This is kind of a spin off from the Healthcare and retirement thread..

I'm 64 and currently under a Blue Cross Blue Shield select silver plan.... currently I'm being bombarded with calls mostly during the mornings about medicare and supplemental plans for what all MC doesn't cover..... I tell these marketing folks look I'm not 65 yet so please quit calling it's too early yet.... they say but sir your need to plan now , let us discuss your options so you can go with our plan....

I've watched some folks on you tube give mini seminars about advantage plans and such but they don't make it clear just how much an advantage plan would benefit me or any other supplemental plan out there... and some say advantage plans are not for everyone... there's so much info this one dude says join my network and I have trusted associates that can guide you through the whole process...

I had someone tell me just take the Medicare plan and don't fool with any supplemental plan.... I was like why not purchase a supplemental plan to cover what MC doesn't cover... then some one told me there's part three to medicare.... what the heck is going on .... is this just health insurance carriers way of fleecing seniors ????? Any one here on medicare that can shed some light ??????

If you take a lot of medicines or expensive ones get a supplement that covers prescriptions. Basic Medicare does nada on prescriptions. MW can help you out on that I imagine.

Usually what happens is BCBS starts bugging your employer about employees who turn or are about to turn 65 about medicare. BCBS offers a plan that is free, at least in Shelby County that is pretty decent I am told. I don't really understand all the parts of medicare myself. Probably need to learn.

First of all unless you filled out something giving them permission to call you they are not allowed to call you. I’m allowed to send snail mail and email provided I have an opt out option but I could lose my license or be fined if I call you outright. Tell them to pound sand. I don’t operate that way because I stay within the law.

Now they’re calling you because folks typically have 3 months before 65 birthday, the month of birthday, and 3 months after as initial enrollment period. I’m happy to help you navigate your different options which are different for everyone based on needs and affordability. I may get a supplement and cheap prescription drug plan for myself when I age in but that doesn’t mean that is right for you.

Right now whatever you decide make sure you’re set to apply for parts A and B so you have your Medicare number when you’re eligible and ready to look at supplements and part D or a part C Medicare Advantage. Feel free to reach out to me and we can talk about how it works. Understand there are all kinds of rules and regulations before I can talk to you or make a sales presentation about specific plans. Sales calls must be recorded thanks to Biden. I also need a signed scope of appointment form giving me permission to go over specific details of plans and enroll you if you want. Also have to wait 48 hours before I can present any plans. You can call me but I need a signed permission to contact to be able to call you. When you’re ready for general questions call me. I’ll help you even if you don’t buy from me.

Yes Jawbone gives good advice. I like supplement and part D for prescription drug plans myself but it’s not right for everyone. Some folks can’t afford a supplement but if you can it’s nice to stay on original Medicare and be able to see any doctor that accepts original Medicare without worrying about networks.

That being said some folks can’t afford a supplement and part D so they go part C because many of the part C MAPD have imbedded drug plan and 0 premium other than your part b . Negative side is you have to use their network usually or if you get a PPO instead of HMO the out of network cost sharing is usually higher. The part C plans will be undergoing changes due to Biden new rules.

I have Medicare and Physicians Mutual. It is great. I've had a neck operation and a knee replacement and never paid a penny.

Physicians Mutual is one of the supplements that I work with. They have different options but again what you decide to do depends on your specific situation and needs.

i get 50 to 60 calls a day . i just bought a phone that'll block everybody that aint in my contacts.


i have Viva it seems the best for me right now

I met with a lady in Stevenson Al. that has an office in the drug store. We decided blue advantage through blue cross blue shield was best for me. There is no cost for it. I don,t know if it's because of my income or what. You definitely need to meet with someone who understands all this.

I have quite a few friends, including myself, that are on the Medicare advantage plan and love the cost and coverage. My cost is only what social security takes out of my check every month and nothing extra for United Healthcare. If you go with regular Medicare then your cost will be what social security takes out of your check plus the cost of a supplemental insurance. My in-laws could save about 300 a month by switching from regular Medicare to Medicare advantage and basically keep the same doctors and coverage.

I have worked with mw2015 on biz insurance and he is a good guy who listened to what I wanted and found me a plan to fit. Im sure he could have pushed me to an expensive plan but he listened to what I asked for. Yall give him a shot; he is a forum supporter.

