Seniors on Medicare

[MizzM]

It's insurance decision time again. Since I am new, and DU is a wonderful source of information, I thought I would ask some of the seniors what you have for insurance in order to help me make choices for 2013. Do you prefer Original Medicare with a separate prescription plan, a Medicare Advantage (HMO, PPO, PFFS) that includes prescriptions, or one that does not include Rx coverage? If you could afford it, would you include a Medigap (supplemental) policy that picks up the 20% not paid by original Medicare?

There are lots of choices, and I'm just wondering what you all think. Thanks for your suggestions.

[RebelOne]

1. I just have the basic Plan B Medicare plan.

I can't afford to get any more. I already pay $100 a month for just that.

[crunch60]

4. Don't you have A, comes when you sigm up. That's hospital coverage, automatic.

[Downwinder]

2. I have Basic, Medigap, Part D w/50 % extra help.

[Blue_In_AK]

3. I have Medicare

plus my husband's union coverage for the overage (although there's a $5,000 yearly deductible on that, so it really doesn't help much on the small stuff. They do cover my meds though.). I don't think there are any Medicare advantage plans offered in Alaska.

[crunch60]

5. Just read this article today.. changes coming in SS benefits and price increases to medicare.

I just have A hospital, and B Dr.s visits.. no D coverage

If you're receiving Social Security benefits, your check will rise by 1.7% in 2013, thanks to that program's most recent annual cost-of-living adjustment

While it's a decent proxy for the costs those working folks face, it doesn't completely cover the increases in health care costs that seniors typically see. Not only that, but once Medicare and supplemental insurance programs adjust their premiums later this year, even that modest increase could partially or completely vanish to cover those premium hikes.

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2012/10/23/whats-happening-to-social-security-next-year/?icid=maing-grid7|main5|dl10|sec3_lnk1%26pLid%3D224536

[Worried senior]

6. We have original Medicare

with a Medigap policy. It' costs me about 130.00/mo for the medigap policy but it covers all co-pays and deductibles. It's not always easy to come up with the money but I don't want an advantage or PPO plan unless I have absolutely no choice.

We also have a separate Part D plan, it's not badly priced and get our generic drugs at a participating pharmacy for zero co-pay and no deductible. If we need a brand name drug then the cost is greater.

I know our cost of living raise will totally be eaten up by increases in other bills but at least we're getting something.