Since I’ve just about had it working with rapists and murderers, I will probably be retiring from that life sometime this coming year. Full social security retirement age is 66 on 12/12/2020. I know there’s a lot of smart people on this forum...so I would appreciate any advice regarding supplemental options vs. Advantage plans. My wife takes Humira and I have diabetes (along with assorted other ailments). I’ve done some investigating but it’s pretty confusing. I will have coverage through the Sheriff until I decide to bail.
Any thoughts will be greatly appreciated. My zip is 33909 Florida.
Thanks everyone,
Mitch

Mitch - can't help much with the advice on Medicare supplements as I am retired Military (good ole VA care don't ya know). But I did want to thank you for your service! I have met a few guys who served in your capacity and I know that is very hard and dangerous work. So my hat is off to you and I am happy to hear you will soon be enjoying the other side of the work scene! Congrats on your (soon to be) completion of a successful career in law enforcement! Enjoy the holidays and "Happy Early Birthday"!

I have chosen plan F supplemental...the most expensive. New rate: $283.00 a month, plus part A ($202 for me because of income adjustments) and pharmacy...about $45.00. Thin is, I never pay anything. 4 people I was guardian for passed after years under my watch. All had hospitalizations, lots of meds, etc. None ever paid a dollar.

Plan F will no longer be offered, but instead of taking a chance on an advantage plan, I'd get the best plan you can afford.

Mine is over $600.00 a month. OUCH!

Thanks Randy and Russ. Are the advantage plans not a good choice?

You are taking a chance with advantage in a way. You could be out of pocket $5000-7000 (depending on which plan you have) per year if you have a serious illness. As long as you stay in good health they are great and generic drugs are free and doctor visits cheap. My wife had eye surgery and she had to pay $800 but she is paying $0 per month for the plan (not counting the $135 to Medicare).

Russ, does the supplemental plan cover eyes and dental?
Thanks,
Mitch

I'm in the same position. I've been on my wife's company insurance for nearly 30 years, but now it has gotten so high I think I will go the Medicare route. Gathering info now.
Russ, I'm sending you a private message.

If you have the bucks, Supplemental F or G has tremendous coverage, but does not include prescription, which can be a seperate policy and premium. Many Medicate Advantage plans cover Rx and say they cover vision and dental, but I have found the coverage to be pretty thin in those areas.
I opted for MA this year.
Eddie

Thanks Don and Eddie. Eddie...does supplemental cover eye and dental care? Also, which MA plan did you go with this year?

Don, let me know what you discover please.
Mitch

I hear ya. Try working with the dog lady 10 feet in front of you night after night!!!!!

I don't believe any of the supplementals cover vision or dental. Many of the MA's claim vision and dental coverage....but it is minimal...at least that has been my experience.

Best suggestion, compare what is available locally. You do that with this website:https://www.medicareadvantageplans2020.org
Eddie

Dave, you might have to enlighten me regarding the “dog lady”

Oh, here's the (on going) story:

http://www.synthzone.com/forum/ubbthread...eall#Post483158

She comes in the bar EVERY NIGHT. (Seeing a pattern?) She sits at the closest table to me (10 feet away), and tells everyone who'll listen about how I no longer want to see her.

Dave, I see the connection. The legal term is “Stalking”😊

Well .... it IS a public place. She has every right to be there, but it's what she does when she's there that bugs me.
Don't worry, or feel sorry for me - I brought this on myself, and I'm sure it'll fade with time. My lights will get to her eventually, or I just switch things up and work somewhere else. This restaurant is not thriving, and it actually might be a good time to start making other plans. This all might be a good thing.

Mitch, best of luck in your search ... I know it can be very confusing ...
I am SO fortunate to have worked for 40 years for a company that 12 years after retiring still pays 75% of my medical coverage ... it's a great plan, and includes Rx ...

And thank you for your service in the Corrections industry ...

Mitch
I am right up the road from you in 33952. I have had Humana HMO through Millennium Physician Group for several years with great service and no premium. They offer supplemental dental and eye care coverage that we didn't buy. Primary doctor visits are 0 copay and specialists $15. The only downside for some is that you have to stay in their network of doctors, but the list is extensive.

It depends on ones preferences and circumstances, but the Advantage plans are best for us, as we prefer not to pay for 100% supplemental coverage. Medicare is at 80% basic, and advantage plans, by law, have to meet or exceed medicare, which they do.

Bernie

Thanks Tony and Bernie.
Bernie...would you mind sharing your connection for Humana. You can pm me if you prefer.
I would like to see their plan details.
Thanks,
Mitch

Bernie, My wife and I both use Millenium Physicians doctors. How did you get connected to their Humana advantage plan? Do you have a contact person or phone number? I would appreciate any info you might have.
Thanks,
Mitch

Hi Mitch. You might want to try "Medicare.gov" for one of the better sites to compare the different plans for Medicare without bias. I just went thru many the comparing sites and this one seems the best and most unbiased. I was almost ready to change my advantage plan when I checked on this site and saw the one I was considering wasn't quite as good as the one I'm presently with. Be careful if you decide to have a look or you'll get hi-jacked to the wrong site. Good luck.

