Don't sign up for Medicare Advantage when you turn 65:

[applegrove]

For those of you turning 65 soon, please don't sign up for privatized for profit #MedicareAdvantage plans. They are draining the trust fund and were designed by #Republicans to destroy #Medicare.

— Chris (@cs65.bsky.social) 2024-12-05T18:03:36.061Z

[buzzycrumbhunger]

1. Absolutely!

Pharmacy tech here. Advantage coverage is crap—and can prevent you from switching back to regular Medicare...

[FadedMullet]

2. I've had an advantafe plan for ten years and didn't know this. How can they prevent me from switching?

[Skittles]

5. you can switch back to regular Medicare

the problems come when trying to get "Medigap" coverage - they can ding you big time for that

[nilram]

8. Plan B is allowed to do "medical underwriting,"

and that can price you out of coverage. Doesn't necessarily prevent you, unless you're healthy--or rich.

[Ms. Toad]

9. You generally have a one-time opportunity to sign up for a Medigap/Supplement plan.

If you skip it (1) no insurance company is required to issue you a Medigap/Supplement plan and (2) if they choose to issue the plan they can set the fee based on your health/age/etc. at the time you try to switch. (There are a few states which offer a bit more protection - but not many)

So you can drop Medicare Advantage, and rely on basic Medicare plan (which covers 80% of your expenses). You will be on the hook for the other 20% - or - if a company chooses to offer you a Medigap/Supplement plan your costs will almost certainly be significantly higher than if you had made the choice when you started Medicare.

It is not well known, and the government is misleading. You have to dig pretty deeply to find the information I've summarized above - because they imply that you can always switch back to Medicare without expressly stating that you are only legally entitled to the version of Medicare which covers 80% of the costs - not the combination most people think of as traditional Medicare (Medicare + Medigap/Supplement)

[buzzycrumbhunger]

11. It's not that you can "never" go back

I’ve had many patients report that their part D plan told them they were stuck with them for good. Even if you ignore their bad advice, Medicare holds you to waiting until open enrollment windows. I’ve had too many patients stuck with a part D plan only to find out that the coverage is garbage and they would’ve saved more if they’d just stuck with regular Medicare.

Medicare might not be perfect, but outsourcing it to private insurance companies is NEVER in our best interest. Big Pharma is geared toward profit, not actually helping anyone in a meaningful way.

[dflprincess]

13. I think you mean Plan C

Plan D is drug coverage. A Plan D policy is needed if a person stays with traditional Medicare. Still a better deal than Advantage.

[Wednesdays]

3. When I was about to turn 65, I was inundated with mail ads for Medicare Advantage

...some even offering a free dinner at a local restaurant, in exchange for a "seminar" about a Medicare Advantage plan.

Needless to say, I ignored them all.

[ShazzieB]

15. I'm 76, and I still get those ads occasionally.

Especially at open enrollment time, but at other odd times every so often. It's hella annoying.

[GoCubsGo]

43. Same, and it wasn't just mail ads.

My phone was perpetually ringing off the hook for months. I just let it ring. If they left a message, it got erased. I didn't need any damn seminar to enroll in the "traditional" Medicare. It took about 10 minutes, including setting up the online account. The only hassle I had was trying to get my former insurance company to cancel my coverage, since I no longer needed it.

[LymphocyteLover]

50. Yes, we've gotten them at my house... inundated is right. I can't imagine how much money is wasted on these mailers

that get thrown out. But I suppose they must attract enough people to make them worthwhile...

[LetMyPeopleVote]

52. I still get a ton of calls even though I use a regular Medicare plan and a schedule g supplement

[Skittles]

4. I agree, but they have made regular Medicare unaffordable for a lot of people

some really don't have much of a choice - that's part of the plan too

[buzzycrumbhunger]

12. Gods, yes!

At the beginning of every year, I can’t keep count of the number of patients who just deflate when they realize they have to meet the Medicare deductible before they start to pay for anything—sometimes to the tune of thousands of dollars—and they’ve been put on some crap specialty medication that they’ll have to pay out of pocket for over several months before they actually see any benefit.

