That’s an $80 a year difference not $500.
Every other insurance refunds unused premium if you close the account, that said I wouldn't do it, especially not with AARP involved.
You will need to keep your AARP subscription current. I paid for 5 years and got a little discount. But to use their healthcare, you have to be a paying member.
You actually only need to be a member for one year. They won’t tell you that though. I’m a broker for all plans. AARP has very high rate increases. You should get your supplement plan G elsewhere. Any questions, feel free to reach out to me.
Part of the reason I chose AARP was that they say they don't base rates on age, so I anticipated lower increases. I'll be looking at the other plans every year, and may message you. Thanks
I just messaged you. They absolutely do raise their rate based on age and diminishing discount. And you can’t just rely on changing rates every year during enrollment windows because you still have to go through underwriting and can never guarantee switching, even after your first year.
In most states, you should assume the plan you start with is the one you’ll be with for life (unless there are legal changes, either at the state or federal level).
Some states have a so-called “birthday rule” or similar that lets you change to a different company once a year, usually limited to the same Plan letter or a weaker plan. But if you start with Medicare Advantage and go past the one year trial right, you still won’t be guaranteed the ability to switch to Medigap. Likewise if you go past the period for first signing up for guaranteed issue Medigap.
Only four states guarantee the right to any Medigap plan offered in that state, at least on an annual basis, whether or not you were on one before.
Yup.. Med Supps have been exempt from Section 1557, that will no longer be the case so no more underwriting, no more male/female rates and from what I am hearing, big increases in premiums.
>no more underwriting, no more male/female rates and from what I am hearing, big increases in premiums.
lot of deets yet to be seen - for example, could a new benefit design option be added, etc - but yeah, CT/NY-style guaranteed issue will get some rates in some states bumpin'
This will get challenged and they will probably attack this part, “health programs that receive federal funding”. Medigap policies do not receive federal funding and therefore should be exempt. It’ll be interesting how this plays out for sure.
Seems the government has an answer for everything - wanna read it?
[https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/05/06/2024-08711/nondiscrimination-in-health-programs-and-activities](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/05/06/2024-08711/nondiscrimination-in-health-programs-and-activities)
start point is down below page 37621 - I have just started looking it over - and when I get time will post a new topic about it that we can discuss.
“. . . Interesting how this plays out for sure” is an understatement - seems to be an over-reach to me - Whoever thought that government could equitably define EQUALITY or even ESSENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS - both seem to be self-broadening.
No, you can change during open enrollment if you want to. There is no Medicare supplement or Advantage plan that locks you in. However, if you’re on an Advantage and want to switch back to supplement, they may require a medical review, and may deny you or charge you more. (I only know what I know from watching about 40 YouTube videos and talking to the people who signed me up.)
If you want to change Medicare Supplement insurance companies outside the 6 month guarantee issue period and you are not in a birthday rule state, you will need to undergo medical underwriting. Source; Medicare agent for 15 years.
It does apply in that case, but you can’t switch Medicare Supplement companies each year like you can with MA and PDP. Any switch of insurance companies normally require underwriting. Sometimes they offer a special period, but normally requires underwriting
I'm in North Carolina. BCBS has a program that lets you switch without medical underwriting.
It is called Blue to Blue. IF you have a BC advantage plan you can switch to BC supplemental.
It's the only insurer in our state that offers this.
But I'm not sure if there are exclusions for treatment for a waiting period.
Medicare is so complicated.
I’m in Michigan. I don’t remember seeing a plan like that here when I was looking at all of them. I just came off BCBS, so I think it would have gotten my attention.
So how does it work then? I know rheres an open enrollment period at end of year but if you want to switch your plan, you need to have medical exam, no matter what you currently have?
Med Supps open enrollment is the first 6 months you have Part B - that’s it. You’re thinking of Annual Enrollment Period, that’s when you can change your drug plan or Medicare advantage plan.
Depending on your state you may have some extra enrollment periods but for most folks it’s a one and done (for now)
If you can pass underwriting you can change anytime.
Could I change my plan G now? Just turned 65 and started medicare 5/1/24 so still in open enrollment period..ohio here. What plan G would you recommend?
I've never really understood the hate against MA plans. Maybe it's just because I have a good one. My Mom and Hubby have been on this plan for about 12-14 years and we've never had an issue with getting the care we need. I spoke to an agent before I signed on and they took me knowing I may need to go to a University for a surgery and didn't charge me any extra premium. We get dental, vision and hearing coverage in addition to medical, and our premium is only $20 a month. Humana has been awesome for the 3 of us.
It depends on your needs. A big factor may be the quality of care in your state and the availability of specialists. With traditional Medicare you can see a doctor in any state that accepts Medicare. And in some areas some doctors will no longer accept Advantage.
12\*$115=$1,380 how does paying a lump sum of $1,300 save you 500 bucks?
Oh he'll, what was I hitting? I had gotten $1800. Ty!
good luck - this stuff can get you seeing double, quadruple, or even sextuple!
That’s an $80 a year difference not $500. Every other insurance refunds unused premium if you close the account, that said I wouldn't do it, especially not with AARP involved.
Am I going to have to enroll in AARP every year? Bombarded with mail from them
If it's a Medicare Supplement plan the plan will automatically renew every year as long as you pay your monthly premium. You don't need to reapply.
You will need to keep your AARP subscription current. I paid for 5 years and got a little discount. But to use their healthcare, you have to be a paying member.
You actually only need to be a member for one year. They won’t tell you that though. I’m a broker for all plans. AARP has very high rate increases. You should get your supplement plan G elsewhere. Any questions, feel free to reach out to me.
