USA Medicare Part B , Medicare Advantage , MediGap , - which is the best ?

[lopburi3]

1 hour ago, Langsuan Man said:

Only if you were on the old system, Federal Employees in the Federal Employee Retirement System  ( FERS  ) since 1986,  now pay into and receive Social Security 

Yes I started CSRS employment prior to 1987 so stuck with that system when I retired in 1992.  We are talking about medicare age folks. 

[ericthai]

11 hours ago, gk10002000 said:

No no, I get the Part B and D part.  What I was curious about was if I have them, then later start taking social security, will they start deducting the premiums automatically from my social security or will they leave the part B/D payment setup just as it was?

When you enroll you will have an option on how to pay, you can keep it as is or change it at that time. There is no automatic deduction from SS this is choice given when enrolling.  

[ericthai]

10 hours ago, tweedledee2 said:

Good luck paying that low yearly premium when you turn 65. I got a quote last year for around $400 a month, which was more than I pay for Medicare with parts B and D. 

$400 per month would be for a medicare supplement plan Type "F". Which is this high quote.  This type of plan is a great plan, as it picks up all of the 20% that Medicare dont pay. 

 

You should have medicare advantage plans available in your area. You might want to check your options. I found a plan for one member on here He will have a $0 monthly premium which includes drug coverage so you could drop your part D plan.  Max out of pocket was less than $2000 low co-pays $0 for Primary care provider or a Specialist.  If you want you can PM me you zip code and county and I can check plans for you.  Keep in mind Dec 7th is the deadline to make any changes. 

[gk10002000]

1 hour ago, ericthai said:

$400 per month would be for a medicare supplement plan Type "F". Which is this high quote.  This type of plan is a great plan, as it picks up all of the 20% that Medicare dont pay. 

 

You should have medicare advantage plans available in your area. You might want to check your options. I found a plan for one member on here He will have a $0 monthly premium which includes drug coverage so you could drop your part D plan.  Max out of pocket was less than $2000 low co-pays $0 for Primary care provider or a Specialist.  If you want you can PM me you zip code and county and I can check plans for you.  Keep in mind Dec 7th is the deadline to make any changes. 

I personally wouldn't care about a large deductible, if that is a price choice.  I want insurance for the big ticket items and to insure against being wiped out. Of course if I end up later having some chronic illness, massive prescription drugs, etc.  I might change my mind.  My 88 year old Mom has her supplement through FL Blue Cross, and pays like 220/month.  She hasn't paid a dime and recently had major intestinal blockage surgery, ER initial treatment, then ICU, etc.  Heck it cost me more on my plane ticket to go see her, lost wages (I was an hourly contractor, no vacation time.  no work, no get paid) and money to help my sister who lost time from work and also traveled to see her.

[ericthai]

30 minutes ago, gk10002000 said:

I personally wouldn't care about a large deductible, if that is a price choice.  I want insurance for the big ticket items and to insure against being wiped out. Of course if I end up later having some chronic illness, massive prescription drugs, etc.  I might change my mind.  My 88 year old Mom has her supplement through FL Blue Cross, and pays like 220/month.  She hasn't paid a dime and recently had major intestinal blockage surgery, ER initial treatment, then ICU, etc.  Heck it cost me more on my plane ticket to go see her, lost wages (I was an hourly contractor, no vacation time.  no work, no get paid) and money to help my sister who lost time from work and also traveled to see her.

A medicare supplement plan is the best thing you can have.  Florida rates and benefits (especially in Miami) are very good compared to some other states.  It's based on demographics. If you get a medicare supplement as soon as you turn 65 you can lock in that rate, which a good plan in Fl would be around $200-250 per month.

 

However,  in your case where you are looking for protection against something big happening then a medicare advantage plan would provide that.  All medicare advantage plans have a Max out of pocket limits. I've seen the max out of pocket as low as $1500 and as high as $6500. So you have protection. In most cases you can find a $0 premium and this would include drug coverage.  Drug coverage is not included in the max out of pocket. it operates on it's own and get complicated. I can explain if you want me to.  

The deadline for Medicare enrollment for this year is Dec 7th. However in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Texas and a few other states due to hurricanes they have a special elections period and are able to enroll until the end of December.   

 

If you need help I'm more than happy to answer any questions you may have.   Best thing is to find a local agent dealing in medicare.  They will know the local networks and plans.  I am able to look up plans for any area in the USA so I can advise on your plans if need be. Most plans you can enroll online.

