Medicare Advantage Plan Reviews ⭐️ (from real people)

[@jimde3002]

My spouse and I are both covered with a Plan G Supplement. We love that we can see any doctor, hospital, or clinic that accepts Medicare. We also love that our doctor has the final say so for procedures rather than a pre-authorization where the insurance company gets to decide if my procedure is needed, i.e. a knee replacement. My doc said I needed both knees done, it is a Medicare covered procedure, so no questions asked. Procedure was done. No insurance company needing to give me a pre-authorization. We're both sold on Medigap and will stay right where we are.

[@stephanieabt4114]

Love that! Plan G + traditional Medicare is a great place to be if you have a pending surgery or procedure.

[@larrybaumann]

They use bait and switch. Sneaky.

[@ChuckKarges]

Me to stayed in traditional ay gap plan and low meds prices no on in my pocket except doctor only I need a transplant lungs the valve didn't work I had cv+ but there glue trails coming up same people as valves it could help they fixed the cv+ to - thank u Mr church and your staff for helping me find this

[@miguelberrios19]

I have been on medical insurance HMO from my job for 24 years, and have seen maybe three or four pc doctors and two specialists during that time. I have had three stent placements, two hip replacements plus a knee surgery among other smaller health issues. So yes, I am used to getting referrals and prior authorizations mostly for specialists and hospital visits. And I can happily say that the care and services that I have received have been great. Therefore, I will continue this process, and join an Advantage plan with one of the big providers like Cigna, Humana or UnitedHealthcare.

[@MarshaMarsha885]

@@miguelberrios19 Humana advantage can no longer be provider at some hospitals be aware of that fact when a plan drops you

[@AbtInsuranceAgency]

Are you happy with your current plan? Word of mouth can be a powerful thing. Leave your comments below!

[@avflyguy]

Stephanie, Yes, for the most part, our Supplemental Plan G (with your agency) has been a good experience. Initially finding providers was somewhat confusing, but once in, the doctors and clinics all have good referrals beyond what Primary Care doctors can do. Diagnostic work isn't challenged. Usually no long appointment lead times too. We're considered 'healty' patients aside from typical things as we age.. Blood pressure, Colesteral management, etc has been good. The premium paid for supplemental stings a bit, but knowing at some time in the future will probably cause higher levels of care and management of other things will balance that all out. As you said, there are stong proponents on each side of Advantage and Supplemental plans. Your videos are really helpful for sorting that all out. Thanks for the update.

[@100PercentOS2]

I love my Plan G but damn, those fees are getting outrageous so I wonder what the CEO of Wellabe makes and how many yachts, fancy cars and homes he owns? It is sickening how rich these CEOs are, robbing their customers blind.

[@carolwilliams6633]

I’m with unitedhealthcare

[@randyjerrett3385]

So nice of you to explain something so well!!!! Thank you!! some people love this advantage insurance and other people hate it. I’m on it never really had to use it for an emergency, but they’ve always paid anything I’ve ever had done.

[@timb6985]

Stephanie, great job presenting a fact-based, unbiased review of the 2 Medicare routes. I think the biggest problem with choosing Advantage over Gap based on historic good health is that one never knows if and when their health might start to falter. If you go the Advantage route, you probably won't be able to reconsider after your health status declines. So it ultimately comes down to the question that Dirty Harry asked, "Do I feel lucky?"

[@AbtInsuranceAgency]

😂 yes!

[@michellehuntington2718]

My exact thoughts. I have to decide by May. Right now l am fine but...........

[@MarshaMarsha885]

I follow a lot of nurses on social media. The nurses working in nursing homes and with elderly can’t stress enough NOT to get Advantage plans. They explain how patients are being forced to leave treatment bf they are ready to go home. They recommend never to go with Advantage

[@fredost1504]

Thats cause THEY(niurses) are not paying the ever escalating double digit premium increases of Supplement plans. Supplement plan premiums at min will double in 8-10 years. Heck they doubled from 2020 to now. For that reason alone im going Advantage. Im used preauths and rationed care from ACA so its no big deal.

[@bill648]

Exactly. If you can afford it wonderful.

[@randyjerrett3385]

I think they all do that, lol

[@AislingBast]

Thank you a lot for this video. This is very interesting and informative. Keep posting like those amazing videos, this is awesome.

[@jimde3002]

Thank you, Stephanie Very good info.

[@D__Lee]

At the time of this video, a friend of mine has Regence Blue Shield Medicare Advantage with his primary care doctor at the Polyclinic (Seattle). He's been seeing the same doctor for 15+ years, but he's been recently told that the Polyclinic is now out-of-network for Regence so he either has to find a new in-network doctor or pay the out-of-network $$$. He's very, very upset and stressed about having to find a new doctor. He just can't understand why his doctor (Polyclinic) could be in-network for many years then suddenly be out-of-network. This wouldn't be a problem if he had stayed with original Medicare.

