My Honest Advice For Anyone Who Wants An Advantage Plan

[@JohnJohn-wr1jo]

I urge anyone considering an Advantage plan to thoroughly research this decision. I get that they cost less but the biggest issue is when you need quality care in a timely manner these plans fail to deliver. My sister in law couldn't afford a supplement plan and switched to an Advantage Plan. Shortly after she made the following comment. "I hope I dont live to regret this decision, or worse die because of it ". Sadly she was correct on both counts. She suffered a stroke and her doctor wanted her sent to an acute care facility for rehab. Her Advantage carrier denied and would only approve a regular rehab. When she was admitted to that rehab they did an assessment and agreed with her doctor that she needed to be placed in an acute care facility. They helped with the paperwork/process for the family to challenge the denial. They told my wife that it could take a week to get it reversed. And that her Advantage carrier automatically denies most patients. Three days after admission she choked on her vomit and was non responsive. Rushed to the emergency room and layed in a coma in critical care for almost a month before dying. Her medical bills from just that episode were almost $400,000. You dont want a "bean counter" playing doctor.

[@bricetetrick1457]

I have a good friend who has had 2 knee replacements, 1 hip replacement, breast cancer treatment all on a Advantage policy, covered it all. Maybe it varies by state, I'm not sure,bl but my friend is very happy with advantage.

[@adoptacat2877]

You don’t mention the outrageous copays your friend had to pay. Maybe they got those copays covered if they fall in the ridiculous low annual income which I think is around $17,000-$24500. to get those copays waived. Most seniors and low middle class that bring in just a bit more annually have to try to come up with the copays in these advantage plans. Then they can’t afford to pay all their other outrageous cost of living monthly bills and all the high taxes. Our medical system is designed to either make you have to file bankruptcy or lose your house. The medical care only benefits the poor which get everything for free or the wealthy that don’t care because they can afford it.

[@ssnydess6787]

I went to a advantage plan fro United Healthcare after siscussing with your reps. I am a retired vet and this plan fits well with Tri-Care for life and I just had $2500 done in dental that was totally covered, unlike most regular dental supplemental plans thet cover 50%. They also covered an emergency room trip for a stroke with from Tri Care for Life picking up the remaining $150 out of a potential $7000 bill.

[@gloriataruc8371]

@@ssnydess6787 I have tricare too and I have Medicare advantage for 6 years now and have no problems so far!

[@williamrogers1219]

Medicare Advantage plans may benefit lower-income retirees as they don't have enough assets to be sued for medical bills and cannot pay the Medicare Supplement premiums. For more affluent retirees, Medicare Supplement plans transfer risk from the retiree to the insurance company for a monthly fee. In addition, they have the additional benefit of budgeting their healthcare costs as up to five of the six donut holes can be covered by Medicare Supplement plans.

[@ellisfrazier3640]

Excellent and very informative! That is so true about peer pressure from well-meaning friends! Thank you so much for giving us the facts!🎉

[@MedicareSchool]

That is what we are here for, if you ever have any questions feel free to contact our office at 1-800-864-8890!

[@joethecomputerguy1]

Was healthy but last week diagnosed with aggressive cancer. Damn glad I'm NOT on Advantage. I decide what treatment I want and who and where to get it. I'm going to a top notch cancer center tomorrow. No prior authorization needed. No denials from the Advantage plan. Screw that!

[@cathyP1961]

Prayers for you

[@Zues64]

@@joethecomputerguy1 you have my prayers. God bless and good luck.

[@suemilkbone4868]

This, right here, is why one should get traditional Medicare. Freedom of choice can make the difference between life and death. I am glad you are getting top notch care. ❤

[@teresaalbin-davis4529]

Agree with you completely, and prayers headed your way

[@gloriataruc8371]

Praying for you!🙏🙏🙏

[@joeysocks5718]

I had a bypass 6 years ago and have low grade prostrate cancer. I will definitely avoid advantage plan when i retire next year

[@Colt-ii4qn]

Definitely 👍 🥹

[@user-TM59]

Thanks Marvin , Great explanation , I go to VA for care so far I've been satisfied with the VA care, I'm planning on taking the Advantage Plan as a backup once i retire.

