Surgery

[mowens]

I have to choose during this open enrollment period. I have a tentative plan to retire in July, so I need to make those selections in order to have insurance after I retire. I got Part A when I signed up for social security, but I haven't signed up for any of the rest.

[Del.]

I have to choose during this open enrollment period. I have a tentative plan to retire in July, so I need to make those selections in order to have insurance after I retire. I got Part A when I signed up for social security, but I haven't signed up for any of the rest.

Don't forget the Part B. You have to accept that if yo want it and it's $165/month

[Smit]

I'm going full Medicare in February. I'm still debating which way to go, traditional or advantage. I think in many ways traditional is better but you have to pay the premiums whereas advantage has no monthly premium. $400 a month is a lot of money when you're living on a fixed income.

[Del.]

I'm going full Medicare in February. I'm still debating which way to go, traditional or advantage. I think in many ways traditional is better but you have to pay the premiums whereas advantage has no monthly premium. $400 a month is a lot of money when you're living on a fixed income.

My Plan G is only $140 a month With buying a plan like this you have no network you have to abide by. I can go anywhere I want and none of it has to be pre approved. That's not true with an advantage plan.

[Smit]

My Plan G is only $140 a month With buying a plan like this you have no network you have to abide by. I can go anywhere I want and none of it has to be pre approved. That's not true with an advantage plan.

I think you're right. $140 extra for that kind of freedom is not a whole lot, especially if you need special care that an insurance company might balk at.

[mowens]

I'm not sure you're correct about no premium for advantage plans. It may depend on which company you go with.

[mkd]

I guess my wife can sign up for medicare after two years on disability. That's about 10 years early. Then we can move into our 150 ft^2 straw hut on the beach. (Hopefully tropical and not a Siberian lake.)

[neurosis]

I never thought I'd see the day that the EMCers would be sitting around comparing medicare plans.

[Smit]

I'm not sure you're correct about no premium for advantage plans. It may depend on which company you go with.

That is true. Some plans charge a premium but it seems the majority don't.

I haven't really compared to find out what extra perks those plans that charge a premium have that might make them worth considering.

[Smit]

I never thought I'd see the day that the EMCers would be sitting around comparing medicare plans.

[Del.]

That is true. Some plans charge a premium but it seems the majority don't.

I haven't really compared to find out what extra perks those plans that charge a premium have that might make them worth considering.

If you haven't yet go to Medicare.gov and there you will find all the supplements, advantage and drug plans for your are with the cost of each.

[Smit]

If you haven't yet go to Medicare.gov and there you will find all the supplements, advantage and drug plans for your are with the cost of each.

I've been spending a lot of time there lately.

I'm about 90% sure I'm going to go with Part B and get the AARP UHC medical supplement Plan G + Wellness coverage. $157 a month, discounts for eye care, hearing, and dental, and a gym membership to some really nice gyms.

The AARP UHC plan G price doesn't increase as you get older so that's another thing I like a lot about it.

The insurance guy says with the medications I'm taking Part D will be like $1.00 a month for me.

[Del.]

I've been spending a lot of time there lately.

I'm about 90% sure I'm going to go with Part B and get the AARP UHC medical supplement Plan G + Wellness coverage. $157 a month, discounts for eye care, hearing, and dental, and a gym membership to some really nice gyms.

The AARP UHC plan G price doesn't increase as you get older so that's another thing I like a lot about it.

The insurance guy says with the medications I'm taking Part D will be like $1.00 a month for me.

Awesome. So for about $ 320/month you are fully covered. I really don't know why the entire country is not set up this way.  I suspect this is better than your Group plan.

[mowens]

My son wanted to go with me to talk to the local department of aging and talk about my options for when I retire. I didn't think I needed to but I could tell it was important to him so I did.

I found out that, because I'm over 65, I'm in the group called "Frail and Elderly". (Yeah, I know.) It was really interesting, though. There are a lot of services available that I wouldn't have thought of. And she helped me understand  the multitude of Medicare options. There is a person at the county extension office whose sole job is helping people with medicare. That will be my next stop.

[RobertELee]

I never thought I'd see the day that the EMCers would be sitting around comparing medicare plans.

I feel so young!