Medicare Part B + Supplemental + Drug Coverage?

bigdog · 03-20-2017, 08:48 AM

I will be retiring at EOY, as such I will be transitioning off my employer's insurance.

I have been signed up with Medicare Part-A for a couple years already, and will be signing up for Part-B during open enrollment (not sure when that is ?).

I am also looking at 'supplemental' gap insurance, and exploring my options.
as well as a Drug coverage plan.

I'm not looking for a Cadillac plan, more in the middle like a Buick !
Currently on BC/BS insurance, with employer, and happy with this plan.

There's a million insurance plans/options out there for retirees, and would like feedback from the Forum, on their choices made, good or bad ?

Thanks,
Bigdog

JMR · 03-20-2017, 09:32 AM

I went through this process a few years ago and came down to USAA (if you are eligible, call and ask them if you don't know) or the AARP plan. Costs between the two plans were not that different. Since I have had great results with USAA over the years and like their approach, I went with them. No issues with the coverage, cost or anything else since I signed up.

It is a confusing mess. USAA will send you a Guide to walk you through it whether you use them or not. Sadly, each fall I get inundated by plans trying to get me to switch. Lots of wasted paper.

C Tucker · 03-20-2017, 11:57 AM

When I dealt with transferring my father's insurance from MA to NH when he moved in with us years ago, I found that there are agents who will find the best plans at no fee to you. I'm sure someone supplies the fee, but it may just be that they handle the application and therefore receive a fee. I believe I did get shown several good options to choose from. I dealt with Alice Young at Paige Insurance in Pittsfield.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

Flylady · 03-20-2017, 12:47 PM

Good luck. I just spent the prior three months in reaching and meeting with insurance agents for supplemental. I ultimately ended up with Anthem BCBS.
The reason is they were somewhat less costly than some of the other big name companies, however I did not include the drug coverage plan. I found that the N plan best suited my needs as I am very healthy and travel a lot so this plan best fit that need and allows me to retain my same doctors. In my research I found that Humana had the lowest cost for drug plans...however as I am sure you have learned if you have specific meds you need to see if they are covered. BTW you are not restricted to open enrollment periods for supplemental plans.

One thing I learned with medicare part B is to read very carefully what is covered and not covered. An example is that as part of my annual physical much of the lab work was not covered as it was not to diagnose a specific ailment.

bigdog · 03-20-2017, 12:51 PM

To JMR: I am a veteran and will check out USAA.

To: FlyLady: I currently have BC/BS Anthem with my employer, and will reach out to BCBS for plan options.

Thanks to both of you, much appreciated !

phoenix · 03-20-2017, 03:20 PM

there are two basic supplements types one is medi gap and one is Medicare advantage. Medicare advantage is more of a PPO and could be an issue if you travel a lot( in network vs out of network) or are living in two places. Medi gap will be honored by any provider or hospital that accepts Medicare. Both have advantages. Medi gap tends to be more expensive but for me since I live in two states it provided more flexibility. Within and as well as part D there are many choices but will start with what state you primary reside in as plans are state approved

Rusty · 03-20-2017, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flylady

Good luck. I just spent the prior three months in reaching and meeting with insurance agents for supplemental. I ultimately ended up with Anthem BCBS.
The reason is they were somewhat less costly than some of the other big name companies, however I did not include the drug coverage plan. I found that the N plan best suited my needs as I am very healthy and travel a lot so this plan best fit that need and allows me to retain my same doctors. In my research I found that Humana had the lowest cost for drug plans...however as I am sure you have learned if you have specific meds you need to see if they are covered. BTW you are not restricted to open enrollment periods for supplemental plans.

One thing I learned with medicare part B is to read very carefully what is covered and not covered. An example is that as part of my annual physical much of the lab work was not covered as it was not to diagnose a specific ailment.

I also have Anthem BCBS for part B & Humana for prescription drugs. I have had good luck with both of them.

Woody38 · 03-20-2017, 09:35 PM

My wife and I have been on Medicare for several years. I do not believe there is any such thing as lab work not being covered. Lab has always been covered 100 %. The problen is that the payment to the lab is so ridiculously low.Supplemental may not cover certain things. Look at the Medicare manual for covered services. Our drugs were previously covered by our supplemental (GIC in Massachusetts). We had co-pay. We still have co-pay. As of Jan. 2016 they put us on Medicare D.

