Question from Theresa: I just got notice my Supplement plan premiums are going up again, over $20/month. They rise every year and seem like the increases just keep getting larger each time. What are my options?
I recently went on Medicare for the first time and chose a $0 premium HMO Advantage Plan. Did I make the right choice?
I saw your Facebook post regarding a foundation that is supposedly going to provide several diabetes medications for free. Can you confirm and explain the program and details?
Do you consult with couples in their early 60s doing financial retirement planning for health care costs until we reach Medicare at 65? I want to budget those costs for the next few years and get an idea of what we can expect to pay for Medicare and a Supplement or Advantage Plan as well.
I’m 65 and on Medicare with TRICARE for Life as my Supplement. I’m looking for an additional no cost Medicare Advantage Plan that will provide for Silver Sneakers or some type of fitness plan, and possibly other benefits I don’t currently receive. Do you have any suggestions or recommendations?
Question from Sylvia: I just found out that I need to get the updated Shingles (Shingrix) shot, and in an online chat with the provider to inquire if it’s covered, I found out that my deductible for Tier 3 – 5 drugs is $435. The Shingrix shot is considered a Tier 3 drug and therefore subject to the deductible at a cost to me of $175. That deductible seems a little high and isn’t something I anticipated.
If one has VA benefits, how does that figure into which Medicare plan to consider? I’ll be turning 65 in August and am starting to investigate all my options.
By Aaron Zolbrod
There is no question this week. However, I believe this may be the most important column I’ve ever written. I want it to be read by as many people as possible who have older parents, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, or friends. I need to address a serious problem in Western Pennsylvania as Medicare Annual Election Period begins. Tens of thousands of seniors are grossly overpaying for Advantage Plan HMO’s and PPO’s as well as exposing themselves to higher co-pays, especially for hospitalizations.
I’ve known for years it was an issue, but only until I opened our Pittsburgh location did I realize it could almost be described as an epidemic. At the root is fear, lack of understanding how Advantage Plans work and are regulated, as well as being uncomfortable with change.
I find it to exist almost exclusively among members of one company. The older the people are, the more likely it is that they’ve been entrenched in an overpriced plan for years. The script is almost alwaysthesame.They’vebeenwith their health insurance company for literally decades and it was provided when, “John worked at the mill. And after he retired, we got a Medicare plan with them and have had it ever since.” And they never changed plans, even as premiums increased as much as 500%over the years.
It’s very common to hear this as well. “When John had his heart attack in 2007, the bill was $70,000 and we didn’t pay anything.” This is where the fear often stems from. There’s angst if there were a need for another costly medical procedure or service in the future, a different insurance company would leave them with tens of thousandsof dollarsinbills.
That simply can’t happen due to regulations Medicare puts on Advantage Plan companies. Every
ANSWER:
plan must have a Maximum Out of
Pocket, or MOOP, that represents the most money one can be billed in a calendar year. It ranges from $3,400 to $6,700 and once it’s met, all other medical services, excluding prescription drugs, are paid by the insurance company at 100% the rest of the year. In addition, every Advantage Plan must cover the same benefits as Medicare, as good or better than Medicare, regardless of premium. The $0 plan covers the same exact categories of benefits as the plan that’s $300/month. Only co-pays vary. But as I’m going to illustrate, not enough to warrant paying $2,000 to $3,500 more in premium per year. But we often can’t get that concept through to people, even when shown side by side they aren’t getting fair value in return for paying higher premiums. Many won’t hear of even the suggestion they take a look at other plans.
Two of the most expensive Advantage Plan companies next year will be upwards of $300/month. If those who have either of these were to need Chemotherapy, spend six weeks in a Skilled Nursing Facility, receive expensive injections for Macular Degeneration, require Remicade infusion (quite common today), as well as other more expensive medical services or devices, their bills would total their MOOP, between $4,000 and $5,000. There are other Advantage Plans available that cost as much as $200-$275 less per month ($2,400 to $3,300 less per year). And if the same services were needed, the total bills would be similar, or even lower. A hospitalization on a more expensive plan isn’t even $100 less compared to some of the lower cost plans. In addition, co-pays for other common services such as blood tests, MRI’s, X-Rays, and outpatient surgeries are very often the same. Those who aren’t overpaying, but still refuse to look at competing
724-603-3403
Connellsville
412-349-8818
companies, are often exposed to larger co-pays. Like I mentioned earlier, it’s especially true of hospitalizations. Some of the most popular plans in our area have co- pays for a 5-day or longer hospital stay over $1,000. While plans with lower premiums can have co-pays of up to $800 less!
This dynamic of paying more and getting less is incomprehensible to most and can contribute to people overpaying in my opinion. Most seniors were taught, “you get what you pay for.” Unfortunately, that just doesn’t hold true when it comes to Medicare Advantage. If I were in charge of regulating this program, the first change I would make is limiting premiums to $100/ month.
Here’s the bottom line. With only a handful of exceptions, myself and the agents at The Health Insurance Store WILL NOT be recommending Advantage Plan HMO’s or PPO’s with premiums higher than $60/ month in 2020. If you have an older family member or friend on Medicare, please make sure they aren’t overpaying. Encourage them to have their plan reviewed and compared at The Health Insurance Store. And most importantly, be there for the appointment. I’ve found when a loved one or a trusted friend is by their side to help understand changing plans is the smart choice, they’ll do it. However, it can make all the sense in the world, but without that pat on the back, many will remain on their plan and continue to be taken advantage of.
Consultations are always no cost and can be held in person at one of our office locations, over the phone, or if you’re not in close proximity, we can now provide a virtual appointment. If you have a computer or iPad and the internet, you can interact with an agent just like you were sitting across the desk.
724-603-3403
Connellsville Location
412-349-8818
Forest Hills Location
www.hisc-80ff94.ingress-daribow.easywp.com
Email your question to: aaron@getyourbestplan.om
No-cost, unbiased Medicare plan review and consultation with local, licensed agents
Erie County Area
1105 West 12th Street, Suite – A
Erie, PA 16501
Phone: 814-920-5275
Fax: 814-920-5276
Fayette/Westmoreland County Area
121 North Pittsburgh Street
Connellsville, PA. 15425
Phone: 724-603-3403
Fax: 724-603-3402
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Mailing Address: 128 Forest Hills Plaza, Pittsburgh, PA 15221
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We proudly serve the health insurance and Medicare needs of the following Pennsylvania areas: Connellsville, Uniontown, Greensburg, Mt. Pleasant, Scottdale, Irwin, N. Huntingdon, Murrysville, Monroeville, Plum, Lower Burrell, New Kensington, Pittsburgh, Plum, Oakmont, Penn Hills, Forest Hills, Wilkinsburg, East Liberty, Lawrenceville, Bloomfield, Natrona Heights, Leechburg, Washington, Morgantown WV, Latrobe, Monnessen, Jeanette, Erie, Edinboro, Northeast, Girard, Fairview, Union City, Harborcreek, Corey, Meadville, Waterford, Ligonier, Kittaning, Somerset, Waynesburg, Fayette County, Westmoreland County, Armstrong County, Butler County, Somerset County, Erie County, Crawford County, Venango County, Allegheny Valley, Pennsylvania
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We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.