Medicare question

[Helpmeup]

Have any of you switched from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare? I have been on Medicare Advantage for ten years now and I am thinking about switching during the year end open enrollment period. I know I would have to purchase a separate Medigap supplement and drug plan with Original Medicare, which are now included in my Advantage plan. My question is: is it fairly easy to switch from Advantage to Original? Any feedback or advice from those of you that made the switch or tried? It seems complicated but maybe that's just me 🤪

[NorasMom]

I've never understood insurance coverage at all, but it's my thought that you'd be making unnecessary work for yourself. You'd be going from one insurance to two or three. Two or three times the hassles when things go wrong. If you're unhappy with your current plan, then certainly you should change it, but look carefully at the different costs and what will be covered. Perhaps you just need a different Advantage plan?

[Helpmeup in reply to NorasMom]

Thank you. Your point makes sense. The only reason I was thinking of switching is I get tired of using "in network" doctors and needing approvals from my Advantage plan. With Original Medicare, I can see anybody I want. Appreciate your input. 🤗

[Cm0126 in reply to Helpmeup]

Switch to a Medicare advantage PPO plan

[Cm0126 in reply to Cm0126]

With a Medicare PPO plan you don’t need a referral to see a specialist. UnitedHealth, Humana, Blue Cross, etc all offer PPO benefits.

[Helpmeup in reply to Cm0126]

Thank you so much. I will look into those. 🤗

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador]

Hey Helpmeup give MSAA a call, they have ppl to help with that! 800-532-7667 🤗💕🌠

[Helpmeup in reply to Jesmcd2]

Thank you so much! I had no idea they help with insurance questions! 🤗

[Hidden]

Hi I am still trying to figure out what is best, but I wii share this, I was told by one of the many agencies I dealt with during open seats last year that I could not have a medicare advantage plan and still receive aid directly from the pharmacy any more. This didn't end up being true but I didn't know that at the time so I switched to a part d coverage which was the best looking on paper, but ended up not covering any of my prescriptions completely ( as the advantage plan had covered all except vitamin s) and ended paying hundreds in the one month I was on the part d plan

[Helpmeup in reply to Hidden]

I don't know why they have to make it so confusing. There are so many plans and options with different co-pays, different coverages, different monthly premiums. It feels like Medicare is trying to make it more confusing 🤯. Sorry you went through all that. When I became eligible ten years ago, I was told I could only get an Advantage plan because I was under 65. But this year, during the enrollment period, I will be over 65 and eligible for any plan I choose. Hope you got your insurance sorted out! 🤗

[Hidden in reply to Helpmeup]

Thank you for your kind words but honestly don't know if one can figure it out

[hairbrain4]

You will pay more. Up front with the insurance cost. If you pick a plan that covers most everything you can save in the long run if you are planning any kind of surgeries in the future. Just watch the deductibles. I have changed Advantage plans before which was easy but not going to medicare & medigap.

[Helpmeup in reply to hairbrain4]

Thanks for your input. The cost is certainly something I need to consider. As you know, the Advantage plans include the medigap and drug plan in one low cost, and I know if I switch, I'll have to pay for the medigap and drug plan separately. The reason I was thinking about switching is I sometimes get frustrated having to use "in-network" doctors and get pre-approvals for treatment. But I do have to weigh the cost vs. the freedom. 🙂

[hairbrain4 in reply to Helpmeup]

I had the same thoughts & checked the costs & it would cost me about $50 a month more up front & some of the medical plans still have preferred providers.

[BettysMom]

I'm going to post some pros and cons information on Medicare Advantage Plans tomorrow when I have time.

[ahrogers]

I don't have Medicare yet but know (from my wirk as a nurse) there are different advantage plans available and maybe one of them has more in network options in your area. I know in my area several doctors offices aren't accepting Unuted Health Care any longer. My office gets authorization for MRIs, CT scans etc from insurances and it doesn't usually take that long to get. I will ask our authorization people if any of the advantage plans are difficult to work with and get back to you.

[ahrogers]

So the Medicare advantage plan our auth person likes is Humana. Some people get HSA cards to use to buy over the counter stuff. Might even be able to use the card to buy rollators, canes, etc.

The ones she doesn't like are Cigna and Aetna. They are cheaper but don't cover everything and restrict where you can have imaging such as MRIs. Authorization for scans can take a long time. I think Cigna offers the HSA card though.

I hope this helps

[Helpmeup in reply to ahrogers]

Yes, it does. Thank you for the info. 🤗