thanks for the input!
You're asking very good questions. I'm fortunate that my pension medical included Advantage. Bottom line I pay only $15 no matter the issue & the donut hole is closed on prescriptions. If you're offered it through your private provider, they should provide you with answers. Good luck.
ChurchLess
Level 7
Aug 26, 2019
0
Thanks. I have a couple of hours in on the phone today already . . .
Just names, really meaningless....call AARP's free number, get an English speaking, non-commission-earning person who will query you about your needs & help you choose the best plan for the next year (high drug costs? Upcoming surgery? International travel? etc). They have at least 10 plans to choose from, ranging from about nothing to a couple hundred a month. Far better insurance than I had when I was working at a place reputed to have "excellent"coverage! You have a window each year (October thru December) to change at will...I did when facing knee replacement, changed back the next year to one weighted for drug coverage.....you will always be Covered, just more one way or another....
AnneWimsey
Level 9
Aug 26, 2019
1
Mostly wondering about people's actual experiences with their choices. All the Supplementals are the same across insurances but they differ from the Advantage plans. Probably I will wind up with my retiree indemnity plan, but even the insurance company that offers it couldn't answer questions about it.
@itsmedammit generally speaking,after retirement, the plans any company offers are outrageously expensive with high deductibles as well....I have been retired for a decade, am president ( 6th term!) of an over-60 singles social club,have advised several Members to go with AARP plans for Much better coverage...one gal saved over $600/month, plus No deductible vs. $1500.....
And they will answer All your questions, fully. I would Not get a plan where they cannot/will not answer all questions!
@AnneWimsey I am sorry to inform you that the very same company that sells all the AARP plans is the one that sells my indemnity plan. I spoke with six people there today.
@itsmedammit why would you speak to 6 people? About what? And there is NO "company that sells AARP plans", it is an entity , non-profit, membership-driven, like a credit union, sort of....... I fail to understand your hostility, as well. None so blind as those who will not heed. I am done.
All of AARP's plans are United Health Care plans. Maybe I said it backwards. The plans that AARP sells are all UHC plans. Or, more accurately the insurance company with which AARP has an agreement. Sorry if I seem hostile. Not my intention.
@itsmedammit okay, I think you will find there is a massive price difference/benefits when getting plans through AARP rather than straight thru United H........just trying to save you $$$
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