Question about Medicare Plan F

sam1954

New Member
I heard that Plan F is being discontinued (phased out) in 2020. Is that true? If I were to join this year (2019), would I get "grandfathered" in? Would it continue to pay for Part B deductible through future years, if I join now? Or am I too late? Is there a downside to joining Plan F now? :confused:
 

Plan F will be unavailable for those getting Medicare starting in 2020. It will remain an option for others.

However, it's really not a good choice for most people. Plan G is usually at least $300-350 less expensive and the only expense incurred will the the Part B deductible (currently $185). Furthermore, without young people enrolling it's likely to go up in price faster than other plans.

80% of my Medicare clients are on Plan N as for most it's the best combination of price and benefit - meaning the best value.

Rick
 

We went with a high deductible f plan .. what a great value for us ... it is 2k a year cheaper then an f plan each ... that is a 4K savings and maybe we each spend 300 each in out of pockets ..

but the best is half of our premiums come back to us with silver sneakers paying the 80 a month for both of us for gym
 
Ugh...all this is new to me. I'm currently 64 and still working and planning on working at least another year. Where do I go to figure out this whole Medicare thing?
 
STEEP learning curve ahead. And, like most dot-gov websites, bring your waders.

The only steep learning curve is for people who insist on doing all this themselves. Why would you not want to have an expert help?

Except for myself nobody here ever suggests finding an independent insurance agent that specializes in Medicare.

Rick
 
The only steep learning curve is for people who insist on doing all this themselves. Why would you not want to have an expert help?

Except for myself nobody here ever suggests finding an independent insurance agent that specializes in Medicare.

Rick

Rick, Well, not to offend, but you are a insurance agent, so of course you would say that, right? So are you a medical insurance agent? Do insurance agents charge for helping? I've thought about going to some 'sessions' I see that are put on by different companies but I'm always spectacle as I'm thinking it's just a sales pitch. But at this point I need to do something as I'm completely ignorant of the whole process.
 
Insurance agents are not evil. I help people with the maze of Medicare. I’ve done this for years.

While I am licensed in several states Medicare is the same all over. I don’t charge for my services. If someone needs a supplement I’m happy to quote all options. Should they honor me with their business the company pays me.

But regardless, I’m happy to help mainly because there are so few people with the knowledge to actually offer sound advice.

Bottom line is find someone to trust. I’m happy to help.

Rick
 
Rick, Thanks for the quick response, and no, I don't think insurance agents are evil either. I hope you didn't think I implied that. "Some of my best friends are insurance agents". HA!

I'm still working now but wanting to start looking into all aspects of retiring so this is one of the bigger topics to cover. I don't want to wait until I'm out on my ear and then start trying to figure out what I'm supposed to do.

So I live in eastern Washington state, are you licensed here? Or perhaps you can recommend someone here in Spokane?

Thanks.
 
Rick, Thanks for the quick response, and no, I don't think insurance agents are evil either. I hope you didn't think I implied that. "Some of my best friends are insurance agents". HA!

I'm still working now but wanting to start looking into all aspects of retiring so this is one of the bigger topics to cover. I don't want to wait until I'm out on my ear and then start trying to figure out what I'm supposed to do.

So I live in eastern Washington state, are you licensed here? Or perhaps you can recommend someone here in Spokane?

Thanks.
Sounds like you and I are in the same boat. I'm 64 and plan on working until I turn 66, but plan on signing up for Medicare and a supplement plan this summer and then drop my employer health coverage, since my current coverage sucks. Currently trying to learn as much as possible about the whole "Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage plans" thing.
 
Sounds like you and I are in the same boat. I'm 64 and plan on working until I turn 66, but plan on signing up for Medicare and a supplement plan this summer and then drop my employer health coverage, since my current coverage sucks. Currently trying to learn as much as possible about the whole "Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage plans" thing.

The biggest difference between Original Medicare and an Advantage plan is who do you want to control your healthcare choices. You or a medical group.

Rick
 
The biggest difference between Original Medicare and an Advantage plan is who do you want to control your healthcare choices. You or a medical group.

Rick
Spoken like a true salesman.

The reason why I'm leaning towards a Medicare Advantage PPO plan is because I've been using HMO's and PPO's my whole life, I'm used to going to network providers. My current doctors (and specialist), as well as my pharmacy, are in the network of providers with the Advantage plan I'm considering. And since I don't plan on traveling, I don't mind the restrictions. The Advantage plan covers my current needs, they have a large network around the metro area where I live, low copays, my basic prescriptions are free, the monthly premium is low and the maximum annual out-of-pocket is $3000. If my health declines in the years ahead, I may consider switching to a plan with a higher monthly premium and lower annual out of pocket. But, right now this looks like the best fit for me. And then, of course, there's the cost factor -- the higher cost of Original Medicare supplement plans as compared to Medicare Advantage. I realize that for a lower premium I'm restricted in my choices, but -- my entire life, I've had to choose an in-network doctor. No problems. So please don't play the "who do you want to control your healthcare choices?" card with me.
 
