I'm in Massachusetts, have been on a BlueCross BlueShied Medicare Advantage PPO for almost 2 full years now. So far I'm very healthy, only see the doctor 1x per year.
For the same cost ($175/month) as traditional Medicare, I get the following extras: free tier 1 drugs, $1,000 in free medical supplies per year (everything from band-aids to heating pads), $500 toward fitness or weight-loss programs and $1,000 in dental care coverage. My out-of-pocket maximum is $5,600 if I do get something serious.
If I go with regular medicare and want to limit the downside I have to buy a Medicare Supplement plan for an additional $196/month. The major benefit of this route is that I can be anywhere in the US (and internationally although I'm not sure what level of care that is) and get treatment without having to jump through hoops or travel back home.
It's hard to turn down the Advantage program's $2,500 of free services and instead spend $2,350 to get the additional coverage. Yet the Advantage program costs taxpayers more, hurts providers and gives off an increasingly sleazy money-grabbing vibe. Ind the end it seems to me like the insurance companies are using tax money to pay seniors to help the insurance companies siphon more money out of the system.
[edit: clarified that medicare supplement plan cost is additional to the regular plan cost]
For the same cost ($175/month) as traditional Medicare, I get the following extras: free tier 1 drugs, $1,000 in free medical supplies per year (everything from band-aids to heating pads), $500 toward fitness or weight-loss programs and $1,000 in dental care coverage. My out-of-pocket maximum is $5,600 if I do get something serious.
If I go with regular medicare and want to limit the downside I have to buy a Medicare Supplement plan for an additional $196/month. The major benefit of this route is that I can be anywhere in the US (and internationally although I'm not sure what level of care that is) and get treatment without having to jump through hoops or travel back home.
It's hard to turn down the Advantage program's $2,500 of free services and instead spend $2,350 to get the additional coverage. Yet the Advantage program costs taxpayers more, hurts providers and gives off an increasingly sleazy money-grabbing vibe. Ind the end it seems to me like the insurance companies are using tax money to pay seniors to help the insurance companies siphon more money out of the system.
[edit: clarified that medicare supplement plan cost is additional to the regular plan cost]