UPDATE My Medigap Plan G went from 115 to 251

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montanagirl
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UPDATE My Medigap Plan G went from 115 to 251

Post by montanagirl »

I just got my renewal notice from Equitable of Salt Lake. I was expecting an increase of about 15 as in years past. I checked out the Medicare site and when you search on Plan G insurers Equitable doesn't even show up, like they're not offering it anymore so what's going on. It started out very reasonably priced compared to others except AARP, and offered both attained age and issue-age policies.

Anyone else getting hit with big increases? It's too early to call but I thought I'd put it out there FYI.
Last edited by montanagirl on Thu Jun 07, 2018 10:42 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Sheepdog
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Re: My Medigap Plan G went from 115 to 251

Post by Sheepdog »

montanagirl wrote: Wed May 30, 2018 8:17 am I just got my renewal notice from Equitable of Salt Lake. I was expecting an increase of about 15 as in years past. I checked out the Medicare site and when you search on Plan G insurers Equitable doesn't even show up, like they're not offering it anymore so what's going on. It started out very reasonably priced compared to others except AARP, and offered both attained age and issue-age policies.

Anyone else getting hit with big increases? It's too early to call but I thought I'd put it out there FYI.
Mgirl, I had similar high increases as I reached my early 70s. I would look for new insurers for Plan G Medigap and Part D and changed several times over the following years for lower rates. In 2014 (my age 81) because of more high increases I changed to an Advantage plan to replace Plan G and Part D. That has saved me $2000 a year since, plus I gained some dental, vision and hearing coverage. My wife's costs were increasing also so she changed to her Advantage plan 2 years ago (her age 76). She is savings $2000 a year now as well.

It appears that age cost increases in Medigap plans are the nature of the beasts. (We like our Advantage plans.)
Last edited by Sheepdog on Wed May 30, 2018 8:53 am, edited 1 time in total.
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montanagirl
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Re: My Medigap Plan G went from 115 to 251

Post by montanagirl »

Sheepdog wrote: Wed May 30, 2018 8:48 am

It appears that age cost increases in Medigap plans are the nature of the beasts. (We like our Advantage plans.)

Well yeah they're tempting, and my husband used one for years. Then suddenly things got serious, he went into the hospital for 10 days, and when his MA plan was terminated, his agent put him on a Plan F.

So it seems to be as I thought, that MA is great as long as nothing really serious happens.
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Re: My Medigap Plan G went from 115 to 251

Post by 2015 »

This isn't true. A relative has several serious health conditions and an MA plan. I was socked to learn she has no premiums and paid less than six hundred dollars last year for all co-pays. This year she was hospitalized, had home health care, was transported by ambulance and helicopter and paid less than a thousand dollars to include all co-pays. By the way, her care was/is outstanding.
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Re: My Medigap Plan G went from 115 to 251

Post by Spirit Rider »

Could you clarify if this is an Attained-Age, Issue-Age, or Community Rated plan?

Attained-Age plans are susceptible to larger increases, but I have not seen a jump this large. It would surprise me if this was an Issue-Age, or Community Rated plan.

I could see this happening with serious illness clustering in a sparsely populated Attained-Age plan. If you can pass medical underwriting you will certainly want to change if you can.
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montanagirl
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Re: My Medigap Plan G went from 115 to 251

Post by montanagirl »

Spirit Rider wrote: Wed May 30, 2018 10:50 am Could you clarify if this is an Attained-Age, Issue-Age, or Community Rated plan?

Attained-Age plans are susceptible to larger increases, but I have not seen a jump this large. It would surprise me if this was an Issue-Age, or Community Rated plan
Funny you should ask. I called and the increase was for attained age, and I told the agent I signed up for issue age. She said oh yeah we DO offer that in your state and I said you offered both when I signed up and made a big point that was what I wanted. And my premium was higher than attained age premium.

So they are reviewing my policy and she's supposed to call me back.