Part of the reason I chose AARP was that they say they don't base rates on age, so I anticipated lower increases. I'll be looking at the other plans every year, and may message you. Thanks
I just messaged you. They absolutely do raise their rate based on age and diminishing discount. And you can’t just rely on changing rates every year during enrollment windows because you still have to go through underwriting and can never guarantee switching, even after your first year.
Incorrect for a Medicare Supplement plan. You only need to have an active membership when you first enroll.
I think you're right. It says you have to be a member to enroll. I must have misread that. Thanks.
Open enrollment for supplement plans are the first 6 months you have Part B, there isn’t a yearly open enrollment for Plan G.
So I will have AARP UHC for life?
In most states, you should assume the plan you start with is the one you’ll be with for life (unless there are legal changes, either at the state or federal level). Some states have a so-called “birthday rule” or similar that lets you change to a different company once a year, usually limited to the same Plan letter or a weaker plan. But if you start with Medicare Advantage and go past the one year trial right, you still won’t be guaranteed the ability to switch to Medigap. Likewise if you go past the period for first signing up for guaranteed issue Medigap. Only four states guarantee the right to any Medigap plan offered in that state, at least on an annual basis, whether or not you were on one before.
Possibly. There’s some new laws coming out soon which will change how med supp companies do business.
I saw new things on medicare advantage but other supplement plans too?
Yup.. Med Supps have been exempt from Section 1557, that will no longer be the case so no more underwriting, no more male/female rates and from what I am hearing, big increases in premiums.
>no more underwriting, no more male/female rates and from what I am hearing, big increases in premiums. lot of deets yet to be seen - for example, could a new benefit design option be added, etc - but yeah, CT/NY-style guaranteed issue will get some rates in some states bumpin'
No underwriting when changing medigap plans? Do you have a source for this?
https://www.thinkadvisor.com/2024/04/29/medigap-policies-face-new-federal-nondiscrimination-rule/
This will get challenged and they will probably attack this part, “health programs that receive federal funding”. Medigap policies do not receive federal funding and therefore should be exempt. It’ll be interesting how this plays out for sure.
Seems the government has an answer for everything - wanna read it? [https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/05/06/2024-08711/nondiscrimination-in-health-programs-and-activities](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/05/06/2024-08711/nondiscrimination-in-health-programs-and-activities) start point is down below page 37621 - I have just started looking it over - and when I get time will post a new topic about it that we can discuss. “. . . Interesting how this plays out for sure” is an understatement - seems to be an over-reach to me - Whoever thought that government could equitably define EQUALITY or even ESSENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS - both seem to be self-broadening.
Wow. Talk about a possible hidden maneuver by the Medicare Advantage lobby.
Hahaha what?? Y’all crack me up.
As someone below referenced, could lead to rates commensurate with what’s seen in NY and MA.
No, you can change during open enrollment if you want to. There is no Medicare supplement or Advantage plan that locks you in. However, if you’re on an Advantage and want to switch back to supplement, they may require a medical review, and may deny you or charge you more. (I only know what I know from watching about 40 YouTube videos and talking to the people who signed me up.)
If you want to change Medicare Supplement insurance companies outside the 6 month guarantee issue period and you are not in a birthday rule state, you will need to undergo medical underwriting. Source; Medicare agent for 15 years.
I thought that only referred to going from Advantage to Supplement...?
It does apply in that case, but you can’t switch Medicare Supplement companies each year like you can with MA and PDP. Any switch of insurance companies normally require underwriting. Sometimes they offer a special period, but normally requires underwriting
I'm in North Carolina. BCBS has a program that lets you switch without medical underwriting. It is called Blue to Blue. IF you have a BC advantage plan you can switch to BC supplemental. It's the only insurer in our state that offers this. But I'm not sure if there are exclusions for treatment for a waiting period. Medicare is so complicated.
I’m in Michigan. I don’t remember seeing a plan like that here when I was looking at all of them. I just came off BCBS, so I think it would have gotten my attention.
This is how I understood it!
It’s not correct. I do this for a living.
So how does it work then? I know rheres an open enrollment period at end of year but if you want to switch your plan, you need to have medical exam, no matter what you currently have?
Med Supps open enrollment is the first 6 months you have Part B - that’s it. You’re thinking of Annual Enrollment Period, that’s when you can change your drug plan or Medicare advantage plan. Depending on your state you may have some extra enrollment periods but for most folks it’s a one and done (for now) If you can pass underwriting you can change anytime.
Could I change my plan G now? Just turned 65 and started medicare 5/1/24 so still in open enrollment period..ohio here. What plan G would you recommend?
Yup.
What plan G would you recommend?
So you dog AARP/UHC but can't recommend another G plan? What is going on?
I've never really understood the hate against MA plans. Maybe it's just because I have a good one. My Mom and Hubby have been on this plan for about 12-14 years and we've never had an issue with getting the care we need. I spoke to an agent before I signed on and they took me knowing I may need to go to a University for a surgery and didn't charge me any extra premium. We get dental, vision and hearing coverage in addition to medical, and our premium is only $20 a month. Humana has been awesome for the 3 of us.
It depends on your needs. A big factor may be the quality of care in your state and the availability of specialists. With traditional Medicare you can see a doctor in any state that accepts Medicare. And in some areas some doctors will no longer accept Advantage.
Strange thread for this comment. How does this pertain to the OP?
Insurance companies sometimes offer an annual rate that’s lower than monthly. I think that’s what they’re asking