General Discussion

dflprincess

(28,094 posts)

10. A medigap plan is bought from a private insurer

Sun Jul 2, 2023, 08:42 PM

Jul 2023

but it's only there to cover what Medicare does not and, I believe, conforms to Medicare rules.

One of the problems with a strictly private plan like Medicare Advantage is that is can limit the network you're in, one of the larger hospital and clinic systems where I live just announced it will no longer accept Humana Advantage plans. They can't do that with traditional Medicare and gap policies. You're also more apt to need preapprovals and have care denied with Advantage.

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PSA - If you enroll in Medicare Advantage, you could be stuck for life [View all] DemBlue76 Jul 2023 OP

No clue, but I never did Advantage, so this is worth considering. DFW Jul 2023 #1

ABSOLUTELY CORRECT Grasswire2 Jul 2023 #2

Medicare Advantage Is a Massive Scam Celerity Jul 2023 #47

Eleventy billion kudos Just Jerome Jul 2023 #51

I posted elsewhere before I saw this. ShazzieB Jul 2023 #72

Really does depend on company, state and conditions... JCMach1 Jul 2023 #94

It is mainly random for many because it is the individual doing the shopping. LiberalFighter Jul 2023 #129

Quit watching cable news. That is not true. True Blue American Jul 2023 #141

cable news? Celerity Jul 2023 #150

Those scare commercials come from cable news! True Blue American Jul 2023 #151

They were simply part of the article and were included for illustrative reasons to show the Celerity Jul 2023 #153

Joe did push Medicare Advantage Plans on cable. True Blue American Jul 2023 #155

Initially tried out a couple of "advantage" plans. Problem I had with them is that allegorical oracle Jul 2023 #119

Supplement NowISeetheLight Jul 2023 #163

You have the right to change each year. True Blue American Jul 2023 #142

The reason Advantage is so cheap and seemingly good now is they want to bankrupt Medicare Eliot Rosewater Jul 2023 #195

Also, choose any MediGap Supplemental plan as best possible from the sprinkleeninow Jul 2023 #3

When my friend and her husband were looking at gap policies dflprincess Jul 2023 #8

Correct advice. sprinkleeninow Jul 2023 #19

That was a dumb statement. Keep in mind they get paid for what they sell you. True Blue American Jul 2023 #143

Definitely need to consider, especially if you can afford an extra $200 to $300 Silent Type Jul 2023 #4

I do not pay a dime for my True Blue American Jul 2023 #144

Yep. Never have been able to afford Medigap insurance. Especially since our property allegorical oracle Jul 2023 #158

Medigap is not private insurance? dpibel Jul 2023 #5

That would be me. MOMFUDSKI Jul 2023 #7

A medigap plan is bought from a private insurer dflprincess Jul 2023 #10

Yes, that's my understanding. I have a Medigap policy with original Medicare. Lonestarblue Jul 2023 #26

People need to ask themselves why, during the open enrollment period dflprincess Jul 2023 #29

Commissions on Medicare Advantage are higher n/t DemBlue76 Jul 2023 #101

I paid no commission! The AMA CHANGED EVERYTHING! True Blue American Jul 2023 #145

I've had a Medicare Advantage plan for 10 years now & it's working just fine for me. elocs Jul 2023 #15

You and over 45% of Medicare Beneficiaries. Respect those who believe Silent Type Jul 2023 #81

That is slightly different IbogaProject Jul 2023 #133

If you were higher income True Blue American Jul 2023 #146

Nope, nothing comes out of my SS check, I get all of it. n/t elocs Jul 2023 #157

Maybe low income answers that. True Blue American Jul 2023 #160

I have a Medigap plan and it costs $95/month Trueblue Texan Jul 2023 #48

My Medigap plan started out costing $108/month. GoodRaisin Jul 2023 #69

It is a very, very limited private insurance. Ms. Toad Jul 2023 #92

I am on Medicare Advantage and love it at140 Jul 2023 #6

Get back to us after Medicare is privatized not fooled Jul 2023 #9

M-A has never questioned any of the very expensive cancer treatments at140 Jul 2023 #16