[Skittles]

17. it's all a racket

I can't understand why I can see the doc twice a year for some kind of "checkup" but it doesn't include taking my blood, checking blood pressure, etc...... what the heck is that all about - seems like for the amount I'm paying, that should be included as part of preventative measures

[buzzycrumbhunger]

22. The biggest pisser?

When an MD prescribes something and the insurance company—which involves NO ONE with a medical degree—refuses to pay for it.

I’ve had a shit ton of stress from a job I hated, no raise in three years, and an ever-increasing list of crap things we had to do because Walgreens was bought out by a hedge fund, is closing stores, and trying to “eliminate waste,” doing shit like forcing us to call at least 10 patient a day—from any other store—and try to convince them to come in for a vaccine or let us fill their scripts for them. I was in their latest round of layoffs April 16, and it’s obviously not going to get better there. Sycamore (the hedge fund) is going to strip Wags down to the bone and bail when they’ve sucked it dry. I was in the latest round of layoffs on 4/16 and freaking.

Between the stress and poverty, I managed to lose a lot of weight—like 80 lb in three months, and still losing. I went to my PCP and thought at least I’d be able to proudly say I was ready for skin surgery, and my doc immediately laughed at me. “Good luck getting your insurance to okay that. I mean, I could put it through but they’ll never approve it. Ha!”

Goodbye and FU, Dr. Shah. Makes me wonder how there are so many people on so many sketchy drugs for weight loss (how is it Ozempic, Mounjaro, etc. have so many dangerous side effects like thyroid cancer, yet are approved immediately?) and how do THEY manage to qualify to fix the aftermath? Is everyone truly paying cash or going into debt to fix what should be considered not only a physical but more importantly, a mental health repair as well?

Whilst everything else around me goes to shit, I thought I’d at least get a long-overdue do-over after 23 years of PSTD from a shitty marriage I should’ve bailed on the second year… (my ex is the reason I recognized the orange bawbag as a malignant narcissist before almost anyone else figured him out). Instead, the insurance I’ve been paying my whole working life is as worthless as everything else in this world.

Nothing about healthcare in this country even makes sense anymore.

[Skittles]

24. oh wow

doesn't seem like anyone gets raises anymore unless they change jobs.....so much for any "loyalty"

also, Walgreens seems to have gone very downhill, the workers seem very stressed

I worked under layoff culture for decades in IT - went through it three times so I know how much it sucks

not good losing that much weight! I too lose weight rapidly when stressed so I would drink protein drinks, that seemed to work for me

I have a feeling the weight-loss drug fix for all won't end well, who knows about the long-term side effects?

something has to give, America is spiraling in so many ways

[GoodRaisin]

23. My traditional Medicare is my biggest budget expense by far.

All adds up about $700 a month (at present) to maintain my SS deductions, G plan supplement premiums and part D prescription plan. It ain’t cheap.

[Skittles]

25. yup

whenever I hear people casually tossing around "Medicare for all" I wonder if they have any idea how pricey it can be

[OhioBack2Blue]

28. Bull

Under a true "Medicare for All" single-payer system, traditional insurance premiums are completely eliminated.

You would no longer pay a monthly premium to an insurance company, and there would be no deductibles, copays, or out-of-pocket costs at the doctor's office. SAVING PEOPLE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.

Coverage is no longer tied to employment, marital status, or age.

Progressive taxes (Greater wealth pay more)

Avg family earning $50k -60k avg tax cost $840....much lower cost for much better coverage.

The wealth hoarders don't want you to have this.

[Skittles]

29. why not just say single payer

they've wrecked Medicare by introducing the "Advantage" scam - time to start from scratch

[Johonny]

42. I think its because scrapping Medicare

Is a non-starter for voters. Any single payer plan has to evolve out of Medicare or you're never getting elected.

