Exactly what sushipup said. She can pull up the available plans in her area on Medicare.gov for both plans, but it only gives the prices on the advantage plans. For the supplement, she will need to call them all, or just go to a broker who can see the pricing.

Too bad she ever let it go! $250 was a bargain compared to what she might have to pay now...if anyone would even take her at all. Thanks for your information .

I remember when I was going through the Medicare enrollment process last May. A friend was helping me choose options.

When I asked him "Do you think I really need the supplemental insurance?"

He answered, "Do we feel lucky?" lol.

I pay $154.63 a month for mine, but there may be increases as the years go by.

I just received notice today that my supplement “won’t be offered in 2019”??? I’m trying not to panic. Anyone else get this type letter? AARP Medicare Complete (United Health Care)

Yesterday, I got NINE phone calls - all from someone who could barely speak English - wanting me to switch my Medicare Supplement policy during this "Open Enrollment" period. I have TriCare for Life and pay NOTHING for it. Don't think I'll be switching!

I feel sorry for people who have to run this gauntlet to understand options. It's so important and yet so murky. I hope those who need help can get it.

Like anglo I feel fortunate to have coverage as a retirement benefit so I have what's chosen for me. It's only partially subsidized but opting for something different leads me out a one way door. Don't think I'll do that.

Good luck to those having to figure some part of this out.

What is SHIP?
SHIP is a free health benefits counseling service for Medicare beneficiaries and their families or caregivers. SHIPs mission is to educate, advocate, counsel and empower people to make informed healthcare benefit decisions. SHIP is an independent program funded by Federal agencies and is not affiliated with the insurance industry.

SHIP Counseling is FREE of charge
State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs) provide free help to Medicare beneficiaries who have questions or issues with their health insurance. You can call a counselor or attend a workshop/presentation in your area Search by state State Health Insurance Assistance Program

Note: SHIP may be called something else in other states. But all states offer it, whatever they call it. Call your local office of Aging (County Social Services).

Maddielee, where are you located? We have a "F" plan thru United Health/AARP. I know they are all planning on dropping the F plan in a couple of years, and switching to "G" plans, where you pay a deductible ($247? or something close) every year, then the plans are essentially the same.

To be clear, the "F" plans will not be avaiable to new subscribers starting with next year (2019). Anyone who currently has a plan F will be able to continue with it.

Sushipup, I am in Florida. The notice I received mentions SHINE. Service Health Insurance Needs of Elders.

What's interesting is that my husband has the same coverage. He has not received the notice.

Also on the notice: "Keep this letter. It's proof that you have a special right to buy a Medigap policy or join a Medicare plan."

Maddielee, is your plan a Medicare Advantage Plan? Like an HMO, you have to choose doctors within a network? If you move away from one of those plans, then you can buy a supplemental plan.

And SHINE is the same thing as SHIP, under a different name.

Thanks Lindsey, I think I knew that. The upshot is that for current subscribers, the price will increase as the insured pool gets smaller.

PPO

waiting for today's mail,to see if my husband gets a notice.

So it's not a straight supplement plan, then. You can switch to a "G" plan, altho it will cost a little more, you'll have a much wider choice of providers.

Through my husband's company (retired) we connected with OneExchange (now VIA) a marketplace for health insurance options. I'll probably start with them when I have more time to devote to the process. It's a pain in the neck. I am healthy (knock on wood), like my current doctors and my plan was only $77.00 a month. I read too many horror stories about high premiums. Thanks for your input.

My DH's former employer also uses VIA. We just spoke with them yesterday and the day before to: a) Be sure we are each registered as having POA's for one another; and b) Select our Part D plans for 2019.

When we called to do the Part D we discovered they had failed to 'save' the call from the day before, and only half of the POA information had been registered.

Selecting the Part D plans involves two different people at VIA. The first person helps you select the plan(s), then you're transferred to a second person who sets up the legal and financial end. We selected our two (different) plans, then were transferred. The first person had sent along the wrong plans for *both* of us, so we had to go back through those loops again with another 'selection' employee. The second part took ages (due to having to listen to legal boiler plate) but it got done eventually.

I'm concerned about our Medicare supplement coverage for 2019. We each have a high deductible Plan F with BSCS. The company isn't going to want *me* again anyway, now that I require expensive treatment for multiple myeloma -- even if they weren't trying to eliminate Plan F in general.

My supplemental insurance (Plan F) is through Humana.

I do not know if Humana's Medicare area is affected but their regular commercial insurance software is having problems. I have been happy with them except this is the second time in as many years that they are having problems identifying their own products correctly. I kept my employee insurance for us but the claims for my husband since June are being rejected because the policy is supposedly a Medicare plan. The various providers are telling me that they have been working with Humana trying to solve the various problems since before June.

I'd thought that all Humana plans were Medicare Advantage plans -- where you are limited to certain providers.

We have United Health Care a medicare plan not a supplemental plan. My husband is dealing with bladder cancer. Every Dr that he has been recommended to him is covered. He has never been told that any Dr. does not take his plan & this is an HMO. I will be under the same plan as him in January when I turn 65.

The afore mentioned friend of mine has United Health Care and is happy with it. When I told my nephew's wife, who is head of nursing at a senior care facility, that I chose Humana she warned that Humana is one of the worst to deal with when you need nursing home care. I guess I'll find out when the time comes.

Schoolhouse look at the policy. Policies only cover nursing home care if it is medically necessary. Health policies do not cover someone after they no longer need active medical care. I want no one to be surprised with this. Seen too many families at my husband's home that expected their loved ones health policy to care for them after a crisis is over.

HMO plans contract with specific providers. That can be fine if the contracted providers are good, and if you won't need care in another location. We need a Medicare supplement that is accepted by providers in he Chicago area and on Maui. (Some emergency care is usually covered regardless.)

ChiSue, Blue Cross covers in all locations. Medicare is only good in the USA - so if we travel out of the country and need medical care, our Anthem Blue Cross supplement policy converts to being our primary coverage.

Check with your provider to see if when they list Out of Network Providers if those include ones out of your area. Some will, some will not. By out of your area I mean things like if you are sick when traveling or live in one state part of the year but in another for part will doctor visits be covered.