I am a retired workaholic and continuing aquaholic.

DRH · 03-22-2017, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty

I also have Anthem BCBS for part B & Humana for prescription drugs. I have had good luck with both of them.

Part B is actually part of Medicare, so I think you probably meant you have Supplemental (i.e. "Medigap") with Anthem BCBS. If so, I have the same Anthem/Humana combo as you and it's worked well.

BroadHopper · 03-22-2017, 06:42 AM

This organization is a great place to find answer for seniors and those who are disabled in NH. When I went shopping for health insurance, they have a chart of NH providers, their costs and coverage. They will also answer questions as to how much coverage you need in NH. I understand each state is different.

Visit you local office. Call 1.866.634.9412 or visit servicelink.nh.gov

Rusty · 03-22-2017, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRH

Part B is actually part of Medicare, so I think you probably meant you have Supplemental (i.e. "Medigap") with Anthem BCBS. If so, I have the same Anthem/Humana combo as you and it's worked well.

Whoops, you are correct. Thanks for the correction.

bigdog · 03-22-2017, 08:30 AM

I spoke to a person from SelectQuote about 'Advantage and Gap' plans, based on living in Mass.... They mentioned United Heath Care for Advantage plan as it also combines a drug plan all inclusive, for a cost under $50 a month.

They indicated that there are many local plans (Tuft, Harvard Pilgrim, etc),
however they do not manage those providers and suggested I contact them directly.
SelectQuote, only works with National insurance providers and not regional.

Does anyone have Humana Advantage supplementing Part B ? Good or bad ?

On a side note, how are folks managing their dental coverage in retirement ?
I still have all my teeth !

DRH · 03-22-2017, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdog

On a side note, how are folks managing their dental coverage in retirement ? I still have all my teeth !

I think the best source of dental coverage information is your own dentist. Different dentists accept different dental plans, so you'd need to know which plans (if any) your dentist accepts. A quick call to your dentist's office should be all it takes to get that info. Then, you can research the plan(s) your dentist accepts.

BroadHopper · 03-22-2017, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdog

I spoke to a person from SelectQuote about 'Advantage and Gap' plans, based on living in Mass.... They mentioned United Heath Care for Advantage plan as it also combines a drug plan all inclusive, for a cost under $50 a month.

They indicated that there are many local plans (Tuft, Harvard Pilgrim, etc),
however they do not manage those providers and suggested I contact them directly.
SelectQuote, only works with National insurance providers and not regional.

Does anyone have Humana Advantage supplementing Part B ? Good or bad ?

On a side note, how are folks managing their dental coverage in retirement ?
I still have all my teeth !

$50 a month! I should move to Mass.!

I have Delta Dental under my COBRA for dental coverage.

03-20-2017, 08:48 AM	#1
bigdog Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central MA-Gilford Posts: 1,443 Thanks: 338 Thanked 117 Times in 94 Posts	Medicare Part B + Supplemental + Drug Coverage? I will be retiring at EOY, as such I will be transitioning off my employer's insurance. I have been signed up with Medicare Part-A for a couple years already, and will be signing up for Part-B during open enrollment (not sure when that is ?). I am also looking at 'supplemental' gap insurance, and exploring my options. as well as a Drug coverage plan. I'm not looking for a Cadillac plan, more in the middle like a Buick ! Currently on BC/BS insurance, with employer, and happy with this plan. There's a million insurance plans/options out there for retirees, and would like feedback from the Forum, on their choices made, good or bad ? Thanks, Bigdog

03-20-2017, 09:32 AM	#2
JMR Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Hampton & Rattlesnake Island Posts: 175 Thanks: 33 Thanked 70 Times in 32 Posts	Options I went through this process a few years ago and came down to USAA (if you are eligible, call and ask them if you don't know) or the AARP plan. Costs between the two plans were not that different. Since I have had great results with USAA over the years and like their approach, I went with them. No issues with the coverage, cost or anything else since I signed up. It is a confusing mess. USAA will send you a Guide to walk you through it whether you use them or not. Sadly, each fall I get inundated by plans trying to get me to switch. Lots of wasted paper.