Same Here DET Jul 2023 #56

Humana is ours. at140 Jul 2023 #111

Thanks DET Jul 2023 #139

As a cancer survivor, I'm happy for you DemBlue76 Jul 2023 #107

Wish you all the best recovery! at140 Jul 2023 #112

I have never seen so much disinformation that is in this thread. True Blue American Jul 2023 #147

Do you have first-hand experience with M-A or... at140 Jul 2023 #175

First hand True Blue American Jul 2023 #176

But I would like to know how M-A affected you adversely at140 Jul 2023 #177

Where did you get that MA True Blue American Jul 2023 #178

Sorry I misunderstood .. I agree med-adv is very good at140 Jul 2023 #189

Thanks, after I posted what they have done for me. True Blue American Jul 2023 #190

+1 n/t ariadne0614 Jul 2023 #17

It was Bill Clinton, not Bush that signed Medicare C MichMan Jul 2023 #18

The road to perdition, as they say. peppertree Jul 2023 #20

He also signed the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (that ushered in corporate consolidation Celerity Jul 2023 #33

Absolutely. He caved in much too often. peppertree Jul 2023 #35

Yup n/t progressoid Jul 2023 #148

Don't forget ending the Fairness Doctrine. keopeli Jul 2023 #34

Sure. It was the '90s, and he drank the Thatcher Kool-Aid peppertree Jul 2023 #36

Indeed! And she lead the charge to reform national healthcare that lost by just 2 votes I believe. keopeli Jul 2023 #39

Her plan was actually pretty good for time. But there was a lot of opposition. Silent Type Jul 2023 #85

The FCC abolished the fairness doctrine in 1987, so that was under Reagan Celerity Jul 2023 #46

That's right - almost forgot peppertree Jul 2023 #49

the Fairness Doctrine doesn't apply to cable, and Fox News did not launch until October 7, 1996 Celerity Jul 2023 #79

Hmm. I stand corrected. Hopefully, I'll remember what it is I'm thinking about. keopeli Jul 2023 #82

No Republican started any program for people. True Blue American Jul 2023 #154

Correct! Just Jerome Jul 2023 #30

Right! Traildogbob Jul 2023 #31

Precisely why for-profit MEDICAL insurance is inherently self serving and awful. Vdizzle Jul 2023 #63

If you want to stop people from taking advantage of something good for them, Silent Type Jul 2023 #83

More scare tactics. True Blue American Jul 2023 #152

I'm sorry about your wife's cancer dflprincess Jul 2023 #11

We are in M-Adv for 6 years already at140 Jul 2023 #22

Very few Doctors do not take MA. True Blue American Jul 2023 #191

I just came out of hospital True Blue American Jul 2023 #41

What do you pay for? moose65 Jul 2023 #67

We have Minus $120 premiums monthly for each me and my wife at140 Jul 2023 #113

I don't get it moose65 Jul 2023 #165

For last 6 years, M-A adds money every month to our SS checks at140 Jul 2023 #174

I have all my bills from Anthem True Blue American Jul 2023 #159

That's a bit misleading. Wonder Why Jul 2023 #12

Advantage plans are all good Demobrat Jul 2023 #13

Medicare advantage plans consistently... Trueblue Texan Jul 2023 #55

Traditional Medicare has limits too. But I'm sure it's worse under MA. Silent Type Jul 2023 #87

Of course...but whether insurance is private or Medicare, fraud exists. nt Trueblue Texan Jul 2023 #109

My wife's medical treatment bills have now exceeded $2 Million at140 Jul 2023 #192

The networks have broadened most Doctors allowed True Blue American Jul 2023 #161

Thom Hartmann has been covering this subject for years. ariadne0614 Jul 2023 #14

Thanks so much! I learned the facts from Thom Hartmann (here on DU) as well! Rhiannon12866 Jul 2023 #24

Happy my Rebl2 Jul 2023 #21

yep. Husband was a federal employee, kept his group fed coverage when Medicare kicked in Attilatheblond Jul 2023 #50