Also, keep in mind if you go advantage first check with a qualified agent to see if there is a one year trial period. Keep asking anyone and everyone. Use youtube its fantastic. Trial period and then you can switch to a supplement plan better suited for you. That one year is like a trial period. I think this is accurate and from what i understand you would not have to qualify for the supplement plan.

Ive not selected who I will use yet but ive a couple im looking at.

Also realize if you travel these plans maynot be portable out of network. Its really upset me since i found out my husband has one . Its the 22$ plan.
i will need to be aware of things regarding coverage more than I felt when he was seriously ill on a great insurance plan when working.

He cant travel safely anf,that worries me. He travels to Mississippi to the casino almost monthly. Should there be an emergency he may be left holding the entire expense. This worries me. So now that I am turning 65 I am the kind of person that want to know pitfalls and where a possible trainwreck could occur regarding coverage. So i have been studying for about 4 weeks. I am feeling better and now its down to 3 plans.
 
Also, keep in mind if you go advantage first check with a qualified agent to see if there is a one year trial period. Keep asking anyone and everyone. Use youtube its fantastic. Trial period and then you can switch to a supplement plan better suited for you. That one year is like a trial period. I think this is accurate and from what i understand you would not have to qualify for the supplement plan.

Ive not selected who I will use yet but ive a couple im looking at.

Also realize if you travel these plans maynot be portable out of network. Its really upset me since i found out my husband has one . Its the 22$ plan.
i will need to be aware of things regarding coverage more than I felt when he was seriously ill on a great insurance plan when working.

He cant travel safely anf,that worries me. He travels to Mississippi to the casino almost monthly. Should there be an emergency he may be left holding the entire expense. This worries me. So now that I am turning 65 I am the kind of person that want to know pitfalls and where a possible trainwreck could occur regarding coverage. So i have been studying for about 4 weeks. I am feeling better and now its down to 3 plans.

All advantage plans cover emergency services so your concern about your husband is not legit. The bigger issue is should he have an illness can he see the specialist best suited to his needs?

And studying for 4 weeks is overkill. Find an agent you can trust.

Rick
 
Thats your opinion as for overkill.

Each of us are different and it requires a different amount of understanding. As I had said I am a creative right brainer so this is not overkill. Its better to be safe than to be sorry.

If my husband goes out of network there is a real cause for concern.

However, I will be getting all my questions answered next week, the hopefully.

Thank you for your response.




All advantage plans cover emergency services so your concern about your husband is not legit. The bigger issue is should he have an illness can he see the specialist best suited to his needs?

And studying for 4 weeks is overkill. Find an agent you can trust.

Rick
 
Also, keep in mind if you go advantage first check with a qualified agent to see if there is a one year trial period. Keep asking anyone and everyone. Use youtube its fantastic. Trial period and then you can switch to a supplement plan better suited for you.

Decided to take a closer look at Plan N-type plans in Minnesota. Better coverage than Advantage plans, and I could travel or move anywhere in the U.S.
 
Thats your opinion as for overkill.

Each of us are different and it requires a different amount of understanding. As I had said I am a creative right brainer so this is not overkill. Its better to be safe than to be sorry.

If my husband goes out of network there is a real cause for concern.

However, I will be getting all my questions answered next week, the hopefully.

Thank you for your response.

In my experience people that spend weeks on Medicare have not met with an agent who specializes in the subject. I'm guessing that you can learn Medicare from a good agent in a matter of an hour or so.

By your question about emergency coverage with advantage plans and worrying about out of network coverage for emergencies tells me you have yet to speak with anyone that knows this subject.

Best of luck in your quest.

Rick
 
I have Rick. Ive talked with three people. Two from the same office and one from another.

And, I am talking with a woman from our SHIIP program for seniors that know Medicare on Monday. Ive got certain things I want to do first. I have the time and I am doing what I feel is necessary for myself. However, I have not talked with these agents about advantage yet. I am just concerned about them because my husband has one. So, Ive only been discussing supplement plans for myself. I need to get my selection out of the way first. I have my reservations he would be able to pass medical questions. Even with his 7 way bypass was 15 years ago. But Im going to ask just the same.

btw. I am not an easy person to sell something to. Ive always taken longet than most people I know. 🙄😂 it can be frustrating but thats just me. 🙃
Thanks
 
I was having trouble talking with my current agent which was supposed to help me. She gave me 1hr 10 minutes on the phone since January. Everytime i call to speak with agent im,told shes out, she'll be back she will call you tomorrow.... this made me go out and start having to figure this out on my own. Never recieved a darn thing from this office until after I asked, this they gave me in an email in January the link to medicare.gov. SMH ibeen paying this agent for 6 years maybe longer. She even has my husbands advantage policy. I had to move on and its been like pulling chicken teeth. And other agents ask for autopay. So If I dont do auto pay they dont want to call you back. Crazy people.

And the local man I ended getting his name from the main bcbs 800 contact number. I called him last week and we talked for a bit and told him i will be making a decision 1st week in April on my policy choice. So he asked me if he could call me on friday in the morning. I,said definately. So i had not heard from him so I emailed him a couple of questions on N verses HDF. I dont understand people. Ugh
 


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