Medicare what do you use?

[Ed in Tampa]

I was wondering what you all have I know many are x military and have veteran supplements, but for the rest what have you chosen.

I use a gap insurance through Blue Cross which costs about $200 a month in addition to my Medicare payment.

I have been tempted to go advantage plan, most are free and some even pay back a portion of the Medicare premium. Most of these are HMO's so you must use their doctors, hospitals and etc.

I know there are major changes coming next year and I am told the Government would like everyone on an Advantage plan.

So what do you use?

[amboyna]

I have Regence Advantage. Besides the $135 a month for Medicare I pay another $27 for Advantage. This is actually better than the Regence I had when I was employed.

[wa2crk]

Ed
I kept my medical insurance from my retirement from NYC. That plan is now my backup for Medicare. After the deductibles are paid it fills in the gaps.
Bill V

[dusty]

Please don't lose site of the fact that good coverage is at least as important as the cost for that coverage.

Are there limits (ceilings), does it cover prescriptions, what are the co-pays, will your doctors accept it?

I am medicare (primary) and retired military - Tricare for Life (secondary). This combination has served me well. I could not get anything better. My last eight years with all the trips to emergency rooms, operating rooms and recovery has taught me that. I even had four months in a nursing home that cost me nothing out of pocket.

I am most thankful.

[kd6vpe]

I use an advantage via Community Care. I have to use their doctors and Hospital but this is fine for me. I have co-payments to go to the doctor and or specialists. The specialists are more. I only get 80% on medical bills so that is ok as long as I don't get a major hospital stay or other high end expense. But again it is better than not having anything. Merry Christmas everyone. Love Peace and Happiness to all.

[JPG]

Medicare supplement Plan F. Pays all deductables, co-pays and that 20%. Nothing out of pocket. Prescription coverage separate. Ain't cheap(monthly premium). Due to be phased out shortly. I am considering switching to Plan G.

I am fortunate my former employer has a annual 'benefit' that goes to reimburse any medical costs as well as dental ...

[Ed in Tampa]

Medicare supplement Plan F. Pays all deductables, co-pays and that 20%. Nothing out of pocket. Prescription coverage separate. Ain't cheap(monthly premium). Due to be phased out shortly. I am considering switching to Plan G.

I am fortunate my former employer has a annual 'benefit' that goes to reimburse any medical costs as well as dental ...

Yes plan F is going to be phased out but you are grandfather in. However I hear there is yet another shoe to be dropped. The best guess is supplement will go away completely to be replaced with advantage plans. Military too.

[jsburger]

Medicare supplement Plan F. Pays all deductables, co-pays and that 20%. Nothing out of pocket. Prescription coverage separate. Ain't cheap(monthly premium). Due to be phased out shortly. I am considering switching to Plan G.

I am fortunate my former employer has a annual 'benefit' that goes to reimburse any medical costs as well as dental ...

Yes plan F is going to be phased out but you are grandfather in. However I hear there is yet another shoe to be dropped. The best guess is supplement will go away completely to be replaced with advantage plans. Military too.

I am not sure what you mean by that. If you are retired military we have Tricare for Life. That is our Medicare supplement plan and it is free. No out of pocket costs. Prescription coverage is included via Express Scripts. The DOD Tricare program is one of Express Scripts largest clients. The prescription benefit is also free. If you live close enough to a military installation with a pharmacy your prescriptions are free. If not you can use the Tricare mail in pharmacy or any local pharmacy that accepts Tricare. There is a small copay to use those outlets.

I get a weekly news letter from the VFW. I am sure that if there was anything in the wind about Tricare for Life going away they would be all over it.

If you are x military but not retired you get no military medical benefits under Medicare. You do get VA benefits, however, and that is not going away.

[dusty]

Medicare supplement Plan F. Pays all deductables, co-pays and that 20%. Nothing out of pocket. Prescription coverage separate. Ain't cheap(monthly premium). Due to be phased out shortly. I am considering switching to Plan G.

I am fortunate my former employer has a annual 'benefit' that goes to reimburse any medical costs as well as dental ...

Yes plan F is going to be phased out but you are grandfather in. However I hear there is yet another shoe to be dropped. The best guess is supplement will go away completely to be replaced with advantage plans. Military too.

I guess I would have to ask "Just where do you get your False News", Ed? When you make statements like these, please provide at least references to your sources.

https://medicare.com/medicare-advantage ... hased-out/ Read more than the head lines. Avoid being likened unto today's Media.

[JPG]

I do not see where that contradicts anything Ed posted.

I know for sure Supplement Plan F will only be available to those already participating starting 2020.