Are you channeling Don now? All that's needed is to add "the freight train is coming"
What is magical about 2043?
FWIW, most of us who are exclusively/primarily Medigap agents have clients with few debts, home is often paid off, they have savings, maybe a 401(k) or other retirement plan and many deferred SSA benefit until 70.
A number also pay IRMAA.
They willingly pay (prepay if you will) a premium which affords them virtually unfettered access to care and rarely hit the pre-authorization barrier. It's also easier to budget for a serious change in their health and possibly enjoy better care because they are not prohibited from obtaining care from some of the top hospitals in the country.
Just because 48% of the Medicare population has MAPD does not mean they are satisfied and wouldn't change to OM + Medigap if given the opportunity. I get a number of calls each year just like @Yagents from folks who would love to have a Medigap plan. I can accommodate maybe 5% of those that call and have to turn away the rest.
Even if I wrote MAPD that's not what they want. Rather, they want to get as far away from managed care as they can.
Agents talk about saving $X in premiums for their clients but completely ignore the outlay for health care when the client needs something other than routine care. When the T65 prospect calls me and asks why they should consider a Medigap plan when they can get what their friends have with $0 premium, I ask them these questions.
Are all of your friends in good health? Have any of them ever used their plan for a serious medical condition? If so, do they still like their plan?
That usually stops them in their tracks when they recall a friend or relative had an MAPD plan and it was a PITA to navigate plus very expensive.
The party is a lot of fun until the guests leave and someone has to pick up the beer bottles and wine glasses before going to bed.
Actually, I enjoy being part of the "elite" crowd for the first time in my life and it isn't bad at all.
