It's Now Open Season on Seniors: 'Medicare Disadvantage.' Unsolicited Calls, Aggressive Ads

[Silent Type]

6. +1. Don't believe the 51% of Medicare beneficiaries who choose Advantage Plans are as stupid as some

here seem to believe.

Should point out, though, that except for a few states, you cannot switch back to Medicare without undergoing underwriting after the first 12 months. After that, there is no guaranteed issue of a supplement/medigap policy, so if you have a costly medical history, you might be denied a supplement or have to pay a much higher premium than normal. Traditional Medicare without a supplement and drug plan is a quick route to bankruptcy.

(There are two other ways-- You lost your Medicare Advantage plan because you moved outside the plan’s service area, or the plan stopped operating where you live.)

I doubt Medicare Advantage Plans will be banned, especially now that the majority of Medicare beneficiaries choose them (plus, this was not a GOPer Plan, it was signed by Clinton).

I saw a plan the other day that has a small premium (like $50/mo), $3000 in dental benefits, $400 a year for OTC meds, some hearing aid coverage, annual out-of-pocket max, etc. That's tempting for people on a low income. Most Advantage plans are not that good, but they do offer some benefits that traditional Medicare will not cover. But, that plan better than most I've seen.