Medicare supplements

[RonJ]

Sorry to bring this up again
What's the story with these no monthly fee plans? There is a local company here in St Louis and I see that Humana says there's no fee for their plan in certain areas.

 

[quneur]

Medicare supplemental plans are bought to supplement medical bills not covered by Medicare. They are based upon the 20% of the bill not paid by Medicare. They are also paid by the government so that's why they exists.

Usually free supplemental plans act as a discount medical plan as they will pay a percent of the bill minus any copays which you are responsible for. Regional plans are normally network-based healthcare, ie. certain hospitals/healthcare providers will charge discounted rates for participants.

There isn't any downsides in getting a supplemental plan as many will deeply discount the charges. But you can sign up anytime but only change plans during the later part of the year.

This all goes away with Obama-care.

 

[oldman45]

I have a supplement with United Health Care and so does the wife.

I have Plan F, which covers any medical expense not covered by Medicare other than medicine.

Wife has Plan J (no longer offered) that covers any medical expense not paid by Medicare and one half of all medicine.

These two plans have a cost to me of $442 per month. Consider my wife's medical cost runs about $12,000 a month, I am happy to pay the monthly cost. Before she was able to get on Medicare, I had the entire expense myself. That is why I usually refer to her as the lady that lives here just to keep me broke.

Get a supplement within six months of being medicare eligible and they have to cover pre existing conditions.

 

[RonJ]

Thanks for the responses. I should have worded my query differently.
How can these plans be free? What's the catch?

 

[H Richard]

Humanna is not a supplement, it is an all in one managed care replacement plan. If you consider it, read the "fine" print very carefully, as there are tons of Co-pays, and deductibles. You will pay less for premiums, but if you need any services, you will be out of pocket a lot more, and it will only pay to the list of hospitals and physicians they contract with. A supplement pays in addition to Medicare all the deductibles and co-pays not covered by Medicare and you will have almost no out of pocket for medical care with no restriction on what hospital or doctor you see. I had about $75,000 worth of medical care this past year, and the only thing I paid was the travel expense to go to a specialized clinic and hospital $100 miles away.

 

[Steve in Vermont]

Humanna is not a supplement, it is an all in one managed care replacement plan. If you consider it, read the "fine" print very carefully, as there are tons of Co-pays, and deductibles. You will pay less for premiums, but if you need any services, you will be out of pocket a lot more, and it will only pay to the list of hospitals and physicians they contract with. A supplement pays in addition to Medicare all the deductibles and co-pays not covered by Medicare and you will have almost no out of pocket for medical care with no restriction on what hospital or doctor you see. I had about $75,000 worth of medical care this past year, and the only thing I paid was the travel expense to go to a specialized clinic and hospital $100 miles away.

Good advice. This is a "wrap around" program and may be available through AARP as well. But as stated, read the fine print very carefully. My wife and I also have United Health Care and pay around $ 350.00 per month, w/o the drug plan which we get through my retirement plan. Since my wife has a medical condition that requires frequent doctor visits/tests this plan is a good investment saving us thousands each year. And there's no restriction to which doctor we see, or which hospital we go to, or whether or not a test is needed. Whatever you do look at several options and ask lots of questions. What we like about UHC is how easy it is. Very little paperwork and they are great about paying. In several years we haven't had a problem and our out-of-pocket expenses have amounted to pocket change. Good luck.

 

[TOM BECKWITH]

Have had Humana for some time in SC - suggest you give it a serious look. Co-pays -yes, but very resonable. For me - free YMCA and medicines thru their mail order free. Check out other similar organizations in your area. I am no fan of AARP for several reasons including Pro Obama and Anti Second Amendment.

 

[oldman45]

The problem is many plans call for a co-pay. If one sees several doctors, it is usually best to get one that pays all expenses not covered by medicare.

None of us enjoy paying the premiums but it is often better than paying a large amount of co-pay or deductibles.

 

[amazingflapjack]

Champ VA

If anyone is a 100%, total and permanent, disabled veteran, your dependants are eligible for Champ-VA-which is a full coverage medical plan that includes RX's and is ONLY for the dependants of total and permanent disabled vets, and is cost free. Flapjack.

 

[quneur]

Personally, I don't trust national providers as much as regional. With regional providers, you have much more leverage if you have a complaint as you can call your state insurance commissioner. For me, my supplemental plan was a God send. Even with medicare, a doctor's visit would cost me hundreds if not thousands. If any one in the Puget Sound area is looking for a plan, I would highly recommend SoundPath Health. I have both Rx (part D prescription) and supplemental with them. Both $0 premiums.

I only pay for dental which is $56 which is optional. You have to ask them to put this rider on.

My supplemental plan has $15 co-pay to my primary. No premiums and no deductibles. Specialty doctors are $35. Then they'll pay a % of services. Last primary visit for an ear infection cost me $15 + $25 total. Rx was around $3 for $50 medication (generic retail). I also get plenty of other benefits like free vision exams + glasses, reduced club benefits, etc.

 

[Leatherneck6468]

I just went thru this and it is confusing. The no monthly premium sounds like a Medicare Advantage Plan. I had one with Aetna at $49 a month. This year I saw that my out-of-pocket for a lengthy hospital stay could have been as much as $6750.00 ..... I use the VA mostly but I want a good alternative to them (had my hip replaced at the Phila VA and it was a bad experience) ..... so I called Aetna and went with a Medicare Supplement Plan (or Medi-gap) .... my premiums are $112 a month but my out of pocket maximum is only a little more than $200. I chose Plan "N".
Well worth it. This stuff is very complicated and a lot of small print. Good Luck.

 

[Reloader]

Medicare.gov is where to get your answers. They also have charts that compare all the plans.

 

[Steve in Vermont]

Sorry to bring this up again
What's the story with these no monthly fee plans? There is a local company here in St Louis and I see that Humana says there's no fee for their plan in certain areas.

Ron, one other thing that may, or may not, apply to you. Make sure whatever plan you go with has a portability feature so that if you move to another state the insurance follows you.