mathjak107
Well-known Member
- Location
- bayside ,queens , ny
how does it work if you travel?
It is the Presbyterian Senior Care plan and is tied to our Presbyterian Hospital system and our Presbyterian Healthcare Group of physicians and medical professionals.
It is a local plan available in two counties in New Mexico where the hospitals and care group are.
Sorry for the late reply. I've been SO busy helping my clients with the annual election period.
Like all Medicare Supplements, Plan F (which I almost never recommend due to cost vs. G or N) only pays for services authorized by Medicare. If Medicare doesn't cover the service neither will your supplement.
Some here keep pointing out how wonder their HMO is. That's great unless you want to choose your own doctors, hospitals, etc. In many areas (ie. Los Angeles) many great doctors are available. But if you want to see a doctor out of network you're going to pay yourself.
So I agree that a Medicare supplement is always the best choice if money is not an object. In fact, I'd much rather go with a high deductible plan f (HDF) which kicks in to pay your out of pocket after a $2,300 deductible. Keep in mind Medicare will still pay their share so unless you have a hospitalization or something like chemo you won't spend much. And the premium generally is $40-50 monthly. Must better access to care than any Medicare Advantage and generally the out of pocket in most areas is lower.
Hope that helps a bit.
Rick
Hi Rick,
Some comments on Medicare Supplemental Plan F.
My understanding is that Plan F is going to be discontinued for new enrollments as of 12/31/2019. If you already have that plan by that date, you can keep it and will be grandfathered in.
That being the case, what do you think of this analysis.
Since there will be no new enrollees in Plan F after 12/31/19, the pool of people already enrolled will have an increasing average age since younger people will not be added. So the premiums for this plan will probably increase sharply after that date. Perhaps another good reason not to enroll in Plan F now.
Also, if you do sign up for Plan F, and the premiums start to rise, you may not be able to switch to another supplemental plan if you develop a serious health condition and be stuck with Plan F and the rapidly rising premiums.
That being the case, it seems to me that Plan F is probably not a good choice even now based on what we already know about the near future of that plan.
This same logic may or may not apply to the high deductible Plan F as I am not sure if that is also being discontinued or not. Do you know?
And even if the high deductible plan is being discontinued, it might still make sense now in some cases for those who want a lowe(r) premium plan and can self insure up to the deductible.
Thoughts?
If someone becomes eligible for Medicare in 12/2019 and enrolls in Medicare for the first time on or after 1/1/2020, can they enroll in HDG?
I have traditional Medicare with a BCBS PPO plan as secondary.
I love it.
It's expensive but my coverage is almost as good as Canadians get from their system for free.
I would not touch a Medicare Advantage Plan with a 10 foot pole.
Just to clarily, the Canadians don't get medical care for free. It's buried in taxes.
If you don't like Medicare Advantage, you would hate single payer like Canada.
Rick
I seem to remember discussing this with you before. Please correct me if I am wrong, but I seem to remember that you are a Medicare advantage sales person. Am I that correct?
As for how I would feel about Canadian health care I would appreciate it if in the future you would not be so presumptuous as to attempt to speak for me.
Thanks in advance.
I've sold hundreds of Medicare advantage plans and even more supplements.
I have traditional Medicare with a BCBS PPO plan as secondary.
I love it.
It's expensive but my coverage is almost as good as Canadians get from their system for free.
I would not touch a Medicare Advantage Plan with a 10 foot pole.
By then the HDG should be available so the answer is yes.
Rick
A few questions.
1. What is a BCBS PPO plan?
2. Is a BCBS PPO plan better than Medicare supplemental Plan G or F? If so, specifically why?
3. How are the costs of a BCBS PPO compared to Medicare G or F?
4. Can you state the specific reason(s) why you would not get a Medicare Advantage plan?
Thank you.
PS: I like your song reference. I dig that song. nthego:
Two of my senior cousins were here for a visit and they ask me about supplemental plans.
So I brought them here where you people have went over the plans told them all the great benefits about this site. So at least one should be joining soon once she has time.
I told her if retires next year it would be helpful also to find out about her 401K plan. I think the majority should go towards paying off or down her home.
Two of my senior cousins were here for a visit and they ask me about supplemental plans.
So I brought them here where you people have went over the plans told them all the great benefits about this site. So at least one should be joining soon once she has time.
I told her if retires next year it would be helpful also to find out about her 401K plan. I think the majority should go towards paying off or down her home.
IMHO, someone who is trying to decide about medicare supplements/advantage plans should seek professional advice about which is better for their particular situation because there is no one size fits all answer. It's a big decision and one needs professional advice, NOT the advice of folks on some online forum (tho we do have a couple of professionals here). I believe the answer for each person includes looking at their medical situation, where they live, and of course their financial status.
ALSO, about the 401K, I believe one should definitely get professional financial and tax advice before using the proceeds of an IRA in a large chunk to do anything. There can be substantial tax consequences, as I understand it.