Scary that that could just 'lose' that detail like that.
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dm200
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Re: My Medigap Plan G went from 115 to 251

Post by dm200 »

2015 wrote: Wed May 30, 2018 10:36 am This isn't true. A relative has several serious health conditions and an MA plan. I was socked to learn she has no premiums and paid less than six hundred dollars last year for all co-pays. This year she was hospitalized, had home health care, was transported by ambulance and helicopter and paid less than a thousand dollars to include all co-pays. By the way, her care was/is outstanding.
My observation is that MA (and the similar MC) plans are often unfairly criticized here. No premiums are not uncommon and premiums are often low or very low. My Kaiser plan is $30 per month (including drug coverage). Office visits with PCP are $20 copay and $45 for specialists. Often, you don't need to see and pay for a specialist because the PCP consults with the specialist. Outpatient surgery is only $250 - everything included. Fortunately, no hospitalization yet - but I believe that is $850. No charge for email or telephone "visits" or virtual house calls (smartphone two way). Urgent care available 24x7 and telephone advice/help 24x7.

I never need to face the need to find a specialist - Kaiser finds one right away - and appointments for urgent matters are very fast - same or next day. My wife had a 10 am annual physical a few months ago - and her PCP sent her to see a surgeon for s potentially serious condition for a 12 noon appointment. hard to beat that!!

Yes, I could have to max out annual out of pocket for $6,000 - BUT even several years of $6,000 is offset by the savings most years. Cost is LOW and quality is (in my opinion and experience) HIGH.
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Re: My Medigap Plan G went from 115 to 251

Post by Glockenspiel »

Seems very reasonable for health insurance for an elderly person.
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dm200
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Re: My Medigap Plan G went from 115 to 251

Post by dm200 »

As far as I know, Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Cost (MC) plans have the same annual premiums for all ages, as well as the same charges/copays and annual out of pocket charges. Of course, on average, the older we get -- the more services we will utilize - and, often, have to pay for.
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Re: My Medigap Plan G went from 115 to 251

Post by jebmke »

montanagirl wrote: Wed May 30, 2018 8:52 am So it seems to be as I thought, that MA is great as long as nothing really serious happens.
My sense is that there can be significant MA variability based on where you are. I have a sibling who has an excellent MA plan. Every time she and I look at the numbers it always makes sense to stay on the plan and there seems to be no compromise in the quality and no restrictions on network. At the other end of the spectrum, MA plans aren't even offered in my area.
Don't trust me, look it up. https://www.irs.gov/forms-instructions-and-publications
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Re: My Medigap Plan G went from 115 to 251

Post by dm200 »

jebmke wrote: Wed May 30, 2018 1:55 pm
montanagirl wrote: Wed May 30, 2018 8:52 am So it seems to be as I thought, that MA is great as long as nothing really serious happens.
My sense is that there can be significant MA variability based on where you are. I have a sibling who has an excellent MA plan. Every time she and I look at the numbers it always makes sense to stay on the plan and there seems to be no compromise in the quality and no restrictions on network. At the other end of the spectrum, MA plans aren't even offered in my area.
Yes - that is all very true. Even MA plans from the same provider can vary a lot from one area to another.

Seems odd, though, that there are no MA plans available in your area.
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montanagirl
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Re: My Medigap Plan G went from 115 to 251

Post by montanagirl »

Well, they called back and corrected the mistake. The increase in "only" 119. The issue age term fell through the cracks when I switched from Plan F.

So, I'm shopping around
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Re: My Medigap Plan G went from 115 to 251

Post by kaneohe »

montanagirl wrote: Wed May 30, 2018 10:57 am
Spirit Rider wrote: Wed May 30, 2018 10:50 am Could you clarify if this is an Attained-Age, Issue-Age, or Community Rated plan?

