Switching from Medicare Advantage to original Medicare plus Medigap and PDP.

[LostDollar]

For G-HD it sounds like I should just take the lowest price then.

Caveat, not an agent but an HDF plan holder.

Another carrier I might consider for the HDG and rate stability would be New Era.

A few years back I had a table of New Era price increases that showed minimal adjustment to the HD premiums. I don't know if that has been updated, or if it has, if it is visible to non-agents.

You could ask agents what they think of New Era vs UA for the HD products.

 

[LostDollar]

Not really. $2870 MOOP is pretty low and well worth the low HDG premium.

YMMV

I am NOT saying don't buy the HDG product.

However, I think you should consider with the HD F&G products, if you get locked into one because of health issues, or when you approach end of life care situations, hitting the maximum deductible plus the HDG premium will put you at an annual medigap cost level that would exceed the cost of a regular G plan.

An annually rising deductible will only make that cost scenario worse.

Just an additional consideration for you as you evaluate health insurance premiums in relation to your finances and presumed health scenarios.

 

[goillini52]

Caveat, not an agent but an HDF plan holder.

Another carrier I might consider for the HDG and rate stability would be New Era.

A few years back I had a table of New Era price increases that showed minimal adjustment to the HD premiums. I don't know if that has been updated, or if it has, if it is visible to non-agents.

You could ask agents what they think of New Era vs UA for the HD products.

Good luck with that. New Era's not in Kansas.

 

[LostDollar]

Good luck with that. New Era's not in Kansas.

The KS dept of ins medicare shoppers guide shows them

Premium of $779 for age 80. (Lowest premium on the list for attained age 80 HDG's.)

At this point I probably would have to talk with an agent about underwriting and learn about different premium levels for different health situations. No clue how that would fall out.

UA cost has skyrocketed in last two years according to graph. Now $1,024 for attained age 80.

HDF age 80
New Era $820, UA same as HDG -- $1,024.

 

[LostDollar]

Good luck with that. New Era's not in Kansas.

While looking up info for my previous comment to you, I see something else that looks like maybe I should consider.

I have a BFLIC HDF that is probably costing me somewhere between $650 and $700 a year. That and a previous Medico plan have worked very well for me over the past few years.

HOWEVER, I now see a regional carrier who has an issue age Plan G for age 80 with an annual premium for $200 +/- less than the 2025 HDF deductible.

So have I reached the point where I should switch (if underwriting allows) from HDF to G?

@goillini52
@somarco
@kgmom219
@rmhaire

@ whoever else cares to comment.

 

[rmhaire]

So have I reached the point where I should switch (if underwriting allows) from HDF to G?

I've never crunched the numbers between an HDF and a G but I have with an HDG and a G.

The average HDG premium savings between HDG and G is $800 a year.

It only takes $4,000 in Part B expenses before a plan G becomes more affordable.

And it only takes $2,500 in Part B expenses before a Plan N becomes the better deal.

Again, these numbers are national averages and may need to be tweaked for Kansas.

 

[goillini52]

While looking up info for my previous comment to you, I see something else that looks like maybe I should consider.

I have a BFLIC HDF that is probably costing me somewhere between $650 and $700 a year. That and a previous Medico plan have worked very well for me over the past few years.

HOWEVER, I now see a regional carrier who has an issue age Plan G for age 80 with an annual premium for $200 +/- less than the 2025 HDF deductible.

So have I reached the point where I should switch (if underwriting allows) from HDF to G?

@goillini52
@somarco
@kgmom219
@rmhaire

@ whoever else cares to comment.

Well, the Part B deductible is $257 next year. If I'm understanding correctly, your out of pocket will be about the same either way.

I'd stay with HDF if it was me.....if I understood what you wrote.

 

[goillini52]

The KS dept of ins medicare shoppers guide shows them

I was going by Insurance Toolkit. Wouldn't be the 1st time they were wrong.

 

[LostDollar]

I've never crunched the numbers between an HDF and a G but I have with an HDG and a G.

The average HDG premium savings between HDG and G is $800 a year.

It only takes $4,000 in Part B expenses before a plan G becomes more affordable.

And it only takes $2,500 in Part B expenses before a Plan N becomes the better deal.

Again, these numbers are national averages and may need to be tweaked for Kansas.

(All the comments assume I would pass underwriting for a change.)

When I look at the chart of Medigap plans, I prefer M over N. I would get out of the copay business and risk having to meet 50% of the part A deductible.

Problem is the premiums for Plan M were very very high, presumably because not many are sold.

However, currently Kansas shows a New Era plan M for $1788. (That would be against my current BFLIC premium of $660 per year.) The graph at Ks Dept of Ins shows they have been here with that plan 2022 to date. I don't know if they would/will hold that premium.

I think I have some plan G options at $2600 to 2800+. Definitely options at $2900 to $3000.

 

[LostDollar]

Well, the Part B deductible is $257 next year. If I'm understanding correctly, your out of pocket will be about the same either way.

I'd stay with HDF if it was me.....if I understood what you wrote.

Now that I've thought a bit more, that is kind of my inclination too. I'd like to hold HDF for another 3-4 years, but I can't decide what sort of risk of being unable to change later that places me in.

I suppose I could put a pencil to a floor. Going forward I'm going to have a minimum of 6 office visits per year plus a few tests and / or treatments.

The challenge becomes guessing how many years will hit Maximum deductible.