03-20-2017, 12:47 PM	#4
Flylady Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: So. California & Lakes Region Posts: 256 Thanks: 225 Thanked 106 Times in 61 Posts	So many options Good luck. I just spent the prior three months in reaching and meeting with insurance agents for supplemental. I ultimately ended up with Anthem BCBS. The reason is they were somewhat less costly than some of the other big name companies, however I did not include the drug coverage plan. I found that the N plan best suited my needs as I am very healthy and travel a lot so this plan best fit that need and allows me to retain my same doctors. In my research I found that Humana had the lowest cost for drug plans...however as I am sure you have learned if you have specific meds you need to see if they are covered. BTW you are not restricted to open enrollment periods for supplemental plans. One thing I learned with medicare part B is to read very carefully what is covered and not covered. An example is that as part of my annual physical much of the lab work was not covered as it was not to diagnose a specific ailment.

03-20-2017, 03:20 PM	#6
phoenix Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: phoenix and moultonboro Posts: 1,544 Thanks: 60 Thanked 273 Times in 192 Posts	there are two basic supplements types one is medi gap and one is Medicare advantage. Medicare advantage is more of a PPO and could be an issue if you travel a lot( in network vs out of network) or are living in two places. Medi gap will be honored by any provider or hospital that accepts Medicare. Both have advantages. Medi gap tends to be more expensive but for me since I live in two states it provided more flexibility. Within and as well as part D there are many choices but will start with what state you primary reside in as plans are state approved __________________ it's tough to make predictions specially about the future

03-22-2017, 06:42 AM	#10
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,568 Thanks: 3,199 Thanked 1,099 Times in 792 Posts	Servicelink This organization is a great place to find answer for seniors and those who are disabled in NH. When I went shopping for health insurance, they have a chart of NH providers, their costs and coverage. They will also answer questions as to how much coverage you need in NH. I understand each state is different. Visit you local office. Call 1.866.634.9412 or visit servicelink.nh.gov __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

The Following User Says Thank You to JMR For This Useful Post:
bigdog (03-20-2017)

03-20-2017, 11:57 AM	#3
C Tucker Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Black Cat Island and Epsom, NH Posts: 64 Thanks: 14 Thanked 17 Times in 15 Posts	When I dealt with transferring my father's insurance from MA to NH when he moved in with us years ago, I found that there are agents who will find the best plans at no fee to you. I'm sure someone supplies the fee, but it may just be that they handle the application and therefore receive a fee. I believe I did get shown several good options to choose from. I dealt with Alice Young at Paige Insurance in Pittsfield. Sent from my SM-G900V using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

03-20-2017, 12:51 PM	#5
bigdog Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central MA-Gilford Posts: 1,443 Thanks: 338 Thanked 117 Times in 94 Posts	To JMR: I am a veteran and will check out USAA. To: FlyLady: I currently have BC/BS Anthem with my employer, and will reach out to BCBS for plan options. Thanks to both of you, much appreciated !

The Following User Says Thank You to Rusty For This Useful Post:
Flylady (03-22-2017)

03-20-2017, 09:35 PM	#8
Woody38 Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 577 Thanks: 46 Thanked 110 Times in 81 Posts	My wife and I have been on Medicare for several years. I do not believe there is any such thing as lab work not being covered. Lab has always been covered 100 %. The problen is that the payment to the lab is so ridiculously low.Supplemental may not cover certain things. Look at the Medicare manual for covered services. Our drugs were previously covered by our supplemental (GIC in Massachusetts). We had co-pay. We still have co-pay. As of Jan. 2016 they put us on Medicare D. I am a retired workaholic and continuing aquaholic.

The Following User Says Thank You to Woody38 For This Useful Post:
Flylady (03-22-2017)

The Following User Says Thank You to DRH For This Useful Post:
Rusty (03-22-2017)

The Following User Says Thank You to Rusty For This Useful Post:
DRH (03-22-2017)

03-22-2017, 08:30 AM	#12
bigdog Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central MA-Gilford Posts: 1,443 Thanks: 338 Thanked 117 Times in 94 Posts	I spoke to a person from SelectQuote about 'Advantage and Gap' plans, based on living in Mass.... They mentioned United Heath Care for Advantage plan as it also combines a drug plan all inclusive, for a cost under $50 a month. They indicated that there are many local plans (Tuft, Harvard Pilgrim, etc), however they do not manage those providers and suggested I contact them directly. SelectQuote, only works with National insurance providers and not regional. Does anyone have Humana Advantage supplementing Part B ? Good or bad ? On a side note, how are folks managing their dental coverage in retirement ? I still have all my teeth !