[gk10002000]

1 minute ago, ericthai said:

A medicare supplement plan is the best thing you can have.  Florida rates and benefits (especially in Miami) are very good compared to some other states.  It's based on demographics. If you get a medicare supplement as soon as you turn 65 you can lock in that rate, which a good plan in Fl would be around $200-250 per month.

 

However,  in your case where you are looking for protection against something big happening then a medicare advantage plan would provide that.  All medicare advantage plans have a Max out of pocket limits. I've seen the max out of pocket as low as $1500 and as high as $6500. So you have protection. In most cases you can find a $0 premium and this would include drug coverage.  Drug coverage is not included in the max out of pocket. it operates on it's own and get complicated. I can explain if you want me to.  

The deadline for Medicare enrollment for this year is Dec 7th. However in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Texas and a few other states due to hurricanes they have a special elections period and are able to enroll until the end of December.   

 

If you need help I'm more than happy to answer any questions you may have.   Best thing is to find a local agent dealing in medicare.  They will know the local networks and plans.  I am able to look up plans for any area in the USA so I can advise on your plans if need be. Most plans you can enroll online.

Thank you.  Very informative.

 

 

  

[tweedledee2]

12 hours ago, ericthai said:

$400 per month would be for a medicare supplement plan Type "F". Which is this high quote.  This type of plan is a great plan, as it picks up all of the 20% that Medicare dont pay. 

 

You should have medicare advantage plans available in your area. You might want to check your options. I found a plan for one member on here He will have a $0 monthly premium which includes drug coverage so you could drop your part D plan.  Max out of pocket was less than $2000 low co-pays $0 for Primary care provider or a Specialist.  If you want you can PM me you zip code and county and I can check plans for you.  Keep in mind Dec 7th is the deadline to make any changes. 

3

What are you babbling on about? Comprehension inadequacy. The $400 a month quote for me was in response to "Wake Up's" post where he states he has a Cigna Global Health Insurance plan with a $10,000 deductible that costs him only $1,174 a year. In reality, the policy will cost him $11,174 a year, before he gets any benefits.  Also, I don't need your assistance finding Medicare insurance coverage as my current Part B, Plan F from UHC costs $180 a month.

 

[ericthai]

8 hours ago, tweedledee2 said:

What are you babbling on about? Comprehension inadequacy. The $400 a month quote for me was in response to "Wake Up's" post where he states he has a Cigna Global Health Insurance plan with a $10,000 deductible that costs him only $1,174 a year. In reality, the policy will cost him $11,174 a year, before he gets any benefits.  Also, I don't need your assistance finding Medicare insurance coverage as my current Part B, Plan F from UHC costs $180 a month.

 

I'm trying to help people, if you dont want help you dont need to post.  You said you got a quote for $400 I was stating that is high.  as for the plan he is currently on that is not a bad plan as he's not on medicare yet.  I'm not on medicare yet and my health plan costs me $7800 USD a year to cover my wife and myself and I still have a $6500 deductible.  

[tweedledee2]

5 hours ago, ericthai said:

I'm trying to help people, if you dont want help you dont need to post.  You said you got a quote for $400 I was stating that is high.  as for the plan he is currently on that is not a bad plan as he's not on medicare yet.  I'm not on medicare yet and my health plan costs me $7800 USD a year to cover my wife and myself and I still have a $6500 deductible.  

Thank you, your reply further substantiates the level of reading comprehension you possess. The $400 a month quote in my original post was for a policy with Cigna Global Health for which "Wake Up"  pays $1174 a year for.  (A Cigna Global Health policy is a form of travel insurance) But in your reply to my original post, you interpret that the $400 quote was for a Part B premium.  I guess you also fail to read where I stated the $400 was more than I "pay" for Medicare including parts B and D.   Feb 1st, I will start my 3rd year on Medicare,  Part A costs me $134 and PartB plan F with UHC costs $180 each month.  Also, it is true that I don't need help, but I'll still post.

[Sheryl]

Please keep it civil.