[@saraguillemette2773]

Answer: Polyclinic Seattle must no longer want to navigate the Medicare Advantage Plan’s relentless claim denials & requirements for prior authorizations.

[@suemilkbone4868]

A lot of doctors, hospitals and clinics drop out of Advantage plans because of the low reimbursement rates they get. It is less than what original Medicare pays and that is considered very low.

[@jamesheartney9546]

We've had Marketplace insurance for many years (which, to be sure, is a much better option than what we had before Marketplace got started), and we've been through the do-se-do of having to switch doctors due to insurance companies moving in and out of the local market, leaving their provider network users high and dry. In fact we've been through that more than once. Now that Medicare is finally available to me, there is no way I'll go back to depending on a provider network. The whole idea is terrible, and I will not consider any "Advantage" plan. BTW, I worked in marketing for years. One sign they're trying to sell you a poop sandwich is a happy talk name. Calling it "Advantage" is pure marketing, a way to gull people into thinking there's something better about it when ofttimes there isn't. Yes, I'm sure there are plenty of folks currently satisfied with their Advantage plan. Some may change their minds as they get older, their medical needs increase without warning, and they discover they can't get into traditional medicare because their new medical condition means they'll never get through underwriting.

[@MicheleZaborowske]

Soooo wrong. There are NOT relentless denials.

[@zingwilder9989]

Insurance, in any form, is always a gamble; however, the Advantage Plan may not be a good choice for the unexpected situations that life tends to throw at us as we age. As ever, Ms. Abt, your instruction and guidance are superb. As a side note, your accent has got to be derived from Central New York, as it sounds exactly like mine.

[@AbtInsuranceAgency]

You guessed it, I am from Syracuse NY!

[@zingwilder9989]

@@AbtInsuranceAgency I thought so, as I'm originally from the Oneida area. You have helped me a great deal and I sincerely appreciate it. Since I'll be turning 65 next month, I just purchased a Medigap Plan G with a stand-alone PDP. Currently, I am on my former employer's group plan, which will roll into an Advantage Plan. Considering limited provider flexibility and the potential maximum yearly out of pocket costs; I didn't feel that it was a good gamble. Once again, thank you for your guidance.

[@100PercentOS2]

Are you licensed in Indiana? I had a triple heart bypass surgery about a year ago and I'm so glad that I had Plan G because I did have the best care and the best doctors. I'm really doing good with my heart surgery. But after that my insurance company is working on me to take a Medicare Advantage Plan and I refuse. That is why I may changed to a Plan N if I'm allowed to. But I'm almost afraid to change given my heart surgery from last year for fear I may lose my supplemental insurance altogether.

[@AbtInsuranceAgency]

I do work in IN! You will likely not be able to pass through medical underwriting to change to a Plan N until you are two years out from your heart surgery.

[@sherrycox5324]

Your video really helped me, and watching many more, you have a nice voice, I was going to meet with a man, but was uncomfortable with a man, always like to use a female whenever I can.

[@AbtInsuranceAgency]

Agreed! ;-)

[@dmjh932]

First of all. MD Anderson as well as the Mayo Clinic do accept many PPO Medicare Advantage Plans. Use a UNH PPO advantage plan and you'll be hard pressed to find any doctor or major hospital that DOES NOT accept UNH. But supplements are great as well. We've experienced them both the past 10 years.

[@AbtInsuranceAgency]

Mayo Clinic did send letters this fall stating that even with a PPO Medicare advantage Plan, they are not scheduling out of network appointments - www.documentcloud.org/documents/23168368-mayo-clinic-full-letterhead

[@dmjh932]

@@AbtInsuranceAgency Thanks for the update. Apparently they were not being paid enough for services. It will be interesting to see what happens to Original Medicare in the coming years. It's been mismanaged for decades. Doctors, hospitals and vendors like it because it's easy to get about anything approved. It will eventually be revisited by politicians and either cut substantially or become more like a managed healthcare program. In other words like a Medicare Advantage Plan where services and procedures are closely viewed before being approved. I'm convinced "AI" applications will become a decisive factor in medical decisions in the years ahead. It will all be an attempt to bring down healthcare costs for everybody. It's already started with prescription drugs and Medicare.

[@ThomasMackay-i8h]

You are wrong. Google it and you will find that the Mayo Clinic does NOT accept Medicare Advantage plans.