[@MedicareSchool]

Happy to hear we can be of help!

[@EMT1372]

Thank you! I have been attempting to find an answer if an Advantage Plan would be a good alternative for me since I am on VA Medical. After months of searching, I finally found the answer I needed in the last 5 minutes of your video. I signed up for an Advantage Plan with RX because the copays there are less than my copays would be with the VA.

[@MedicareSchool]

Happy we could help!

[@cathyP1961]

Health problems can happen tonight . We will keep our medigap.

[@ronrichards6653]

These videos are great. Thank you. My mother has been happy with her Humana Medicare Advantage plan the last 12 years. She's had 2 knee replacements, a pacemaker, and all sorts of specialist visits. It has worked out. The copays have been very manageable and the network is large and includes all of her doctors. I didn't know at the time she chose it that there was no way back out of it, so it's good you are telling people the reality of the choice.

[@Gail8280]

I live in a 55+ community. We do chat and compare plans. Several of us are retired RNs. None of us would EVER have an Advantage plan.

[@normahoskins7400]

This was very helpful for me. I need to learn about the different med supp plans. Thank you

[@MedicareSchool]

Absolutely! If you have question you can contact our office at 1-800-864-8890!

[@to5msheppard]

I have a question I love your videos. I’ve told so many people about your videos because you explain everything so well and when I was first starting to get into this, you outlined everything perfectly I currently have A and B supplemental Plan G. My question is are there any that cover optical in anyway thank you .

[@MedicareSchool]

With an Advantage plan, some of them may include vision coverage, but it often won't be extensive since Medicare itself covers very little for vision. On the other hand, if you choose a Supplement plan, you'll likely need to add a standalone vision plan to get some level of vision coverage. This is because Medicare Supplement plans primarily focus on covering the gaps in Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and don't usually include additional benefits like vision.

[@EdwardStella-gd3wz]

Thank you very much for this wonderful content! I’m glad I’m able to learn about these choices before my deadline hits at 65.

[@MedicareSchool]

We are always happy to help!

[@collinsfriend1]

One thing about VA- the amount of coverage depends on their status in the military. Whether it's service related and what percent the VA is responsible. Some Vets don't have SNF benefits. (the snf's the VA pays for are not the best BTW) Advantage plans like UHC has very short limits of snf coverage. Some Vets pretty much only have Dr visits and meds, maybe specialists and hospitalization. UHC in this county halts as soon as a patient goes to hospice and they turn them over to Medicare traditional.

[@davidw8727]

What if I'm a Veteran and get my medical at the VA Hospital? I can save money with an Advantage plan.

[@danklein8587]

Excellent presentation. No Advantage plan for me.

[@MedicareSchool]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jbarrett8292]

I started Medicare June 1, 24. My start date of retirement from a previously employer paid health insurance. I am enrolled in a senior advantage plan. I spoke to one of your agents today who informed me I have 8 months from June 1 to switch to a supplemental plan . Yet your video states 6 months. Which is correct?

[@MedicareSchool]

It i 6 months, we apologize about that mix up. It is 6 months from the day your Medicare Part B started. So you have until the end of next month (November).

[@pamelahenkel4407]

You still have to pay the $174.00 a month with supplemental insurance, plus dental, plus drug coverage, plus vision. Mine wasn't no $125.00 a month. Mine was $300.00 a month for everything. I have advantage plan now and i have never been denied anything.

[@bruceeigsti5274]

Yes it is

[@lorrilewis2178]

I know you only have a six-month period around the time you turn 65 to get a Medicare supplement plan and they can't deny you, but what about ... 1) If you get a supplement at 65, do you have to stay with that supplement to take advantage of the time when they can't deny you? Or can you switch plans later? 2) What about people who at 65 go on Medicare/Medicaid? If they switch to a supplement later on, can they be denied?