Thank you sir!

Mitch, I have good news and bad news. I also have Plan F, with a high deductible, $2,500, therefore the plan only cost me $71 a month. The bad news is if you select that plan, you will never meet the deductible. The amount deducted is based upon what the insurance company approves for the procedure, which is always next to nothing. I spent a week in the hospital, shelled out nearly $2,000 to the hospital for various charges above what medicare paid, and the amount approved for the deductible was about $300. Plan F with a high deductible is pretty much a joke.

Now, eye and dental is relatively inexpensive, and for both my wife and I through Blue Cross/ Blue shield it cost us about $70 a month combined. I just had laser surgery on my eyes and everything was covered.

If you served in the military, the VA is the least expensive way to go. I spent four years in the US Navy and the VA, since I am fully disabled, pays for all my drugs. I usually only go to the VA once a year for bloodwork and a checkup, but if necessary, you can go as often as you feel the need. And, since Donald Trump took office, there is no problem getting appointments in less than a week. Prior to Trump, it took me up to six months to get a routine appointment.

I applaud you for hanging on long enough to retire. I only worked for the Maryland State Police for a year, got shot at by a 15-year-old kid and decided that I needed to find a safer way to make a living, especially considering that I was going to get married in six months after the incident. Carol agreed. I have a friend that stayed with MSP for 32 years, retired, took his pension, but was able to maintain his health insurance coverage through them until this year. The cost to him was minimal, but now he is on medicare and Plan F. You might want to check on the possibility of being able to retain insurance through your agency.

Good Luck,

Gary

Thanks Gary...I too had an option to continue with the agency health plan. But I would have had to stay with them for 20 years. Not gonna happen. I don’t have prior military...so that’s not an option. I’ve been looking at advantage plans and it appears this may be the best way for my wife and I to go.
I’ve just about reached my tolerance level physically and emotionally for law enforcement. We’ll see how things shake out over the next 6 months or so.
Thanks for your thoughts Gary,
Mitch

Mitch...
At age 64 I was paying Blue Cross/Shield $900 per month because of a cancer scare I had. I turned 65 and got on United Health Care Supplement. Still paying premiums but no where close to $900 monthly. Then, at age 66, had a heart attack. The supplement paid for everything. I also had an Rx policy, so the financial damage was minimal. Since then, I've moved over to Medicare Advantage and have had used UHC, Humana and soon will be switching to Aetna. As you know each plan is zip code specific...so what I have done and do may not be the best for you.

Start with www.medicare.gov and search useing the sites where you can personalize your particular situation.

Eddie

My plan F does not include dental or optical. It is my experience that United Healthcare is the worst of the carriers. I use Mutual of Omaha. Way fewer complaints by medical people.



R.

Agreed. My cardiologist expressed dissatisfaction with United.
Eddie

Just realize you still have to pay your part B premium along with any premium for an advantage plan. Most ads for advantage plans don't tell you that.

Thank you gentlemen. I have been investigating a number of options and all of your suggestions have been helpful.
Thanks,
Mitch

Just switched my part F to another insurer. Price went down from $283. to $210. Pharmacy went down from $72 to $38.

This is, supposedly for the same coverage.

We'll see

R.

I found a great app to cut pharmacy costs - Good RX

This alone cut my drug cost by nearly 50 percent and in some cases, 75 percent. Give it a try and compare the prices. It's a free app.

Gary

Good find, Gary. Works great!

Russ

Gary, why are you not using the VA Pharmacy? Saves me thousands each year. It works very well, especially the mail service.

chas

Chas, the VA pharmacy covers the vast majority of my meds, but there are some new ones they do not have in inventory, consequently, I have to purchase them until the VA approves them. And, because I am 100 service connected disabled, the vast majority of the drugs are covered in full by the VA.

All the best,

Gary

Here's my two pennies worth. I was very confused by the programs, but as luck would have it the local AAA auto club was conducting a seminar with reps who were specialists in Medicare. I attended the 3 hour seminar that really did a great job of explaining the programs. I made an appointment with one of the reps as a follow up. Based on my health I chose plan N. That will work for the present and I have no complaints with coverage..............knock on wood I've been blessed with good health so plan N works. My understanding is that during a plan's lifetime you can only change plans one time. Plan N works for now but as I age I may want to choose another plan. Good luck in your search and if you are a member of AAA check out if they have any seminars.

Thanks again to all. I’m still completing my due diligence. I appreciate all the suggestions.
Mitch