Attained-Age plans are susceptible to larger increases, but I have not seen a jump this large. It would surprise me if this was an Issue-Age, or Community Rated plan
Funny you should ask. I called and the increase was for attained age, and I told the agent I signed up for issue age. She said oh yeah we DO offer that in your state and I said you offered both when I signed up and made a big point that was what I wanted. And my premium was higher than attained age premium.

So they are reviewing my policy and she's supposed to call me back.

Scary that that could just 'lose' that detail like that.
Do you have documentation that your initial premium was for issue age policy for first and perhaps some subsequent yrs? Seems like you should be able to hold them to the initial type policy that you got.
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Re: My Medigap Plan G went from 115 to 251

Post by montanagirl »

kaneohe wrote: Wed May 30, 2018 6:04 pm
Do you have documentation that your initial premium was for issue age policy for first and perhaps some subsequent yrs? Seems like you should be able to hold them to the initial type policy that you got.
No, I forgot that there was no discussion of issue age when I switched to G. My mistake...but still, what a huge jump in premium which wasn't really explained to me except for the usual hand-waving.

I will turn 70 next year, which will be in this coverage period. Is that was causes an increase like this?

Anyway, I will probably be switching to Plan N.
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Re: My Medigap Plan G went from 115 to 251

Post by kaneohe »

montanagirl wrote: Thu May 31, 2018 8:19 am
kaneohe wrote: Wed May 30, 2018 6:04 pm
Do you have documentation that your initial premium was for issue age policy for first and perhaps some subsequent yrs? Seems like you should be able to hold them to the initial type policy that you got.
No, I forgot that there was no discussion of issue age when I switched to G. My mistake...but still, what a huge jump in premium which wasn't really explained to me except for the usual hand-waving.

I will turn 70 next year, which will be in this coverage period. Is that was causes an increase like this?

Anyway, I will probably be switching to Plan N.
Thanks for educating the rest of us w/ your sacrifice........hopefully I'll still remember this lesson if the time ever
comes........better yet , if AARP with its community rating has the policy . Don't know how the attained age rates get determined but I'm surprised that there would be a step function rise like that. I would think they would do a gradual continuous increase so as not to get the affected crabs in the pot so excited they try to escape. Good luck in finding something better.
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Re: My Medigap Plan G went from 115 to 251

Post by bikechuck »

2015 wrote: Wed May 30, 2018 10:36 am This isn't true. A relative has several serious health conditions and an MA plan. I was socked to learn she has no premiums and paid less than six hundred dollars last year for all co-pays. This year she was hospitalized, had home health care, was transported by ambulance and helicopter and paid less than a thousand dollars to include all co-pays. By the way, her care was/is outstanding.
How well do MA plans work if you get sick while traveling and you need to see an out of network provider? Fear of that has been holding me back from them.
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Re: My Medigap Plan G went from 115 to 251

Post by MrTom »

bikechuck wrote: Thu May 31, 2018 4:40 pm
2015 wrote: Wed May 30, 2018 10:36 am This isn't true. A relative has several serious health conditions and an MA plan. I was socked to learn she has no premiums and paid less than six hundred dollars last year for all co-pays. This year she was hospitalized, had home health care, was transported by ambulance and helicopter and paid less than a thousand dollars to include all co-pays. By the way, her care was/is outstanding.
How well do MA plans work if you get sick while traveling and you need to see an out of network provider? Fear of that has been holding me back from them.
it all depends on the MA plan. some have no out of network benefits at all, except for emergency care.
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Re: My Medigap Plan G went from 115 to 251

