[Boomer]

It’s that time of years again and, again, I am thinking about giving up our Plan F coverage for Plan G — but I have never gotten around to actually doing that.

Has anyone done this, and, if so, what was the savings on the annual premium cost? I am trying to decide if it is worth it because as I understand it, once you give up Plan F, you can’t get it back — even if you were among the group that was grandfathered in when they stopped it for new enrollees

Boomer

[tuccillo]

I don't know which insurance company you are using but with AARP/UHC it was about $30 a month lower cost with Plan G. Since the only difference between Plan F and Plan G is that Plan F includes the Part B annual deductible, Plan G makes more sense. With Plan F, you are paying about $360 extra per year to save the $226 annual deductible. You may want to also look at Plan N, which is typically another $30 per month lower cost but may include some co-pays and excess charges (not really an issue almost all of the time). With AARP/UHC, you can switch between the lettered plans whenever you want without needing underwriting.

Originally Posted by Boomer

It’s that time of years again and, again, I am thinking about giving up our Plan F coverage for Plan G — but I have never gotten around to actually doing that.

Has anyone done this, and, if so, what was the savings on the annual premium cost? I am trying to decide if it is worth it because as I understand it, once you give up Plan F, you can’t get it back — even if you were among the group that was grandfathered in when they stopped it for new enrollees

Boomer

[petsetc]

As I recall, when I changed in December 2019, my plan G had a $185 deductible and my Plan F premium of around $225.13 monthly dropped to Plan G $96.74. My monthly premium is now $147.48 . The only cost Medicare Supplement Plan G does not cover as compared to Plan F, is the annual Medicare Part B deductible which will be $226 in 2023 (was $233 in 2022).

You do the math!

JMHO

Remember that if you are already on Medicare, switching plns probably requires underwriting.

[kkingston57]

Originally Posted by Boomer

It’s that time of years again and, again, I am thinking about giving up our Plan F coverage for Plan G — but I have never gotten around to actually doing that.

Has anyone done this, and, if so, what was the savings on the annual premium cost? I am trying to decide if it is worth it because as I understand it, once you give up Plan F, you can’t get it back — even if you were among the group that was grandfathered in when they stopped it for new enrollees

Boomer

Too many what if's involved in purchasing plan(s) for myself and that does not include discussions with my wife. Best to choose what is important to you. As in all things we can not predict the future.

[Carla B]

We changed from Plan F to Plan G for 2022. I calculated the potential savings to be around $400 for the year. What I didn't count on was the trouble caused when the pain doc who regularly treated my husband demanded to collect the entire deductible of $233 at his visit in early January, instead of allowing their claim to filter through the system, as did the other doctors.

Then the doctor's office failed to report collecting the deductible to Plan G. When the CMS Summary arrived it stated Plan G had also paid the doctor upon receiving a claim for that visit. This statement was proof that the doc had been overpaid so I set about trying to collect reimbursement from him. There was no response to phone calls or a letter delivered to his office. Finally, one day in October (after my husband quit that practice for other reasons) a check arrived in the mail for the full reimbursement.

After the frustration with the first year of Plan G I'm not sure switching was a good idea, but I learned to be very wary of demands to collect the deductible up front.

[keithwand]

Originally Posted by Carla B

We changed from Plan F to Plan G for 2022. I calculated the potential savings to be around $400 for the year. What I didn't count on was the trouble caused when the pain doc who regularly treated my husband demanded to collect the entire deductible of $233 at his visit in early January, instead of allowing their claim to filter through the system, as did the other doctors.

Then the doctor's office failed to report collecting the deductible to Plan G. When the CMS Summary arrived it stated Plan G had also paid the doctor upon receiving a claim for that visit. This statement was proof that the doc had been overpaid so I set about trying to collect reimbursement from him. There was no response to phone calls or a letter delivered to his office. Finally, one day in October (after my husband quit that practice for other reasons) a check arrived in the mail for the full reimbursement.

After the frustration with the first year of Plan G I'm not sure switching was a good idea, but I learned to be very wary of demands to collect the deductible up front.

