In the fall of 2024, my best friend had back surgery.

[MIButterfly]

In January of this year, the loser she lives with also had back surgery. She told me that when she had surgery, she was in the hospital for recovery for a week and then went to in-patient rehab for another week, but when the loser had surgery, he was out of the hospital on the third day. Imagine that. At the time of her surgery, she was still working; she had a union job with good insurance. The loser, on the other hand is "self-employed" (a felon out on bond that she paid; don't get me started) so who knows what kind of insurance he has, if any. Proof that with good insurance, you get good care and with not-so-good insurance, you get "sucks to be you."

When she retired, I tried to talk her out of getting a Medicare Advantage plan twice, but she went and got one anyway. I just hope it doesn't turn out to be "sucks to be you" when she goes to use it.

P.S. I know many people here have a Medicare Advantage plan and they love it. I sincerely hope it keeps working out for them, but I am skeptical.

[stopdiggin]

1. what a lot of 'people' flatly resfuse to hear ... (apparently)

is that Advantage is (and continues to be) all that many can AFFORD ....

But - 'skepticism' noted ..

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

[MIButterfly]

3. I understand that perfectly. If that's all someone can afford, that's all they can afford.

I wouldn't begrudge them that, not for a minute. But my friend could certainly afford traditional Medicare with a supplement as I am able to afford it (barely). And at my age, I need all the coverage I can get.

It's the same as shopping at Wal-Mart. I would never step foot into Wal-Mart because I don't like their business practices, but I don't begrudge people who do. I understand that times are tough and prices are high and people, especially with families, need to stretch their money as far as they can. I don't look down my nose at them or go around lecturing people on the evils of Wal-Mart. I'm not rich or well off but I am in a position to be able to make a choice about where I shop and it isn't going to be Wal-Mart.

[Norrrm]

2. I checked out MA. I kept regular Medicare.

It has far more flexibility and less need for preapprovals.
It was worth paying the part B for regular Medicare coverage.