I have Rebl2 Jul 2023 #54

Not to mention, this "Advantage" is not Medicare, but they fail to say that in the constant ads! Rhiannon12866 Jul 2023 #23

The Government says it is on their own website MichMan Jul 2023 #37

That's the Trojan Horse Just Jerome Jul 2023 #40

According to the ads, the "plans" are all local, depending on where you live. Rhiannon12866 Jul 2023 #52

Which is why you enter your zip code on the Medicare website MichMan Jul 2023 #96

And, according to Thom Hartmann, many are scams, which has been documented on this thread: Rhiannon12866 Jul 2023 #98

The Federal government is a co conspirator for promoting them. MichMan Jul 2023 #99

We need a universal health care plan like they have in so many other countries Rhiannon12866 Jul 2023 #100

Isnt Medicare pretty damn close to universal health care as it is? MichMan Jul 2023 #103

Not even close. It partially covers doctors' visits, but not dental or prescriptions Rhiannon12866 Jul 2023 #104

Universal means everyone is covered, not that no one ever has to ever pay anything MichMan Jul 2023 #118

Medicare Advantage True Blue American Jul 2023 #182

I'm glad you were helped, but many are scams, which has been documented on this thread: Rhiannon12866 Jul 2023 #184

Thom Hartman is wrong if He True Blue American Jul 2023 #186

It all depends on the private plan being offered in each local area Rhiannon12866 Jul 2023 #187

I was already likely to stick with traditional Medicare drmeow Jul 2023 #25

You pay for Medicare. True Blue American Jul 2023 #42

And out of your paycheck since the first day you ever worked at a job MichMan Jul 2023 #58

Right, you earned it. True Blue American Jul 2023 #140

You pay a premium for part B drmeow Jul 2023 #110

You will be cheating yourself if you do. Medicare only pays 80%. True Blue American Jul 2023 #183

Do you work for a Medicare Advantage plan or something? drmeow Jul 2023 #185

No, I am much too old True Blue American Jul 2023 #188

Yet another episode of SickOfTheOnePct Jul 2023 #27

Right? SammyWinstonJack Jul 2023 #68

:) True Blue American Jul 2023 #89

Advantage is a backdoor way to privatize Medicare dflprincess Jul 2023 #131

no Skittles Jul 2023 #138

I want SickOfTheOnePct Jul 2023 #149

so the anwer is yes Skittles Jul 2023 #164

Some people only care about themselves Elessar Zappa Jul 2023 #166

BELIEVE WHAT YOU WANT SickOfTheOnePct Jul 2023 #167

I think Part B has to accept you without underwriting yellowdogintexas Jul 2023 #28

I am so sick of all the medicare advantage commercials MiniMe Jul 2023 #32

are the medigap supplements expensive? orleans Jul 2023 #43

You need Rebl2 Jul 2023 #57

Yes. Medigap plans can be expensive. Zorro Jul 2023 #66

You are dead wrong,! True Blue American Jul 2023 #179

My comment was about Medigap plans Zorro Jul 2023 #180

If I am not mistaken True Blue American Jul 2023 #181

I feel exactly the same way, Orleans. ShazzieB Jul 2023 #70

well, good luck to all of us orleans Jul 2023 #76

I have to sort this out in the next six months liberal N proud Jul 2023 #38

i've got less than 6 months to figure it out orleans Jul 2023 #44

If you can afford to start on moonscape Jul 2023 #59

Yes, it was a tough road to negotiate for me too. yonder Jul 2023 #80

thanks for advice. (hug) nt orleans Jul 2023 #91

Exactly liberal N proud Jul 2023 #170

omg! and those pests never stop calling. orleans Jul 2023 #171

LoL liberal N proud Jul 2023 #172

Thanks for the 411. Passed it along to family and will keep in mind as my retirement is 4yrs away. TheBlackAdder Jul 2023 #45

If you do get accepted for a Medigap policy after first being on Medicare Advantage slightlv Jul 2023 #53