[ericthai]

 

16 hours ago, tweedledee2 said:

Thank you, your reply further substantiates the level of reading comprehension you possess. The $400 a month quote in my original post was for a policy with Cigna Global Health for which "Wake Up"  pays $1174 a year for.  (A Cigna Global Health policy is a form of travel insurance) But in your reply to my original post, you interpret that the $400 quote was for a Part B premium.  I guess you also fail to read where I stated the $400 was more than I "pay" for Medicare including parts B and D.   Feb 1st, I will start my 3rd year on Medicare,  Part A costs me $134 and PartB plan F with UHC costs $180 each month.  Also, it is true that I don't need help, but I'll still post.

Sorry I misunderstood you, it wasn't that clear in your original post that it was for a cigna world wide plan. You said you got a quote last year and it was more than you part B and D payment.  This lead me to believe you are checking other Medicare plans not other coverage, as your supplement should already have world wide coverage. 

 

There is no part "A" premium,  the $134 you are paying is your part B premium, the $180 is the premium you are paying to the insurance company for your supplement insurance. 

[TBKK]

On 12/2/2017 at 10:15 PM, Langsuan Man said:

On 12/1/2017 at 12:05 AM, lopburi3 said:

That should be quite common as many of use on Federal Retirement do not receive social security but can have Medicare if we want. 

Only if you were on the old system, Federal Employees in the Federal Employee Retirement System  ( FERS  ) since 1986,  now pay into and receive Social Security 

I am in a similar situation.

Worked for federal and local government and did not pay into social security but into my pension fund.

Local government removed my medical benefits which I was supposed to recieve under my pension.

Lawsuit by the pension fund to restore medical benefits failed in the court system.

It is my understanding that since I do not have enough quarters in the Social Security System to qualify for Medicare, I am will  not be eligible for Medicare when I turn 65.

Does anyone know if my understanding of this situation is correct?

[ericthai]

On 12/6/2017 at 4:25 AM, TBKK said:

I am in a similar situation.

Worked for federal and local government and did not pay into social security but into my pension fund.

Local government removed my medical benefits which I was supposed to recieve under my pension.

Lawsuit by the pension fund to restore medical benefits failed in the court system.

It is my understanding that since I do not have enough quarters in the Social Security System to qualify for Medicare, I am will  not be eligible for Medicare when I turn 65.

Does anyone know if my understanding of this situation is correct?

Sorry to hear about this. It should be criminal to do that!!!  

 

You have some options.  

If you dont have enough quarters to qualify for part A (40 quarters is needed , about 10 years) then you can purchase part A which for 2018 is $422

 

If you worked any years not for the govt and made at least $920.00 for the year that qualifies (part time work as a kid??) If you dont have the full 40 quarters, but have at least 30 quarters worked then this payment would be reduced to $232. 

 

Are you married? If so and your wife qualifies and you have been married more than 1 year then its possible to enroll in part A under her.  If you are divorced or widowed and your spouse qualified then it's possible to enroll under her. 

 

There are not work requirements to enroll in part B or part D.

[TBKK]

11 hours ago, ericthai said:

Sorry to hear about this. It should be criminal to do that!!!  

 

You have some options.  

If you dont have enough quarters to qualify for part A (40 quarters is needed , about 10 years) then you can purchase part A which for 2018 is $422

 

If you worked any years not for the govt and made at least $920.00 for the year that qualifies (part time work as a kid??) If you dont have the full 40 quarters, but have at least 30 quarters worked then this payment would be reduced to $232. 

 

Are you married? If so and your wife qualifies and you have been married more than 1 year then its possible to enroll in part A under her.  If you are divorced or widowed and your spouse qualified then it's possible to enroll under her. 

 

There are not work requirements to enroll in part B or part D.

 

Thanks for the information.

I have some quarters which I have credit for but not the full 40 quarters.

Glad that I have at least some options available to me under Medicare.

[ericthai]

On 12/7/2017 at 10:31 PM, TBKK said:

 

Thanks for the information.

I have some quarters which I have credit for but not the full 40 quarters.

Glad that I have at least some options available to me under Medicare.

Where you working for the federal government in 1983?   I ran upon this the other day:

 

You automatically qualify if you were a Federal employee on January 1, 1983

[joealx]

On 12/1/2017 at 10:44 AM, NancyL said:

I'll turn 65 in a little over a year, but don't plan to apply for SS at that time.  In fact at this point the "SS full retirement age" isn't 65.  Yet, I do want to apply for Medicare, including Part B, so I have the flexibility to return to the U.S. for travel or a health emergency and to avoid the future penalty for not signing up.  How does someone pay for Medicare when not receiving SS?

 

 

See the medicare.gov website.