[allegorical oracle]

48. There's a possibility that this admin will channel everyone into Advantage plans...

Trump administration officials say they are exploring whether to automatically enroll seniors into Medicare Advantage plans, instead of traditional Medicare, if they don’t actively choose a coverage option (1).

Today, people who don’t make a selection are defaulted into traditional Medicare. Shifting that default to Medicare Advantage (which is run by private insurers) could quietly steer millions of beneficiaries into a different type of coverage without them realizing it.

While the proposal is still in early stages, the change could affect everything from monthly costs to which doctors you can see and how easily you can switch plans later.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/trump-officials-consider-auto-enrolling-seniors-in-medicare-advantage-what-it-could-mean-for-your-health-care-costs/ar-AA24rEoY

[Dave says]

53. Traditional Medicare is far from "wrecked"

In fact, it has been as smooth as silk. It grows more expensive as Advantage peels more and more relatively healthy people away from it. This is exactly what is intended. It’s the cult of death’s (I.e., Republican’s) way of destroying it, turning our future health over to greedy corporations free from much “burdensome” regulations. Eventually, traditional Medicare will wither on the vine and disappear (or so is their intent).

Traditional Medicare spends roughly a 4% on administrative expenses. The other 96% go toward our health. Private insurance spends 17% or more on C-suite compensation, armies more on admin hired to implement DDD (deny, delay, die), and dividends to shareholders. They spend 83% or less on our actual health.

[ret5hd]

47. Less than buy-your-own. (nt)

Aetna, BCBS, etc are eagerly awaiting your offer.

[Dave says]

44. Buzzy, are you referring to Advantage?

[ShazzieB]

16. That's the worst part imo.

It's like you're damned if you do and damned if you don't.

Mr. B and I have managed to ignore the siren call of Medicare Advantage so far. It's hard to ignore when we're being pinched by the cost of our Medicare supplements, but I am determined not to give in.

[C Moon]

6. I had a landlord several years ago, who said she had changed her mom's health plan to one of those...

and she was trying to switch back, but said it was extremely difficult and she really regretted doing it in the first place.

I'll always remember that and tell others not to do it.

[aggiesal]

7. Medicare has a trust fund? n/t

[summer_in_TX]

10. Switching Medicare options after you are already on it can be done at the same time of year that other switches

and renewals happen, starting in November each year.

I agree completely about Medicare Advantage. Any Medigap insurance is not cheap but can cover what isn't covered under Part A and B. It's private supplemental insurance, but it doesn't drain the Medicare trust fund. Part D policies can help cover the cost of prescription drugs. Some supplemental policies are enough that you don't need a Part D policy.

[MichMan]

14. If it was designed to destroy Medicare, why would President Clinton sign it into law?

[Skittles]

18. LOL

I see you haven't changed

[Hope22]

19. Good question

But if people read before they sign Advantage users were not to be permitted back into regular Medicare programs later. Don’t let the bobbles and trinkets distract you! But of course if they do get bailed out they will have been given a windfall the that the rest of us pay for. Free things up front but eventually if a person gets sick the costs will be higher for them. Talk to a reputable insurance agent before deciding.

[OhioBack2Blue]

31. Republicons held the house and senate in 1997...

Clinton and the republicon controlled Congress approved this market-based alternative to achieve three primary goals:

"Expand Options": To give beneficiaries more choices, allowing them to receive their benefits through private managed care plans (like HMOs) rather than relying solely on the traditional government fee-for-service model. Buyer beware comes roaring back.

"Reduce Costs": To ease the growing financial strain on the Medicare system by leveraging the cost-controls and preventive care strategies commonly used in private-sector insurance. Corporate profit maximization the only metric that matters. Privatize everything in the public sector, keep the republicon agenda going even when the official party is out of power.

"Offer Lower Premiums": To provide seniors with less expensive, bundled alternatives (we don't cover things junk policies) to traditional supplemental "Medigap" policies.

