Seniors

mnhtnbb

(32,642 posts)

15. If you want your health care managed by an insurance

Mon Oct 16, 2023, 04:57 PM

Oct 2023

company, then go with a MA plan. If you want to make your own decisions, in consultation with the physicians of your choice, then go with traditional Medicare and a gap policy.

It's that simple. All you have to do is Google 'Medicare Advantage horror stories' to get a long list of the problems and pitfalls of MA plans should you be unlucky enough to experience the woes of any serious health issues developing as you age, or even befall you as a result of accident.

NYTimes published a good article here: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/28/health/medicare-advantage-plans-report.html

I am a retired hospital administrator. As much as I dislike shelling out for dental and vision care every year, I know those costs won't bankrupt me. I have traditional Medicare and a BCBS Federal gap policy, which I will stick with to the grave.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

39 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

It's Now Open Season on Seniors: 'Medicare Disadvantage.' Unsolicited Calls, Aggressive Ads [View all] appalachiablue Oct 2023 OP

Medical care for elders isn't a matter of insurance risk. The_Casual_Observer Oct 2023 #1

K&R! dchill Oct 2023 #2

City and State retirees over 65 should be required to take standard Medicare instead of MA MichMan Oct 2023 #3

If you are a senior, every year at least Progressive dog Oct 2023 #4

+1. Don't believe the 51% of Medicare beneficiaries who choose Advantage Plans are as stupid as some Silent Type Oct 2023 #6

No, there is no guarantee of a medigap policy Progressive dog Oct 2023 #9

The seniors to choose Medicare Advantage plans aren't idiots, but they're wrong. pnwmom Oct 2023 #12

They are getting better care Progressive dog Oct 2023 #18

Medicare Advantage Plans often Deny Needed Care, Federal Report Finds pnwmom Oct 2023 #19

I have never been denied any necessary care. Progressive dog Oct 2023 #23

Your belief is wrong. The report was produced by the Inspector General's office of HHS. pnwmom Oct 2023 #24

I have no problem fixing problems with Progressive dog Oct 2023 #25

You made the broad claim that Medicare Advantage holders are getting better care pnwmom Oct 2023 #27

Fortunately, they all have the choice of leaving the plan Progressive dog Oct 2023 #29

The Insurance Companies' plan to bankrupt Medicare is Medicare Advantage Scottie Mom Oct 2023 #5

Simple, it was passed by Congress and signed by Prez Clinton. At time, it was called Medicare Part C Silent Type Oct 2023 #7

I really resent the use of that word for Private Medical Insurance. EOM Scottie Mom Oct 2023 #8

Yes. blue neen Oct 2023 #10

This: If you choose Medicare Advantage you may not be able to get medigap coverage erronis Oct 2023 #11

Advantage plans are all good Demobrat Oct 2023 #13

Progressive Dog at #18 insists you have access to all the same doctors! There are so many pnwmom Oct 2023 #20

I hope they don't. Demobrat Oct 2023 #26

I just went through updating mine and hubs' plans. slightlv Oct 2023 #14

Bush did Part D, IIRC. Qutzupalotl Oct 2023 #16

I hate that effing donut hole. MurrayDelph Oct 2023 #17

If you want your health care managed by an insurance mnhtnbb Oct 2023 #15

Thanks, mnhtnbb. pnwmom Oct 2023 #21

All supplement plans with the same letter offer the same coverage. Demobrat Oct 2023 #22

Do you have any advice about deciding? nt pnwmom Oct 2023 #28

I did end up working with a broker Demobrat Oct 2023 #31

Thanks! nt pnwmom Oct 2023 #32

G does not pay the Medicare A and B deductible which in 2023 are: airplaneman Oct 2023 #36

So much disinformation on this thread. trof Oct 2023 #30

Yeah, coming from the MA proponents. pnwmom Oct 2023 #33

I'm being treated for prostate cancer and colon cancer. trof Oct 2023 #34

I'm glad it's worked out for you. But that's a roll of the dice I wouldn't advise pnwmom Oct 2023 #35

Me too, but I will add Joinfortmill Oct 2023 #38

I keep on reading posts here on DU talking about the horrors PoindexterOglethorpe Oct 2023 #37

Me too. Had a brain aneurysm fixed. Joinfortmill Oct 2023 #39