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Originally Posted by Michael 61
Traditional Medicare vs Medicare advantage is a MAJOR decision when one turns 65. I’m still a few years away from 65, but doing my research now. I think the mistake many make is that they look at their current health at 65 and make a decision based on how healthy they are currently. It’s important to look into the future, and consider what your health costs could be, as well as access to specialists, under each program should you need extensive health care, hospitalization, surgeries, rehab, etc. There is no “one size fits all” here. But it’s important to remember it can be very difficult, if not impossible, to switch from advantage to traditional Medicare when you are in your 70s or 80s if you have been diagnosed with serious health issues.
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As far as I can tell, the main objection to advantage is that you are limited to in-network doctors while Medicare allows you to see any doctor. But in reality, can you see the best doctor in the USA or the best doctor in Florida? You can probably see the best doctor in Sumter County. I don’t think a doctor can see more than 32 people a day and that is probably generous. So your doctor is limited even with Medicare.
However, you are probably saving a lot of money every year with advantage.
And does the doctor make a difference? I have seen very wealthy people that have the best medical care in the world die from cancer or other diseases. And I have seen middle class people go to a regular doctor make miraculous recoveries.
Does anyone have any facts on whether people live longer under Medicare as opposed to those who have advantage?