You would be surprised how often I hear this. Not to worry, I can explain pretty easy the various parts of Medicare and the ones you need to pay particular attention to. Original Medicare consists of parts A (Hospital, Skilled Nursing Care and Hospice) and B (Dr.’s, Labs, Physical Therapy, durable Medical Equipment, etc.). The problem with A and B only is there are no caps on expenses. Your minimalist choice should be a zero or low cost Medicare Advantage plan to at least put caps on expenses. A deeper analysis of your history, needs and wants will provide additional direction for your plan choices, with Medicare Supplements being a higher coverage option that generally costs more. Rx meds is another box that needs to be checked.

This is a pretty common dilemma couples face. The correct answer depends on how healthy the wife is, how much of the cost the husband has to pay for her, whether or not his wife can maintain that coverage if the husband does go to Medicare, and what her options would be if she cannot stay on her husband’s plan, and what those would cost. Pretty often the wife is relatively healthy but takes several brand name drugs which on the employer plan usually has unlimited co-pays. Medicare Prescription coverage works much better with generic meds than brand, so if the wife can change meds that might solve the problem. Many variations to this dilemma.

Well, how would your health and age compare to your neighbors? Well, they are a little younger than us and they aren’t diabetic like we are. Oh, I see. Guess we better stay put. Yes, probably! There are Med Advantage plans for zero or low cost. But some of them also have a $10,000 max OOP (out-of-pocket) for in-and-out-of network.. That obviously entails some risk. The plan G costs way more, but the max OOP is $198 per year (2020) for literally all their medical expenses, period.

Actually, when you first go on an MA plan, whether at 65 or 75, you are guaranteed a return to a Medicare Supplement if you decide in the first 365 days that you would prefer it over the MA plan. So, you would be eligible to switch. MA plans are not bad plans, but they work better for healthy clients. That said, lots of seniors cannot or will not afford what Medicare Supplements cost. However, there are many ways to manage your health, no matter what type plan you have. I’m an agent that can help you. But only is you ask the questions. My mind reading skills are near non-existent. 😊