I refer my clients to a woman to handle Medicare. I had recently received a complaint from one of my friends about her getting too big and not giving personal service.
First off, if you haven’t started the process for 2026, get going. Lots of changes.
She actually called me to let me know what is going on and, unfortunately, it sounds eerily similar to what happened to me when ACA came into existence.
First off, many Medicare Advantage plans are being discontinued. Prices on supplement plans are climbing and few offerings.
Part D, they are no longer paying commissions and are telling Part D enrollees to go to Medicare.gov to register for Part D.
Obviously, the costs associated with Medicare are out of control. Something needed to be done. Removing agents from the process doesn’t help anyone. As witnessed by ACA, removing agents did nothing to slow down healthcare costs.
Im worried about this because both parents are on Medicare so i need to read what their best option is. They had a lady help them but she had just kept her on the same plan that’s limited for the last couple years.
The insurance companies are squeezing the doctors and hospitals to lower their prices, but the consumer doesn’t see any improvement. The insurance lobby needs to be eliminated, not just restricted. Our congress just can’t seem to wean themselves off the lobby money.
The costs for doctors overhead and insurance is going up all the time, but the insurance companies still want them to lower their prices.
My wife and I opted for a Supplemental G plan as we are fortunate enough to be able to afford the monthly premiums ($151 and I am 71 / $121 and she is 65). The supplemental G plan, after regular part B deductible is met, pays all of the 20% that part B does not cover. Also, Supplemental G covers 100% of the Part A hospital deductibles. So, our only out of pocket is the Part B deductible and the monthly premiums for Supplemental G plan.
That’s what I have. Interesting, I looked online and the United G, which I have, is $164. However, as a renewal, I have to pay about $50 more. It means I have to leave to another company and then come back to get the cheaper price. Since I like the plan, I’ve had it 2 years, I decided to suck it up for another year.
To make enrollment in the program easier in 2026, those who participated in 2025 will be reenrolled automatically unless they opt out or change to a new Part D or Medicare Advantage plan. If you do change plans and want to continue on a payment plan, just contact your new drug plan.
“Automatic renewal eases burden for both participants and plan sponsors,” CMS said. For participants who decide not to stay, Part D plans must process their opt-out request within three days.
Yes, I had AARP UHC and the premium for 2025 jumped about $40 to $211. I worked with a Medicare advisor firm, and she found the Cigna G in my zip code at $151 for 2025.
FYI - All G plans from any insurance company are the same coverage, just different premiums.
Pays to look around every few years. Supplement G is going to go up every year with most all insurance companies. Last year AARP UHC Supplement G got right at $500 a month for my wife and I, plus Walgreens part D had increases for our meds too.
I was a little hesitant about advantage plans but researched some and low and behold in my zip AARP UHC TX PPO Advantage had $0 monthly medical or drug premium. Two different UHC plans, vastly different monthly premiums.
We pay $35-$40 co-pays on our specialist several times a year when we go to them, $0 on our primary. We have our same doctors and use the same Walgreens most often. The meds co-pays are about the same or lower. Many of ours are $0. Tip on the meds: do the comparison chart on Medicare site for several pharmacies. Prices can vary on the different meds so you can fill each at the pharmacy that’s cheapest. Sometimes GoodRx and others best insurance.
This year I will end up saving over $6,000 on premiums and have so far spent a little over $1,600 in co-pays on meds, specialist and two emergency room visits, one ambulance transfer and one kidney stone admission and surgery.
Good luck, hope y’all have good outcomes on your decisions. Go Old Coogs
norbert - There is nothing wrong with Medicare A and B. Wife and I opted for Medicare Supplemental G plan (after meeting part B deductible) as it covers the Medicare 20% co-pay and the Medicare A (hospitalization) deductible of approximately $1,700 per occurrence. Also, if there is a major surgery, like heart bypass at $500,000 or so, we are not out the 20% copay of $100,000 with Supplemental G.
Despite the heavy advertising for local Medicare Advantage Plans, I still prefer traditional Medicare with a Supplement Plan + a Medicare Part D Rx Plan. I too have Plan F. Medicare Advantage is appropriate for some individuals who cannot afford the Medicare supplement premium. Keep in mind there are greater restrictions in terms of access and of network of providers with Medicare Advantage, but conceptually, they should provide the same coverage. Traditional Medicare allows you to see any provider who accepts Medicare. I prefer going to see my own doctors.
I’m on G. Aetna, they’ve been great. Only problem is that I just had a big hit on my renewal last month. Looking at United to save some money but they actually want me to go to a doctor to qualify! Pretty rude. I’m old school, 76 and if it hurts, rub some dirt on it and see what happens.
That is why a little research is good on Medicare site. The site menu selections are clear and easy to use.
Some Advantage plans are HMO and some are PPO and there isn’t much difference in the coverage. Most all providers that accept multiple insurance companies and accept Medicare will accept most Advantage PPOs. It’s the HMOs that lock people into only one network.
I’m on disability and had to choose between Medicare and Medicare Advantage. I got United Medicare Advantage from AARP- UHC TX-0042.
All my preferred doctors are covered.
PCP is $0
Specialist is $25 ($10 more than 2025)
Two of my three prescriptions are $0, One is tier 4 but costs about $50 less per month than it did in 2025
$5,000 for covered dental services
$50 credit a quarter for OTC products ($25 less than 2025)
$250 eyewear allowance and eye exam ($50 less than 2025)
Free Gold’s Gym membership.
My disability keeps me from driving. This gives me 24 free trips to and from doctor visits with Uber or Lyft (my pharmacy delivers for free and is within walking distance of my house).
Out of pocket maximum is $3900 (same as 2025).
Premium is $32/month and well worth the price for my needs.