Clinton was a so-called "New Democrat"- a political "moderate" (republicon lite) that sought to combine progressive social values with widespread "deregulatory" / laissez-faire economics.

Just wait for all these "Dems" to come out in full force in 2028...

Looking at you Republicon lites: Mark Kelly, Pete Buttigieg, Gavin Newsome, Andy Beshear and so mamy more...

[leftstreet]

37. +1

[LymphocyteLover]

49. honestly this describes most Democrats but they are still 1,000 better than Republicons

[Sector 001]

20. They just discontinued my medical

After turning 65 I called twice to get on Medicare, but they told me I do not qualify. I currently have no health coverage at all. How long can a diabetic live without medication?

[Skittles]

26. ?

surely they had to tell you WHY you're "not qualified" - WTF?

[Sector 001]

27. When I called

They just told me that I do not qualify and hung up on me.

[Skittles]

30. try online

seriously, that sounds ridiculous

[Sector 001]

45. As I recall

I tried that before calling. I don't recall the exact phrasing, but I was basically forbidden to apply. The corruption here in Fresno County is very bad.

[Skittles]

54. OK something ain't right

do you others this has happened to?

[Sector 001]

55. Not that I'm aware of, It's just me.

In fact, all of the deadbeats I am aware of are on Medicare. All of the Trump supporters I personally know are also on disability.

Last year this guy from India came over here and bought a valid ID. He was drunk driving without a driver's license and killed a woman. A month later a male died of his injuries.

https://kmph.com/news/local/fatal-dui-suspects-california-id-labeled-first-name-unknown

The corruption here in Fresno really runs deep.

[Skittles]

56. "deadbeats on Medicare"?

OK, done here

[Sector 001]

59. Yes, people that have never had a job.

People that have never paid into the system, but are benefiting by it. Are deadbeats, I also refer to them as parasites.

[stopdiggin]

21. same answer as two years ago - and two years before that - and ...

Make Medicare supplementals remotely close in terms of affordability ...
Then we have something to talk about.

[Scrivener7]

32. Once again, thanking God for my union.

[gab13by13]

35. Same here

Medicare - primary, Union negotiated secondary plan.

[Shrek]

34. My wife is delighted with parts A/B plus supplemental plan G

I'll get the same coverage when I'm eligible in a couple of years.

We did our research but found no reason at all to sign up for Medicare Advantage.

[babsbunny]

36. We've had a good experience so far

1st, we both had Humana, no monthly premiums, Dr. visits are free, yearly wellness visits free, you even get a 50.00 gift card of your choice for having the wellness exam, hubby gets all his many meds free because they are all tier one, he was in the hospital for a while with most everything paid for. Really good for us. Last year I switched to a different plan to avoid a high prescription deductible because my med is a tier 3, found a plan that had only a 150.00 deductible for my med, still no monthly premiums, everything is the same as the Humana plan, I added a Dental plan for 16.00 a month that pays for 2 cleanings and x-rays a year and also pays for fillings. Oh yeah, and Colonoscopies and mammograms are paid for, and 100.00 every 3 months to pay for over the counter items. We are in Ohio, not sure if that makes a difference.

[Ruby the Liberal]

38. And AARP is a partner/investor in the UnitedHealth Advantage scam

Which is such a gut check. They are supposed to be an advocacy group.

[sinkingfeeling]

39. My ex employer mandates a single Medicare Advantage HMO plan for all its US retitees. I pay $0 into it. So,

I see it as a personal cost savings versus paying for Medicare out of my SS.

[MineralMan]

40. That is bad advice for a huge number of people.

It's based on political matters, not health care. If you have Medicare as your insurance, you have two choices: You can get into an Advantage plan or you can pay for supplemental insurance to deal with what basic Medicare does not cover.

All Advantage plans are not the same. Even within a particular plan, there are options that involve an additional premium.

