My Medicare Plan won't be offered in 2025 -- UGH!

[DrQ]

... OR, I can bite the bullet and return to a medigap policy plus separate drug plan for approx $200/month. No worries about underwriting approval because my Advantage plan was discontinued. ...

I forgot, when your (dis)Advantage plan gets cancelled, you are in a SEP again. Congratulations.

 

[TheHolleys87]

While reimbursements are reducing for doctors and other clinicians, Medicare Advantage payments from the government to MA plans are expected to increase by 3.70 percent on average from 2024 to 2025. This is an increase of over $16 billion in 2025 compared to 2024 in expected MA payments. It means that it is going to drive more people to buy Medicare Advantage plans. It's is really bad.

My former employer is offering an Advantage plan for the first time, as an option vs. secondary coverage like we’ve had. After confirming that all our docs take the Advantage plan, and with great trepidation, we’re switching - the Advantage plan will cost us $700 less a month. We felt we had to try it, for that amount, but I’m not thrilled.

 

[VacationForever]

My former employer is offering an Advantage plan for the first time, as an option vs. secondary coverage like we’ve had. After confirming that all our docs take the Advantage plan, and with great trepidation, we’re switching - the Advantage plan will cost us $700 less a month. We felt we had to try it, for that amount, but I’m not thrilled.

You do need to remember that switching back to Medicare Supplement plan will be subject to (health) underwriting after the age of 67, i.e. 2 years after Medicare eligible age of 65.

 

[DrQ]

You do need to remember that switching back to Medicare Supplement plan will be subject to (health) underwriting after the age of 67, i.e. 2 years after Medicare eligible age of 65.

No, if your plan leaves your area, you go into a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) and it resets the clock for guaranteed acceptance for Medigap.

Medicare Special Enrollment Periods

There are many different types of Medicare Special Enrollment Periods. If you've recently had a change in circumstance, you may be eligible.

www.medigap.com

It is a qualifying life changing event.

 

[WaikikiFirst]

It is a qualifying life changing event

What if you move & the same plan is not avail in the new place?

 

[DrQ]

What if you move & the same plan is not avail in the new place?

From the link:

How Do I Know if I Qualified for a SEP?​

Those unsure about eligibility should talk to a [independent] licensed insurance agent. Working with an agent helps you to understand the options available in your area that you’re eligible for enrolling.​

​

If you recently moved and haven’t notified Medicare or your Medicare plan about the move, you must do so immediately. This is also so you can ask about specific dates of enrollment eligibility.​

 

[VacationForever]

What if you move & the same plan is not avail in the new place?

It won't reset. For instance, we moved to a non-Kaiser area and tried to get a Supplement plan for my husband, and he was subject to underwriting.

 

[TheHolleys87]

You do need to remember that switching back to Medicare Supplement plan will be subject to (health) underwriting after the age of 67, i.e. 2 years after Medicare eligible age of 65.

It wasn’t a Medicare Supplement. It was regular insurance, the same policy that covers aLL employees, both retired and not, for this employer. Anyone age 65 or older was required to take Medicare Part B, and this other insurance was secondary to Medicare for those individuals.

 

[Luanne]

My former employer is offering an Advantage plan for the first time, as an option vs. secondary coverage like we’ve had. After confirming that all our docs take the Advantage plan, and with great trepidation, we’re switching - the Advantage plan will cost us $700 less a month. We felt we had to try it, for that amount, but I’m not thrilled.

The company that administers retiree health benefits for my employer is also pushing the Advantage plans. No thanks. I'll stick with my supplement. This year our prescription plan was to drop from 50 cents a month to 0 per month. However, if I want to stick with it through the company that administers it for my former employer it will go to $13.80/month! So I am going to go directly to the company, which is Wellcare for the 0 per month.

 

[clifffaith]

Seems like a good time to mention that with the help of an insurance broker Cliff was able to move to a Supplement plan after a bladder cancer diagnosis and after years on a Medicare HMO. Broker knew that Blue Shield was in a moratorium period and was accepting new enrollees without looking at their medical histories. No way we would have known this without her help.

 

[WinniWoman]

The company that administers retiree health benefits for my employer is also pushing the Advantage plans. No thanks. I'll stick with my supplement. This year our prescription plan was to drop from 50 cents a month to 0 per month. However, if I want to stick with it through the company that administers it for my former employer it will go to $13.80/month! So I am going to go directly to the company, which is Wellcare for the 0 per month.

We have that WellCare plan also but my husband’s former employer’s company that administers employees’ HRA plan is keeping WellCare at the new $0 premium. I was surprised.

We stay with that benefit administrator because if we do his former employer contributes $120 per month to the HRA for the two of us.

 

[Luanne]

We have that WellCare plan also but my husband’s former employer’s company that administers employees’ HRA plan is keeping WellCare at the new $0 premium. I was surprised.

We stay with that benefit administrator because if we do his former employer contributes $120 per month to the HRA for the two of us.

We used to get $3500/year for both of us if we purchase either a Medicare supplement, Advantage plan or prescription plan through the company (AON). But that benefit went away a couple of years ago so there is no incentive for us to stick with buying through them. The only plan I will have though them for next year is my vision care with VSP.

 

[Patri]

We have that WellCare plan also but my husband’s former employer’s company that administers employees’ HRA plan is keeping WellCare at the new $0 premium. I was surprised.

We stay with that benefit administrator because if we do his former employer contributes $120 per month to the HRA for the two of us.

I have that plan too. $0 is good. My out of pocket costs are low.