[@jpmarketing]

I tried out alignment health care because of their five-star reviews and their benefits. However I'm in Alaska for 6 months and they don't offer coverage up here. So the only way I can use my medical benefit (which I'm paying for every month) is to go to the emergency department. I have to pay out of pocket and get reimbursed. What kind of Medicare Advantage plan is that? I will be canceling alignment health as of December or October whenever open enrollment is. I have multiple chronic illnesses and to go 6 months without being able to see a doctor is unconscionable for a private insurer of a government health care plan to do that.

[@melondonkey]

Follow the stars -- CMS Star Ratings don't lie. Plans with poor star ratings, especially in customer-facing metrics like voluntary disenrollment or complaint tracking should probably be avoided. Kaiser, despite having the most limited network, makes up for it with transparency and most love it. Any other plan I would review carefully.

[@JoseGarcia-oo4mc]

Excellent

[@joyfulliving5157]

Stephanie, a friend dropped off her enrollment paperwork to the social security office to apply for Medicare B now that her husband retires as Feb 1. His went through and hers didn’t..a glitch. Social Security originally said it was stuck in a glitch in payment enter. They won’t transfer her to a manager! She’s been calling every few days! Now they told her to call Medicare! She did and they said it’s SSI responsibility. She needs B to start Feb. 1. We’re so stressed! Any suggestions?

[@AbtInsuranceAgency]

I would advise going INTO the SS office and asking them to process the application while she is standing there. They can and they should be able to do that!

[@joyfulliving5157]

@@AbtInsuranceAgency thank you. It was stuck in processing at Medicare’s end. Finally went through after almost 2 months! They need more help in customer service!!

[@Carolmaizy]

@@joyfulliving5157 the same thing happened to me. I applied during covid and couldn't meet with a real person. Thank goodness the iffice opened up eventually. A small glitch held my coverage up.

[@steveg6978]

I actually delved into the denial issue. It would seem Advantage plans do deny more but it was only 3%.

[@geraldinefields1730]

Thank you.

[@johannes671]

Does anyone realize that ALL employer health plans are some form of advantage plans with in network restrictions?...All your working life one was on these plans...why all the stress about before 65 or after 65.....one has had advantage plans for most of their life anyway?!

[@AbtInsuranceAgency]

But at age 65 you have the option to have a different type of coverage, and many people don't fully understand the different between Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplements.

[@tomm7505]

Yes, and all of your working life you were in your 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s when most people are very healthy and don't use their medical insurance as much. When you hit your 60s, 70s and 80s you want the best coverage you can get because your body will start breaking more and more often. For me that will be original Medicare with a Plan N supplement when I turn 65 in April '24.

[@plazas1242]

In my experience Medicare disadvantage was a nightmare I thought I had free dental cleaning but I was denied I had to pay out of pocket Then I realized if I get sick They will denied everything That made my decision to change the no good Advantage Plan , for me was Disadvantage What a nightmare.

[@Larry00000]

If you have Medicare Advantage and move to an area where it is not available, can you switch to Medigap? Also, what states allow you to switch to Medigap?

[@barreloffun10]

If you move out of the area where the MA plan you're enrolled in is offered, or the MA plan withdraws from the area where you live, you get guaranteed issue rights for medigap for 60 days. This will likely be for a limited selection of plans, such as Plan G but not Plan N, but there is no medical underwriting. You'll need to call your MA plan and tell them you've moved, then they will send you a letter documenting your GI rights. Save that letter; you may need it to prove to the medigap company that you have GI rights.

[@lorigilmore5521]

Hi Stephanie. If I start with traditional Medicare, with plan N for example, and then down the road I go to Advantage, have I lost my non medical underwriting status? So I would have to go through under writing to switch back?

[@AbtInsuranceAgency]

In this situation, you would have a one time, 12 month "trial right" to get your Medicare Supplement Plan N back without medical underwriting, if it was your first time on a Medicare Advantage plan.

[@downtownpizzagrill]

I am a licensed insurance agent, and I am interested in working for your company

[@davidyeager]

While medicare advantage plans may be worth it elsewhere, I wouldn't recommend it from Blue Cross Blue Shield. Florida Blue has been a repeated trial of my patience. As an example, in May my doctor ordered a mobility scooter. In June since I had heard from no one, I called BCBS. They were sitting on the order; why I don't know. Once I got them to move on the order, they sent it to their equipt provider. When I hadn't heard from them after a few weeks, I called BCBS and them again. The provider had not acted on the order, (seems to be a theme here). They called the next day to try and get me to take a scooter that did not come anywhere near the item the doctor ordered. When I called them all again to get this fixed, BCBS/care centrix moved the order to yet another provider. When I hadn't heard from these folks, I called them this morning. They looked up the order and the only answer they provided was "we don't provide scooters to stroke patients". I'm starting to wonder if this entire medicare advantage plan isn't just a scheme. I'm looking forward to the end of the year when I can get a different plan. Bottom line? If you want adequate health coverage and piece of mind - GO ANYHWEHRE EXCEPT BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD.