[@mtjensen5]

Thank you so much, very informative.

[@MedicareSchool]

Glad we could help!

[@thomasrobinson182]

People who need help paying for groceries. This is how Medicare Advantage plans are pitched to the desperate and the clueless.

[@gloriataruc8371]

And the choice is what? Pay extra premium every month for something you anticipate to happen? Most seniors can’t afford to afford rent, utilities, groceries, etc much more paying for extra premium for insurance! Medicare advantage is really more advantageous for seniors who cannot afford to pay extra premiums for health insurance!

[@BrittMFH]

Yes, that's the option for those of us who scrimped and saved all our lives and have money to fall back on.

[@Zues64]

Until you can’t when faced with a chronic or acute medical condition and those huge OOP expenses. InDeed, Medigap is more expensive but can we really afford not to have it when we need it.

[@eleonorabartoli2225]

Yes, but you loose your medical freedom of choice and the insurance basically decides what care and for how long.

[@eleonorabartoli2225]

@@gloriataruc8371 My medigap plan is 42$ a month, they will pay everything over 3k, which is very doable by saving or a payment plan or government help if it comes to that.

[@cathyP1961]

@@gloriataruc8371 my healthy husband was at the ER twice Tuesday. Still not sure what’s going on . The cost with medigap since he’s already paid his small co-pay will be zero.

[@TomLawless-f2c]

If you live in Virgina. Worked there your whole life, retired there at 65, went on Medicare, and lived in Virgina for 6 years. Now, you move to NY to be with your kids and grandkids. Your new home is in NY, can you switch without all the underwriting questions?

[@MedicareSchool]

NY doesn't have any underwriting concerns. They are actually a guaranteed issue state!

[@markaustin5269]

Yes, NY doesn't have underwriting but that comes with a cost. In NY plans G and N are more than double the national average. Some plans are more than triple. I live in NY and when it comes time to go on Medicare I'll probably go with plan G high deductible which is significantly cheaper.

[@JohnJohn-wr1jo]

We were considering a post retirement move to Upstate NY for multiple reasons. Family has deep roots there. Have vacationed there for 60 plus years and owned a seasonal camping lot for the last twenty. We knew property tax rates were some of the highest in the country but were offset by the low cost of homes. Once we looked at the cost of supplemental plans and the quality of care in NY it was a deal breaker.

[@Direct.injection212]

If you're traveling, networks and having to get referrals gets to be a pain in the neck. Plus you have to do deal with authorizations.

[@g0989]

Those can be issues with either Advantage or non-Medicare commercial insurance, when travelling and seeking non-urgent or non-emergency medical services. Urgent or emergency treatment is covered nationwide by all Advantage plans, at in-network copays.

[@Direct.injection212]

@@g0989 get Original Medicare and a MediGap plan and that gets rid of all those problems.

[@jrae6608]

@@g0989has to be in network is the key word

[@janettetran8382]

Choice? When the person retires with not affordable everything expensive of inflation out there when retirement fund just becomes smaller smaller every month for terrible economy.

[@BeckRD1]

I relate. Not sure what’s out there for our types.

[@teams3345]

What is the Three month before or Three month after you turn 65 to get a Supplement Plan versus Advantage Plan and underwriting?

[@MedicareSchool]

The 3 months before and after pertains to your enrollment to Part A, B and D. You have 6 months from the day your Medicare Part B starts to get a Supplement plan with no medical underwriting. For Advantage plans those do have not underwriting, but you would have to sign up for that with in that 3 months before and after window. Or you will have to wait until AEP to add that plan on.

[@teams3345]

@@MedicareSchool Thanks so much. I have 16 months until my 65th so I am trying to prepare. I know I want Medicare Part G but unsure on what provider.

[@MedicareSchool]

A little closer to time we would love to review plan options with you, or you can review them now as well just to get a general idea of things.