That’s why I’m staying with F. Not worth the hassle that you experienced.

[eweissenbach]

I’ve had plan F for twelve years for my wife and I. I signed up for it when I qualified for Medicare because I took care of my father’s affairs the last few years of his life and I saw how well plan F worked for him with numerous health problems. I have never had to write a check for any healthcare issue and that includes my wife who has half a dozen specialists and frequent hospitalizations. Whatever the savings for another plan would not convince me to change.

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by eweissenbach

I’ve had plan F for twelve years for my wife and I. I signed up for it when I qualified for Medicare because I took care of my father’s affairs the last few years of his life and I saw how well plan F worked for him with numerous health problems. I have never had to write a check for any healthcare issue and that includes my wife who has half a dozen specialists and frequent hospitalizations. Whatever the savings for another plan would not convince me to change.

Our experiences mirror yours. Boomer, ask yourself why you would be unable to switch back to plan F. As taught at a business seminar, when a new plan offer is being made by a business, it is never better than the current plan. (Seminar was not regarding Medicare specifically.)

[tuccillo]

If you have AARP/UHC Supplemental in Florida, you can switch back and forth between the lettered plans without underwriting. In other words, if you switch from Plan F to Plan G then you can go back to Plan F. The only advantage of Plan F is the convenience of not having to pay the $200+ Part B deductible. Of course, you do pay a net difference of close to $200 for this convenience.

Originally Posted by Aces4

Our experiences mirror yours. Boomer, ask yourself why you would be unable to switch back to plan F. As taught at a business seminar, when a new plan offer is being made by a business, it is never better than the current plan. (Seminar was not regarding Medicare specifically.)

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by tuccillo

If you have AARP/UHC Supplemental in Florida, you can switch back and forth between the lettered plans without underwriting. In other words, if you switch from Plan F to Plan G then you can go back to Plan F. The only advantage of Plan F is the convenience of not having to pay the $200+ Part B deductible. Of course, you do pay a net difference of close to $200 for this convenience.

From Carla B’s message above, that may be a huge inconvenience regarding the deductible, just sayin…

[tuccillo]

I can only relay my own experiences. Dr. visits that may be subject to the Part B deductible are filed with Medicare and my Supplemental Plans. If I wind up owing money then the provider sends me a bill and I pay it on-line. The supplemental plan keeps track of when the deductible has been met. I have not had any issues and I don't need to keep track of anything. The only inconvenience is firing up the on-line bill pay webpage and paying the bill. Once the Part B deductible is met, Plan F and Plan G are identical, except the premiums are higher with Plan F.

Originally Posted by Aces4

From Carla B’s message above, that may be a huge inconvenience regarding the deductible, just sayin…

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by tuccillo

I can only relay my own experiences. Dr. visits that may be subject to the Part B deductible are filed with Medicare and my Supplemental Plans. If I wind up owing money then the provider sends me a bill and I pay it on-line. The supplemental plan keeps track of when the deductible has been met. I have not had any issues and I don't need to keep track of anything. The only inconvenience is firing up the on-line bill pay webpage and paying the bill. Once the Part B deductible is met, Plan F and Plan G are identical, except the premiums are higher with Plan F.

Carla’s situation is not the first time I’ve heard this. It’s probably best to go to a provider’s office with a checkbook or a fistful of dollars equaling your deductible under your plan.

[tuccillo]

Or wait until Medicare and the Supplemental process the claim and the provider sends you a bill. That is what I do.

Originally Posted by Aces4

Carla’s situation is not the first time I’ve heard this. It’s probably best to go to a provider’s office with a checkbook or a fistful of dollars equaling your deductible under your plan.

[Boomer]

So far, it has been hassle-free, so I will just let it be — decided to hang onto Plan F.

Thanks for the discussion.

Boomer

[manaboutown]

Originally Posted by Boomer

So far, it has been hassle-free, so I will just let it be — decided to hang onto Plan F.

Thanks for the discussion.

Boomer

So did I.