Quote:
Originally Posted by cybrgeezer
2B:
Thanks for the detailed answer.
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cybergeezer:
Your welcome.
Some additional information;
1. When I signed-up in May/2010, I decided to drop my employer sponsored group plan as Medicare Complete was better, except that it doesn't pay anything towards the first days in a hospital. I had no plans for being hospitalized and I haven't been hospitalized for many years, (knock on wood),except for a preventive procedure that is now done in a doctor offiice setting. Paid $700 for this procedure under employer insurance and is now covered under Mediacre Complete/2011 at no costs.
I just have doctor visits for preventive measures that required a deductible, (slightly higher deductible than employee plan but employee pan was a higher premium). I wound up slightly ahead in that it was a little better coverage for less money.
2. I live in CT and was informed they have coverage for TV area when I am able to move.
3. You can go to any specialists without a referral from the PCP. Please verify the doctors you want are in the plan.
4. My thinking is such that if one doesn't need to go the hospital for several years, the cost of paying for a supplemantal type plan would be offset by the OOP costs incurred for one hospitalization, (max OOP). Break even point. Please crunch the numbers to verify because I haven't checked this since I joined Medicare Complete. Risk tolerance is also a factor in this type of scenario.
5. The downside is that if one does not sign-up for a supplemental plan when first eligible, your rates will be increased as you get older and want to change, (please verify for yourself). I don't think AARP or any plan can say what that increase will be. It also depends on if one can afford whatever the increase will be at a later date.
6. One side of the coin says that it is throwing away money on insurance you don't need as I am healthy and the other side is saying, I will save a lot of money on medical costs if I get sick. Only you can make that choice.
I've had several conversation with the folks at AARP about what plan is best for me and found they were very informative. I tried to envision all kinds of scenarios but who knows what lies ahead concerning our health. Some people look at insurance as a necessary evil. Resent paying it whan they don't have to and glad they have when something goes awry.
This is the best I can do off the top of my head as I would have to go back and revisit my research notes.
My hope is your decision will be perfect for you.
Only you can decide what's best for you.