[@teams3345]

@@MedicareSchool I got your number. Will do. Thanks.

[@phantomtroubleshooter2793]

An Advantage plan has a $0 premium but will still have to pay Part B monthly premium even though Advantage replaces A+B. So, what do you get not covered by A+B besides Dental/Vision? I it a Gap Filler like a supplement?

[@daneagan9761]

If someone decides not to take B at 65, and waits say to 70 and incurs the late enrollment penalty for part B, will they still have the 6 month initial enrollment period to for a supplemental without underwriting?

[@MedicareSchool]

Yes, because you are just starting Part B. That window doesn't start until Part B does. No matter what enrollment period you are in.

[@bernadettesandoval3990]

Those chronic conditions are lifestyle diseases that are reversible with lifestyle changes

[@g0989]

That is true, in many cases. Years of tobacco use, alcohol consumption, poor diet, lack of exercise, etc., often comes home to roost later in one's life. But genetic factors also come into play, in some cases. And there is nothing you can do about that.

[@lynnkitchen8252]

Yes, genetics plays a great role The prior statement is a misunderstanding of some diseases. I know people who eat nothing but non starchy vegetables and meat, plus exercise every day and they have diabetes . Don't believe the falsehoods Research the science .

[@bilahn1198]

Get him more expensive Advantage plan, not $0 ones. I pay $167 a month so the co pays are very reasonable. For example, inpatient hospital is $250 STAY.

[@craigbathurst1185]

Disadvantage Plans should not play Dr and should be sued in Federal Court for denying care that the Dr. Says the patient needs. They are so corrupt!!!

[@notusedexer]

@@craigbathurst1185 do you trust doctors?

[@BangNguyen-ux4ie]

Should the doctors have the insurance companies as a "check and balance" or do you think whatever the doctors say they want to do to your body is the gospel? Do you think the doctors also want to order unnecessary procedures on your body because they need to pay off their medical school and BMW/Mercedes car loans? How do you know the doctors always have YOUR best interests at heart?

[@notusedexer]

@@BangNguyen-ux4ie so true! Almost everything could be fixed with vitamins and minerals and doctors will never admit that any supplication is worth anything at all. Doctors will always put you on the most expensive medicines because it's all they know and the drug companies get them bonuses for using the new expensive drugs. And they will insist upon you getting every single shot available because they get bonuses for the shots. If they get 100% of their patients on the shots they get a gold mine. As the percentages drop, the per patient payout drops, so their antennae pain getting every single person on the shot that they can because it's very important to their bottom line. And that's why doctors love to get X-rays and CAT scans and MRIs, the doctors all get kickbacks. So of course doctors are going to want you to get every single thing you can, and of course the advantage plans know you don't really need that s*** but you believe your doctor. All that s*** is just going to make you die quickly.

[@annalyncastro7557]

And this is very sad. We get hit from both ends. All we want is to live comfortably as we go through approach the years we have left.

[@leacanonizado7731]

😮😮 . .

[@MrRjkaszas]

IT IS FOR THE POOR! PERIOD.

[@buckbenelli8]

My friends are not poor, they are very frugal and know full well they are rolling the dice.

[@peterjuodikis1204]

Not entirely correct..everyone has a 1 year trial right to try a Medicare advantage plan at any time and then the option to go to a Medicare supplement plan without going through medical underwriting....beginning at age 65, I had a supplement plan for 5 years...then I used my 1 year trial right with an advantage plan...at the end of 1 year I was able to reenroll in my original supplement plan with the same insurer with no medical questions asked...

[@racebanning6390]

MANDATORY HEALTH COVERAGE IS EXTORTION!

[@KMarik]

@@edie4321Are you Medicare age?

[@KMarik]

Sure but who will pay for your care when you get seriously sick?

[@dinosilone7613]

What’s mandatory about it? You’re free to have nothing if you like, or just Part B. If you want and can afford to pay for more security, the options exist. If you don’t or can’t, nobody is forcing you.