Post by dm200 »

bikechuck wrote: Thu May 31, 2018 4:40 pm
2015 wrote: Wed May 30, 2018 10:36 am This isn't true. A relative has several serious health conditions and an MA plan. I was socked to learn she has no premiums and paid less than six hundred dollars last year for all co-pays. This year she was hospitalized, had home health care, was transported by ambulance and helicopter and paid less than a thousand dollars to include all co-pays. By the way, her care was/is outstanding.
How well do MA plans work if you get sick while traveling and you need to see an out of network provider? Fear of that has been holding me back from them.
I believe it depends on all the details and policies/practices of the MA plan. I/we have never used out of area services, but a friend has done so. he is also on the Kaiser medicare plan - and he had an injury while being a Scout leader out of the area. It was more "urgent" than emergency - and he called Kaiser and was directed to seek attention locally - and it was covered. Maybe some other MA plan folks could also comment. I suspect that you would be fine for emergencies and urgent care - as opposed to just seeing a doctor for more normal and routine things that can wait a few days or weeks until return.

I might first call the sales folks at the MA plan and ask them to point out the provisions in the policy. THEN - try to find some local folks on that plan and see if any have used such services.
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Re: My Medigap Plan G went from 115 to 251

Post by Katietsu »

The biggest risk with a MA plan is that you lose your ability to sign up for a Medigap plan without medical underwriting as long as any MA plan is offered in your area. So if you have two MA plans in your area, and the plan that worked well for you ceases to exist, you will need to move to the other MA plan even if it does not meet your needs well. Alternatively, you could go to traditional Medicare with no maximum out of pocket or go through medical underwriting for a Medigap policy.
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Re: My Medigap Plan G went from 115 to 251

Post by dm200 »

Katietsu wrote: Fri Jun 01, 2018 11:18 am The biggest risk with a MA plan is that you lose your ability to sign up for a Medigap plan without medical underwriting as long as any MA plan is offered in your area. So if you have two MA plans in your area, and the plan that worked well for you ceases to exist, you will need to move to the other MA plan even if it does not meet your needs well. Alternatively, you could go to traditional Medicare with no maximum out of pocket or go through medical underwriting for a Medigap policy.
Yes, I believe that is true. However, it seems to me that it then makes some sense to evaluate all the MA plans available in your area, if this is a big concern. If you move away into an area with no MA plans, I believe you can get a medigap plan there with Original medicare.

One often cited factor in just about all kinds of health/medical insurance is the ability to keep current Physicians. While I have often liked previous Physicians and I am very happy with all of mine now, I currently do not have keeping my current Physicians as a priority. As often as not, when forced to change Physicians (either Primary Care or Specialty) - I have often discovered that the new Physician was better than the old one (20/20 hindsight - and certainly true of my current PCP)
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Re: My Medigap Plan G went from 115 to 251

Post by celia »

Your current $115 premium sounds ridiculously low. Possibly that was an introductory rate.

Be aware that if you change plans, you might be selecting another introductory rate and the premium could jump after a year or two.
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Re: My Medigap Plan G went from 115 to 251

Post by MtnBiker »

celia wrote: Fri Jun 01, 2018 12:55 pm Your current $115 premium sounds ridiculously low. Possibly that was an introductory rate.
Doesn't sound low to me. When my wife and I joined Medicare last year (at age 65), we comparison shopped for Plan G. In our state (Idaho) only issue-age rated policies are available. We selected Aetna at $115/mo because it was near the lowest price, included a household discount, is a company that we have heard of before, and according to the agent has a history of reasonably stable rates. The plans with the absolute lowest rates were from companies that were new to the state and possibly may have been offering teaser rates.

This year the Aetna rate is increasing from 115 to 122 (after household discount).
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Re: My Medigap Plan G went from 115 to 251

Post by 2015 »

celia wrote: Fri Jun 01, 2018 12:55 pm Your current $115 premium sounds ridiculously low. Possibly that was an introductory rate.