[@paula4910]

Advantage has the same care with far less costs. Not a big deal if I cannot go to the Mayo clinic. If a procedure is medically necessary Advantage will cover it.

[@plainegrace5712]

I'm sorry, but your first graphic was contradictory to what you were saying. 1:39 the graphic shows an either/or choice. Choose if you want to go original OR Medicare Advantage. However, what you *say* is "In order to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, you must be enrolled in Medicare parts A and B". Can you please clarify, please?

[@AbtInsuranceAgency]

Great question! And something that is confusing for many folks. You can choose to receive your medical and hospital benefits either thorough the Traditional Medicare program OR through a Medicare Advantage Plan. But in order to be enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan you must also be enrolled in Parts A and B of Medicare. Essentially the Advantage Plan will “replace” your traditional Medicare benefits.

[@plainegrace5712]

@@AbtInsuranceAgency ..ok

[@shaystern2453]

@@plainegrace5712 I'm glad SOMEONE got that

[@carolwilliams6633]

I have HMO/POS with extra help with medicaid

[@ChuckKarges]

Im turning 65 in April next yr they take the 174 out regardless right ? I want to stay on original medcare only have state Medical now what should i do ? I dont want insurance Co taking advantage of me dam insurance

[@CesarGonzalez0981]

Then you will qualify for both original Medicare and the state Medicaid. Medicare will cover 80% off the cost and the state Medicaid will pick up the 20%. I know this, because I have this also, and I’m able to see any doctor I want.

[@ChuckKarges]

No Im in a low income program I make like 120 to much it's call a q thing they pay my 175 to Medicare and then I got a gap plan of like 125 a month and my meds coast like 4.50 to 11.50 for expenses ones like trelegy it's not bad this keeps me in reg Medicare traditional no medcaid from. State but the ride thing got messed up but I found a place that helps me I'm wait to get called to try the glue then 45 days later I go do sleep check for cv+ if not u wake up with valves if not u get glue 1 more time so I ay 175 + 125 =400 I pay no copay but the first 225 only a year and if they take Medicare I can go to any hospital and see any doctor no approval needed so check it out

[@ooscgt]

Does California require medical underwriting in the future it need to change plans? Thanks!

[@AbtInsuranceAgency]

Not if you qualify for the Birthday Rule! If you have a Medigap plan already then you can change to a same or lesser benefit plan annually around your birthday without medical underwriting.

[@sherrycox5324]

Are you in AZ?

[@AbtInsuranceAgency]

We are licensed there, yes! 888-465-9728

[@ruthegan8524]

What about preapproval?

[@davidyeager]

me, i'll just get a prescription plan from a third party at the end of the year and transfer everything else back to Medicare. If they can't get their plan providers to honor their commitments, then let them handle all of the bs.

[@shaystern2453]

I've heard this is good when your reasonably healthy but sucks otherwise

[@robertmontgomery3892]

Sorry but Insurance Brokers who care about their clients know that just because a client is healthy at age 65 means little or nothing going forward. A clients situation can change on a dime and if they are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan they are truly screwed. Sure they can switch back to traditional Medicare but they will never qualify for a MediGap Plan. Honest brokers know that and should refuse to sell Medicare Advantage Plans.

[@AbtInsuranceAgency]

I explain that exact thing to all of my clients. For some, Medigap premiums are simply out of their budget and a Medicare Advantage plan can be the best choice. The important thing is knowing the pros and cons, and how your choice will impact your future plan options.

[@jacquelinegilchrist4157]

Depends on if you have good hospitals and providers in your advantage network. Generally large metro areas have a large choice of providers and therefore medicare advantage may be an advantage. In rural area or smaller networks supplements may offer a greater value. It's very dependent in where you live.

[@mikep6979]

You will get less than optimal care on Advantage. Full stop. And once you are on it and get seriously ill you can be stuck for life. It can cost you getting the care your doctor says you need, even your life in some circumstances.

[@suemilkbone4868]

100% correct. Your life can be in danger if you have an disAdvantage plan. The denial, delay and dissuade process can cost one's life.

[@ConradSpoke]

Volume! (jesus)

[@brahmmauer7437]

I would never choose Medicare advantage.

[@robertmontgomery3892]

"Unbiased view?" This broker should go to work for any traditional media network where she can always be the middleman between what is right and wrong without ever coming down on the side which is clearly right. Avoid this broker at all cost. It's about bait and switch here.

[@AbtInsuranceAgency]

Wow, you sound like a delight!

[@randyjerrett3385]

⁠yeah 😂 ! What I thought! You explain very well!!!