In my Advantage plan, I pay $67 per month, and, like all Advantage plans, they get the money that it deducted from my Social Security benefit each month. If I switched to a supplement, I would be paying $600 per month and not have as much coverage.

I spend weeks deciding which of the available programs I should use. I'm very happy with the Advantage plan I chose.

Each person MUST research the available plans and choose what is best for their particular needs. You cannot just flatly say they shouldn't choose an Advantage plan. You would be wrong almost all the time.

I just spend a week in the hospital a couple of weeks ago. I got a wide range of diagnostic tests, plus treatment for what send me in there. I'm home now, and have an oxygen concentrator in my house, if I need it. Fortunately, I've been able to wean myself off of it, but it will be here for the next six months.

How much has all this cost me, out of pocket? $365 dollars, and that was for a co-pay for one of the prescriptions they sent home with me. Everything else was covered 100% by my Advantage plan.

So, how do you square that up with your original statement? How would I benefit if I followed your advice?

You are not competent to tell others what they should do or not do. Everyone needs to research their own needs and what is available where they live. Please do not give such advice. You are wrong in this instance, when it comes to me, and to many others.

You can keep posting what you posted. Each time, I will come in and counter your poor advice.

[applegrove]

46. If it gives people pause I am glad I posted it.

[ProfessorGAC]

58. $600 Per Month

That is preposterously high.
My wife and I have a supplemental through a major health coverage company for a combined number that's not even approaching $400.
Why would your supplemental be so high?

[gulliver]

41. Omg, Chris is against MA?!? THE Chris,?!?

People should get whatever works best for their situation.

Politically, Dems should be laser focused on the business of building reliable, affordable healthcare into law. Right now that's dying of neglect as Trump and the Republicans bask gratefully in our letting the fringe be the base.

Moderates are the base. The base is the reliable, loyal people who have voted Dem for years. People who rarely vote or abandon us and take their vote away in political tantrums are not the base.

Core issues are issues. The rest is magic beans and emotion. I personally don't care if someone has a red face or is crying. To me it's a sign they need help, not that they have the ability to be help. I care if people have education, health care, safety, nutritious food, and shelter.

All the rest is distraction and neglect. We need to get back to competence and compassion, not anger and emotionalism. We need to win.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

51. I had an advisor help me when I turn 65

One of my law partners recommended a member of our Temple. Medicare Advantage plans are scams. I have a Schedule G supplement and a prescription drug plan with my normal Medicare plan and I am very happy

[MichMan]

57. In order to save Medicare, should eliminating MA be a campaign issue in 2028?

[Desert grandma]

60. Original Medicare and a good plan G supplement are the best.

Folks need to research the medical supplement plans "rating systems". I found out that almost all supplement plans in our state, are "age attained rated". This means rates will increase every year on your birthday as well as for medical inflation costs in your region. At the time we joined Medicare, almost ALL supplement plans were this type. Only 2 plans were "age issued". Age issued plans DO NOT increase due to advancing age. They stay at the premium set when you got on the plan. They CAN increase but only because of medical inflation in your region. Medicare.gov will point out how the plans are rated, but one needs to look for that information. When we joined Medicare, Transamerica was one of only 2 companies that were rated "age issue". Our premiums have increased but I believe it was $135 when I turned 65, and it is now $179. That represents a $44 increase over 13 years. It can be very costly to return to original Medicare if you have have major health issues. Unless you have a union sponsored or a former employer sponsored supplement option, every private supplement plan can require an underwriting process before they will accept you. That unfortunately makes it very difficult for most people to stay or return to original Medicare. There are certain exceptions to this. If your Medicare Advantage plan is no longer available for purchase in your area, you are able to return to original Medicare and choose a supplement plan as if you were originally going on Medicare, and thus avoid underwriting. I am very pleased with our choice because we have no network restrictions and can go to other out of state facilities as long as they accept Medicare. It really is a confusing and complicated process.