Just remember that there is no guarantee your doctor or provider will stay in the network with a part C plan. Providers can leave and I’ve seen months of negotiations where a major hospital decided to not stay with a particular plan. You may get lucky and your doctor may accept a particular plan but they can change. There are no guarantees of who will remain a provider in an insurance carrier’s network. You’re subject to the carrier rules and network. On original Medicare there is no network so you see any doctor who accepts original Medicare.

It’s basically a matter of what is the best solution for each individual based on their needs and affordability. I have clients who are on Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plans (part C) and I have clients who stay on original Medicare with a supplement and a part D plan. I explain the differences and they pick the type of plan they want based on their needs. Whatever they choose they are all happy with their choice in the end.

I'm nowhere close to needing medicare but I still get the calls all the time. A lot of times I will ask them if they can give me some advice since they are part of the medical industry and start describing a bad rash or a boil in a sensitive area. They hang up pretty quick.

IF you can afford it original Medicare supplement is the way to go. Especially if you have health issues. Advantage plans are cheap but they have many disadvantages. Call MW2015. He’s a sponsor for the site and a Medicare expert. Personally I have Medicare A and B. I have a Medicare supplement Plan G thru United Healthcare and Plan D for drugs with Humana Healthcare. You have very important decisions to make before you turn 65. Decisions that can affect you the rest of your life. Seek the advice of a Trusted Medicare expert !!!!

Thanks bros..... a lot of advice here.... I'll take it all into consideration.... anyone else here feel free to throw some advice or warnings in....

He’s right on the money especially as far as being a very important decision before turning 65. It can affect the rest of your life. I could talk about this subject for hours given different rules and options and permutations at play. Not to complicate things but one other important consideration is IRMAA. How much you will pay for part B and part D can be impacted by IRMAA. There is a chart with income levels and if you make a lot of money and fall into upper levels you will pay more for part B and part D than standard rates. It’s an income adjustment.

The other thing is getting enrolled in parts B and D on time when initially eligible to avoid a late enrollment penalty. You don’t have to enroll but if you decide that you want to enroll later than when initially eligible you will pay a late enrollment penalty. As an example, my uncle enrolled in part B when initially eligible but not in part D. His reasoning was he didn’t take prescription drugs so why bother. Well 2 years later he was on a bunch of prescription drugs and had to pay a late enrollment penalty that stays with him for the rest of his life. His penalty enrolling two years late was significant and is lifetime. Sometimes it’s better to enroll in the cheapest part D plan just to avoid the late enrollment penalty. The one thing about part D is that you can always change your plan during AEP. So if you get the cheapest part D plan because you take no drugs or 1-2 generic then later on your needs change and your taking 8-10 you can explore other plans with your agent and change during AEP. Better to avoid a late enrollment penalty given my uncle’s experience. I wasn’t an agent at the time so I couldn’t help him and didn’t know at the time. But I do now and can help others avoid that trap.

I just got my moms hospital bill. 150,000 for 7 days. I just had to pay 2,700 after Medicare and all her parts plans she had.

I can certainly afford conventional Medicare with the supplement but after researching and talking to friends I decided to go with Medicare advantage through United Healthcare. I have been on this plan for almost two years and can’t find any reason to switch to conventional Medicare. My agent told me that Medicare advantage ppo has made great improvements and 97 percent of her clients are on the advantage plan and she highly recommended it. One of the disadvantages would be overseas coverage but I’m staying in the US! Most of the doctors and hospitals are on my plan and there are very few things that you need approval for.

Do you have a copay? How much do you have to pay for the first 7 days in the hospital? Can you go to any doctor any where? I have some health issues. Traditional Medicare was the better choice for me. My only out of pocket expense is the yearly deductible. That’s about $230 a year. I like being able to go to any specialist anywhere without worrying about coverage.

I dont have a copay unless I use someone out of network, which has never happened. I know several of my friends have had major surgeries and have had to pay very little. Most doctors around me are in network. I can go to emergency facilities anywhere. I’m not sure if I can see a doctor anywhere but my copay for out of network is very low. 45 dollars for general and 70 dollars for specialist.