In This Open Enrollment Period, Which Plan Is Better – Medicare + Medigap, or Medicare Advantage?
Category: Medicare
October 17, 2022 – Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period just started on the 15th, and runs through Dec. 7. In case you forgot to enroll in Medicare when you first became eligible, now is when you can sign up for it, and either avoid a penalty, or minimize it, if you waited too long. This period is also your opportunity to evaluate if the plan you have is still the best one for you, and change if not.
To help with that we have updated our popular article comparing traditional Medicare + Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage plans. There is a lot to consider, and we think the Q and A format will help give you enough information to make an informed decision. Check it out, along with the over 70 Comments made to the original!
Comments on "In This Open Enrollment Period, Which Plan Is Better – Medicare + Medigap, or Medicare Advantage?"
Beebs says:
Does anyone have an advantage plan and are satisfied with it? If so, what company are you with?
HEF says:
DH and I were enrolled with Blue Cross/Blue Shield of TN when we moved to Maine. As we became eligible we pretty much just rolled into Anthem's Medicare Advantage Plan (the BC/BS franchisee here). We have had no trouble with doctors. He has had a hip replacement and I have had both knee joints replaced, just this past year. The costs to us were minimal! We're very happy with it.
Clyde says:
I’ve had AARP UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage PPO for the last several years and have been very satisfied with it. Mine is issued in Palm Beach County, FL, and has always had a $0 monthly premium. I have $0 copays on all PCP visits and specialists are $35, no referral required. The maximum out of pocket (MOOP) annually is $3400 in network and $5100 out of network, with all medical costs beyond the MOOPs covered with no cap. It has a huge network of providers and facilities throughout the country. Advantage plans vary from county to county. I’m not trying to convince anyone one way or the other, just answering Beebs’ post. The question of which type of Medicare plan is better should generally be looked at in this manner: it’s not which type of the two plans is better; it’s which type is better for you.
Clyde says:
I should add that the $0 premium for my MA plan includes basic vision, dental and hearing services at no cost. I estimate this saves me about $300-400 annually. Also, Medicare Plan D drug coverage is built in to my MA plan, with most generics provided through the mail order pharmacy at no cost. Local pharmacies are covered at low-cost negotiated prices.
Jennifer says:
Many people in DC are happy with Kaiser's Advantage plan. I have heard no complaints except they are not covered when they travel they tell me.
JoeG says:
We have a Med Advantage plan from UHC, subsidized by my former employer. It doesn't have dental coverage, but aside from that we're very happy with it.
Louise says:
What I don't understand is people choosing Medicare Advantage because they have little to no health problems now. As we all know, health issues can hit any of us at any moment. The older you get; things can change with a blink of an eye. You don't have to feel sick, but you could have a serious ailment at any time. For instance, the Hub was diagnosed with prostate cancer when we were on Obamacare. Lucky for us, we had a very good plan and didn't have to pay a lot out of pocket after his surgery. Fast forward about 6 months later, his PSA counts were going up again. At this point in time, he had transitioned to regular Medicare with Plan F Medigap. His radiation which was very lengthy didn't cost us a penny with the two plans. He was new to Medicare and Plan F. He knew he had a preexisting condition and would never get on Medigap, Plan F had he not taken it right away. He was just a little over 65 years old. So, personally, I would not go the cheaper route because you are healthy. Like car insurance, no one expects to get in a car crash, but it happens when you least expect it. No doubt it stinks to pay the high cost of Plan F or one of the other similar plans but when the time comes to use it, you will have enough to worry about with your health issues and who needs to worry about insurance on top of all that. I think the insurance companies have it all figured out. You will pay now, or you will pay later. But you will pay. All I can say is, be very mindful of what you buy and what you can afford.
Clyde says:
I’ve been on Medicare Advantage since I turned 65 nine years ago. (AARP United Healthcare Choice PPO). During that time, I haven’t had too many health issues. However, in August I went to the emergency room with septic shock and was hospitalized for several days. I had a team of 4-5 doctors looking after me. The hospital bill, including the hospital doctors, was just over $56,000. My share under MA: 0. And this was in the highest rated hospital in the area (900 beds). So this is an example of needing significant medical care several years after beginning MA. Also, my $0 premium plan has a maximum out of pocket of $3400 annually, after which all medical expenses are paid 100%. MA certainly isn’t for everyone, but my experience has been excellent with my particular plan.