Time to get serious with Medicare

[Goldeneagle]

My company provided insurance is ending on Oct.5. I need to get this Medicare thing figured out. I have Part A. Do I need to go ahead and sign up for Part B and then look at supplemental plans?

[Froggy]

Give this guy a call. He can get you fixed up with a plan that will fit your needs. He's helped numerous family members and WCB get a good plan. He lives in Haslet but travels all over the DFW metroplex and beyond. Tell him Dave Weldon said hello.

Barry Moore (817) 846-8979

[Johnny Dangerr]

Do not sign up with any plan with the word ADVANTAGE in it's title...

[Goldeneagle]

Right now I'm just asking about Part B. I have to sign up for it no matter what right?

[tpack]

I enrolled in a Medicare supplement Plan N last year. I was in the dark about all of the Medicare stuff until I watched numerous videos and spent many hours on YouTube. Get a supplement that fits your circumstances. Every single person is different. I had a sit down with my Medicare Agent but knew what I was going to get beforehand. She told me I had done my homework and wished more people would educate themselves on Medicare.

I watched several of this person and other videos. Very helpful.

https://www.youtube.com/@MedicareSchool/videos

[Atfulldraw]

Admittedly, I know nothing about this subject…..

but is it really that difficult to explain in a few sentences??

[SJP51]

Assuming you are 65+ old: Yes, you need to sign-up for Part B. Go here and walk thru the steps to start getting educated: https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-...-with-medicare

Part B is not free like Part A.

I suggest that you will likely want Part A (hosiptal) whick you already have, B (doctor) coverage, Part D for drug coverage, and a Supplemental or Medigap Plan.

Some recommended folks (listed above) to call and they can walk you through it. When you call, have all your current meds itemized so they can find best Part D plans for you.

Another good source of info is the AARP website. You don't have to join just to read up on the subject.

It's not all that hard. Good luck!

[SJP51]

Admittedly, I know nothing about this subject…..

but is it really that difficult to explain in a few sentences??

Seriously??? Yes. It is a maze of info.

[Drycreek3189]

Seriously??? Yes. It is a maze of info.

Government purposely (I think) complicates everything. Why use two pages when you can use 20 ?

[SJP51]

Seriously??? Yes. It is a maze of info.

OK, heck, I'll give it shot. Very quick Readers Digest summary:

Two options: "Original Medicare" or "Advantage Plan". there are rules about switching back and forth. I don't recall the rules.

Advantage Plan: Also known as Part C. Much like your regular insurance. One stop shop for all coverage. Pros and cons. Most folks say it's mostly cons.

Original Mediare:
-Part A (hospital coverage) is free,
- Part B (doctors and such) you pay for,
- Part D (Drug Coverage) you pay for.
- Medigap/Suppldmental Plan: Extra insurance you can buy from a private company that helps pay your share of costs in Original Medicare. Policies are standardized, and in most states named by letters, like Plan G or Plan K. The benefits in each lettered plan are the same, no matter which insurance company sells it.

If you have preexisting conditions like cancer, solid organ transplant, etc. You can be denied coverage. As you long as you sign-up on time and do it right the first time the insurer can't ask questions. Id you have a serious health history read up on this. Very important.

[Goldeneagle]

I just looked at the online form for Part B. Sheesh!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm gonna call my financial advisor tomorrow. They have someone in office that specializes in this.

[huntingfanatic]

Just went on Medicare on August 1st. It is definitely a process to navigate. Lots of info !

[Arrowsmith]

My wife and I have original medicare Part A and B, part D prescription drug plan (I have changed my drug plan almost every year for a better price/deductible) and medigap part G supplement. This has worked out well for us. Another good medicare consultant is Boomer Benefits in Ft. Worth. We live in Iowa but use them for any help we need with our Medicare. They do not charge you anything for their help and will find you the lowest prices.

Their slogan is "We speak medicare so you don't have to."

https://boomerbenefits.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=branded&gclid=Cj0KCQjwt4a2BhD6ARIsALgH7DqF05bRc9AVI6j0pxkNaBOsliOLJqrNDG-cmFqDT9vhml6ADi_7bdAaAuhwEALw_wcB

[ThisLadyHunts]

Right now I'm just asking about Part B. I have to sign up for it no matter what right?

Yes, you need to sign up for Part B as well. Parts A & B each cover different circumstances and you need both to be fully covered. This is an oversimplification but, for the most part, Part A covers in-patient care and Part B covers out-patient care.

I might have them reversed, but you get the picture. Also, will your company be making secondary insurance available to you as a retiree?

And I echo what Johnny Dangerr said, I'd stay away from anything with the "Advantage" appellation. I haven't heard anything advantageous about them.

[ThisLadyHunts]

Admittedly, I know nothing about this subject…..

but is it really that difficult to explain in a few sentences??

Yes, it is. The system, like most government-conceived systems, is needlessly confusing and convoluted. Sometimes, I think purposely so.