Re: Disabilty and Medicare Options

[Guest guest]

Actually the medicare.gov site is great at showing the plans available

in your state. One thing for any of you under 65 to carefully note is

that no insurer is required to offer the same supplements to you that

they offer to retirees. So, check the charts carefully for those offered

to " under 65 " . In Texas, for instance, they are only required to offer

Plan A. Only one insurer in Texas offers Plan F to those under 65. Learn

what the terms mean too and the differences between PFFS and PPO and

HMO. Check to see if your doctors are on the plans you're looking at.

A multiple line agent can help, although they will not discuss all plans

since, for instance, they won't be offering the AARP plans. Similarly, I

got valuable assistance after my research from medigap360.com but, if

you're in a state with good Advantage plans, they won't offer those, as

they are strictly supplement oriented. Now, in Texas, there is no good

Advantage plan.

Now, the same lessons apply to using an agent or other source, such as

local group, to help choose a plan as in dealing with your doctor. Ask

all your questions and be sure you completely understand.

For any of you attempting to use the medicare.gov site to learn more

about your state and having any problems, feel free to email me and I'll

be glad to help. I am quite good at using it since I obsessed when

deciding my plan and did far more analysis than any sensible human being

would.

>

> / Beth and others,

>

> Various groups can be helpful sorting through Medicare options,

> including Medicare Supplements and Medicare Advantage (vary per state)

> plans. But I recommend that you locate and talk with two or more

> knowledgeable insurance agents to complement what you get from other

> sources. If you don't know an agent or don't know where to go, you can

> google the Health Underwriters Association in your state, go to the

club

> nearest you, and call the president or membership chair for that club.

> Tell them you need someone near your zip code who is knowledgeable

about

> Medicare options, since many are not, and ask for two or more names.

>

> With Medicare Supplement plans...Plan F is one of the most commonly

> chosen because it covers the excess charges above what Medicare

> covers...you should also consider adding a Part D Prescription plan.

>

> Medicare Advantage plans are different, and actually replace Medicare,

> and may or may not include Part D coverage. Some states offer what are

> called Evercare plans which are designed for individuals with specific

> illnesses.

>

> I work with such plans in NC, so please feel free to call or email me

> with any questions.

>

> Dale NC, 67, IPF 7/08

>