General Discussion

Just remember, you only have to live with it a year.

I had an advantage plan my first 12 years on Medicare. It covered most drugs also. Only what they took a month out of my social security check. No copays for primary care and a lot of routine tests. No co-insurance, deductables. It was easy. The downside was a limited group of docs and facilities, but in my area that worked out fine.

Until it didn't.

I needed surgery and my husband was in hospice already. I went into it too tired from full time caregiving. I assumed the hospital got all the needed approvals. Turns out the anesthesiologist was not in network. The bill was $12000 to me.

I switched to straight medicare with the AARP United Healthcare supplemental. It's costing me an extra $219 a month for the supplemental. I have never seen a bill, and EOB, nothing. If medicare covers it, United Healthcare pay every penny of the rest. I have NO other costs. I also pay for a drug plan. That's where the real pain the butt is. However, I've been on the insurance plan for a few years with several medical surprises, but everything was covered. Both years, what I paid in premiums to the supplemental more than paid for itself in savings. It has been the "easy" button for me.

I know people who are only on medicare and don't carry a supplemental. They have been lucky so far with no big health issues. The small amount they have to pay that medicare doesn't, isn't adding up to the extra expense of a supplemental. For them, advantage plans with limited networks are not appealing for whatever reason.

My advice, once you decide keep a spreadsheet if you can of all expenses, what was paid for you and what you had to pay. The next year for enrollment you will have a better guide to help you decide.