Does anyone have Medicare yet?

[freshstart]

I just got offered Medicare for disability. I have to decide whether to go with MCR Parts A, B, D and a Medi-gap plan or choose an all in one Advantage Plan. Anyone have any advice? I'm thinking of going with the Advantage Care plan offered by the insurance company I've had my whole life, even through COBRA. But have a lot of research to do.

[sweetana3]

See if your state has a program of volunteers to assist in this choice. We had to go thru ours in Indiana to figure out what Mom should take. Went from 0 dollars a month to a whole lot more. Many were geographically located, had strict limits on the doctors and hospitals, had different formularies for medicines, etc. Needed a lot of help.

Mom got an Advantage plan until it went out of business and then switched to a local HMO type of plan with a local hospital. She is not a traveler and has no significant illnesses and uses only generic drugs so it was ok for this year. Will evaluate each year.

We travel extensively outside the US and want full choice so we are staying with our BCBS plan which is a nationwide program. When hubby gets on Medicare, we will keep it as a Medicare supplement plan. Has been our plan all along. Only decision we have to make is whether to sign up for Medicare B and we will.

[Tybee]

You probably have info already, but does this help?

http://www.dfs.ny.gov/consumer/caremain.htm

[freshstart]

thanks, guys, you both helped

[CathyA]

We got Medicare 2 years ago. DH is better at understand this stuff, but we went to a Medicare advisor and she was very helpful........and she was free, so you might check someone like that out in your area. We have Medicare and Part B (supplement) and Part D (prescription). We found that this was less expensive than the all-in-one programs. So far, our Part B has covered most cost that Medicare didn't. Since DH is still working, we have a separate regular eye and dental plan.
I guess I thought life would get a bit easier with Medicare, etc., but the wife and husband have to have their own plans and you can't access the other's.......unless you have their password, etc., and pretend you're them. I do this, since I take care of the bills, etc. It can get complicated too, in that payment to each place is different. You can choose monthly, quarterly, etc. for payment. We use an assortment of payment methods.........auto withdrawal from checking/VISA/etc.

[freshstart]

with no medigap or Advantage plan, you have to pay 80% of what Plan B covers, i.e.: MD visits, meds, tests, etc. You haven't found that too expensive? I assumed that would be so high that I would need Medigap or an Advantage plan.

[Alan]

with no medigap or Advantage plan, you have to pay 80% of what Plan B covers, i.e.: MD visits, meds, tests, etc. You haven't found that too expensive? I assumed that would be so high that I would need Medigap or an Advantage plan.
I think you may have that backwards. Plan B should cover 80%, leaving the remaining 20% to the insured.

[freshstart]

yes, that is what I meant to say, sorry. I meant doesn't the 20% add up to too much that Medigap or an Advantage plan makes sense?

[CathyA]

Okay. I have to apologize. I spoke incorrectly. I'm going to stay out of this discussion, since I understand so little.
Good luck to you.

[Gardnr]

Medicare A/B are generally required and a very good idea. Part D is pharmacy. A very good idea.

First, inquire as to how MC disability compares to Medicare age 65. At age 65 if you don't take A/B/D you are penalized a percentage per year should you pick it up later. This can be very spendy.

Mom always selected to pay for an Advantage plan. The premium wasn't necessarily low, however as it covered all remaining out of pocket expense, she knew exactly what her healthcare would cost every month and every year.

Get well educated so you can make the best decisions for you!