"They should not be able to call this "Medicare Part C" coverage, for example" MichMan Jul 2023 #60

This was GW Bush's contribution when he discovered he couldn't kill them outright. n/t slightlv Jul 2023 #62

Medicare Part C was signed into law by Bill Clinton, not Bush MichMan Jul 2023 #73

+1. He's getting bashed for it below. Silent Type Jul 2023 #86

Plus, MA might be okay now, but overnight moonscape Jul 2023 #61

These so called advantage plans are bankrupting Medicare! PortTack Jul 2023 #64

Well shanti Jul 2023 #65

I dig not read all these comments Riverman100 Jul 2023 #71

which conclusions? Celerity Jul 2023 #74

Generally I am a big admirer of your comments but you are consistently wrong about Medicare Advantag grantcart Jul 2023 #84

types of financial and patient abuse in Medicare Advantage Celerity Jul 2023 #93

Bullshit conclusions seldom have good points. Can you clarify? czarjak Jul 2023 #77

Do pediatricians see a lot of patients covered by Medicare? MichMan Jul 2023 #105

He knows the American health care system and insurance. czarjak Jul 2023 #106

actually my primary is classified as a pediatritian by the hospital and i am 70 dembotoz Jul 2023 #120

This message was self-deleted by its author czarjak Jul 2023 #78

More uninformed and mistaken information about Medicare Part C aka Medicare Advantage grantcart Jul 2023 #75

Good, accurate post. To be fair, OP is correct that if you go MA, and decide later Silent Type Jul 2023 #90

Medicare Part C is private insurance. Bluepinky Jul 2023 #132

Thank you grantcart. Our dilemma is tons of meds, which is not unusual for our age group.... Hekate Jul 2023 #136

Yep, I learned this the hard way when I was trying to change insurance on behalf of my elderly mom. W_HAMILTON Jul 2023 #88

Should be called Medicare Disadvantage - And no one should be subject to medical underwriting. GoneOffShore Jul 2023 #95

All true! Emile Jul 2023 #97

Another rule is: If your Advantage plan leaves your State you may choose Regular Medicare Joinfortmill Jul 2023 #102

I am curious why you only paid $365 DemBlue76 Jul 2023 #115

I paid for the hospital bed. Everything else was covered. Joinfortmill Jul 2023 #116

I've had only positive experiences with original Medicare. My brother, on the other hand, Vinca Jul 2023 #108

Let me suggest that a political opinion site BlueIdaho Jul 2023 #114

It is a good place to learn private Advantage plans are Emile Jul 2023 #117

Why did President Clinton sign it into law? MichMan Jul 2023 #121

It was created under George W Bush. Emile Jul 2023 #122

Wrong MichMan Jul 2023 #124

In 2003 there were republican revisions to the 1997 Medicare Advantage law Emile Jul 2023 #125

You said it was created under Bush; it wasn't MichMan Jul 2023 #126

You are wrong, I said Emile Jul 2023 #127

I thought you were opposed in principle to having Medicaid handled by private insurance companies MichMan Jul 2023 #130

I am opposed to private insurance companies taking over Medicare. Emile Jul 2023 #134

Except the OP's is good advice. W_HAMILTON Jul 2023 #135

136 posts later and all we can really conclude is BlueIdaho Jul 2023 #137

Well said n/t SickOfTheOnePct Jul 2023 #156

These medicare advantage plans never made sense to me LetMyPeopleVote Jul 2023 #123

I've been on MA for 8 years TexasBushwhacker Jul 2023 #169

It depends on your plan. I have MA and don't pay a penny for premiums. LiberalFighter Jul 2023 #128

Supplement NowISeetheLight Jul 2023 #162

Kick dalton99a Jul 2023 #168

One risk pool is a health care system. Multiple risk pools is an investment scheme. Ron Green Jul 2023 #173

Hello and quick question for Medicare Advantage folks JB44 Jul 2023 #193

Hello, Yonnie3 Jul 2023 #194

welcome to DU gopiscrap Aug 2023 #196