Well, getting back at little late, but couldn't sleep and saw my old post. I live in Texas and plans vary from state to state. But last year I went with United Amereican's Supplemental plan F on the advice of an insurance agent. It paid well, but the monthly premium was high and it went up quite a bit for 2009. I like the Supplement Plans because they seem, for me anyway, to pay the most. However, it was pricey so I did some research for 2009 and there are quite a few of them that I could get to look at through Texas Insurance online. My husband was in the military and we had previously had USAA auto insurance which is tops. I checked and it has a AA+ rating, so I we with them at half the price. It's the same coverage that I had before, Supplement Plan F. All Supplements, from company to company cannot vary, except for the price. So do check it out. Also, be sure to check the financial strength of the company you choose by going to AMBest.com. I also like to choose a minimum of an A rated company. If you need any help, let me know. Medicare was not very helpful, neither were some of the local state insurance organizations. I have learned a lot since first becoming eligible for medicare. Thanks and good luck to all. Remember prices vary very much from company to company, but the Supplement you select is the same from all companies.

We also went with Plan F...and the Part D for prescriptions. Then BC/BS for supplemental. Yes, there are cheaper plans than "F" but, once you choose a plan, you can't buy "up" if you need more...you can buy "down" to the cheaper plans, but you can't buy up...So...I feel the best way to go in Plan "F"...Part "D" and BC/BS. That sort of puts it in a nutshell. If you don't take the Part D when you go on medicare, you are penalized something like a percent a month for not having it. Then, if you have a need for it later, it is cost prohibitive. We thought the Part D was mainly to protect lower income people, but have been pleased with the savings it has provided with our medications.

A few minutes ago I saw a post from about six weeks ago where someone asked if anyone had any advice about Medicare supplemental insurance. I am about 70% of the way through reading a Kindle book (price is $5.99) entitled Medicare Demystified: A Physician Helps Save You Time, Money, and Frustration, written by Ronald Kahan, an M.D. who specializes in Dermatology (although his specialty doesn't come into play in this.) I turned 65 last summer, and although I do have Medicare Part A (hospitalization), I do not have Medicare Part B (medical) because I am still covered by my husband's group insurance through his employment as a state employee. But, he is retiring soon and that means I will have to sign up for Medicare Part B. I, too, had a zillion questions and much confusion about Medicare supplemental insurance (also referred to as Medigap insurance). The state retiree system has a whole bunch of choices for Medigap insurance, and I wanted to ensure that I made an intelligent, informed choice. I highly recommend this book. No, you don't need a Kindle to read it. Amazon has free readers you can download onto virtually any device -- desktop computer, laptop, tablet, mobile phone, etc. This book clearly explains Medicare (often referred to as Original Medicare), including Parts A (Hospitalization), B (Medical), C (Medicare Advantage), and D (Drugs), as well as Medigap Insurance (Medicare Supplemental Insurance). It gives a lot of different scenarios and explains how they would affect you depending on which coverage you do or don't have. Considering the escalating costs of medical treatments, $6 is well worth it to avoid the angst and extra money paid out that would be the result of making the wrong choices.

All states have a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). The book is written in such a way that it answers questions you didn't know you had. It gives information you didn't know you needed. And, you can read it at your own pace. You don't need to make repeated calls to your state's SHIP.