Granted there are many issues we are still working through as Medicare Advantage plans enter their 2nd year. There is no question in my mind that Medicare Supplements insurance plans such as Plan "F" are the easiest to use. Quite simply, just ask any provider if "they accept Medicare reimbursements as payment in full". No co pays and no co-insurance to worry about. Your bills will be paid at 100%.

 

Of course this is the preferred plan to choose. Yet for many seniors who are in relatively good health and maybe see a doctor once or twice a year it can be hard for them to understand the value of monthly insurance premiums of $350.00 up to $550.00 per month for husband and wife policy’s. Medicare Advantage plans were designed to be offered to those who are on Medicaid and to offer more comprehensive coverage for those with "Special Needs" medical conditions such as diabetes, cancer, and in stage renal disease. Original Medicare was not designed to manage these types of conditions that have been rapidly affecting the baby boomers.

 

Another reason for Medicare Advantage plans was to address those Medicare Beneficiaries who become eligible and don’t understand this process of selection and enrollment into the new Part D prescriptions plans. Many seniors in the past simply would avoid this process as it required them to go to social security office and be told they needed give back a part of their merger social security earnings towards a part B Medical insurance that still left them  exposed to large amounts of financial risk should they become ill. Now these individuals whose only means of income is from social security are now pre-enrolled into Part B Medicare and given the option to decline.

 

With help and guidance from well intended professionals, these seniors who qualify for "low income subsidies from both state and federal assistance programs can now receive Medicare Benefits paid at 100% with smaller affordable co pays per treatment.