Be aware that if you change plans, you might be selecting another introductory rate and the premium could jump after a year or two.
My relative's premium is even more ridiculous: $0. And no, it wasn't an "introductory rate", as she's been with them for the past 5 years. I was shocked that so many of her co-pays were $0 as well. She paid about $600 for her entire hospital stay, which included emergency medical transport, durable medical equipment co-pays, and home health, lots and lots and lots of scans, as well as about 6 or 7 medications for all kind of serious conditions (all generic, however). I couldn't believe it. Her health care costs her almost nothing. As for coverage while travelling, she ain't going nowhere. She's now in hospice. 100% paid, everything but what is known as personal care (e.g., housecleaning, cooking, laundry, etc.). Fortunately, she has the money to pay for personal care.
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Re: My Medigap Plan G went from 115 to 251

Post by dm200 »

2015 wrote: Fri Jun 01, 2018 3:04 pm
celia wrote: Fri Jun 01, 2018 12:55 pm Your current $115 premium sounds ridiculously low. Possibly that was an introductory rate.

Be aware that if you change plans, you might be selecting another introductory rate and the premium could jump after a year or two.
My relative's premium is even more ridiculous: $0. And no, it wasn't an "introductory rate", as she's been with them for the past 5 years. I was shocked that so many of her co-pays were $0 as well. She paid about $600 for her entire hospital stay, which included emergency medical transport, durable medical equipment co-pays, and home health, lots and lots and lots of scans, as well as about 6 or 7 medications for all kind of serious conditions (all generic, however). I couldn't believe it. Her health care costs her almost nothing. As for coverage while travelling, she ain't going nowhere. She's now in hospice. 100% paid, everything but what is known as personal care (e.g., housecleaning, cooking, laundry, etc.). Fortunately, she has the money to pay for personal care.
Zero sounds like a MA plan and NOT a Medigap plan. The OP was for Medigap - not MA.
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Re: My Medigap Plan G went from 115 to 251

Post by cheese_breath »

My Transamerica plan G went from $165 to $175.
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Re: My Medigap Plan G went from 115 to 251

Post by 2015 »

dm200 wrote: Fri Jun 01, 2018 3:29 pm
2015 wrote: Fri Jun 01, 2018 3:04 pm
celia wrote: Fri Jun 01, 2018 12:55 pm Your current $115 premium sounds ridiculously low. Possibly that was an introductory rate.

Be aware that if you change plans, you might be selecting another introductory rate and the premium could jump after a year or two.
My relative's premium is even more ridiculous: $0. And no, it wasn't an "introductory rate", as she's been with them for the past 5 years. I was shocked that so many of her co-pays were $0 as well. She paid about $600 for her entire hospital stay, which included emergency medical transport, durable medical equipment co-pays, and home health, lots and lots and lots of scans, as well as about 6 or 7 medications for all kind of serious conditions (all generic, however). I couldn't believe it. Her health care costs her almost nothing. As for coverage while travelling, she ain't going nowhere. She's now in hospice. 100% paid, everything but what is known as personal care (e.g., housecleaning, cooking, laundry, etc.). Fortunately, she has the money to pay for personal care.
Zero sounds like a MA plan and NOT a Medigap plan. The OP was for Medigap - not MA.
Yes, it is an MA plan. Thank you for clarifying. I will also add that I'm not sure those on Medigap plans would be happy having to navigate the referral process required by HMO plans (perhaps with the exception of Kaiser). I've personally had no issue with such navigation in all the years on employer HMO plans. I'm leaning towards (but not 100% percent) an MA plan, possibly Kaiser, as I have other relatives who are very pleased with it.
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Re: My Medigap Plan G went from 115 to 251

Post by montanagirl »

MtnBiker wrote: Fri Jun 01, 2018 2:26 pm
celia wrote: Fri Jun 01, 2018 12:55 pm Your current $115 premium sounds ridiculously low. Possibly that was an introductory rate.
Doesn't sound low to me. When my wife and I joined Medicare last year (at age 65), we comparison shopped for Plan G. In our state (Idaho) only issue-age rated policies are available. We selected Aetna at $115/mo because it was near the lowest price, included a household discount, is a company that we have heard of before, and according to the agent has a history of reasonably stable rates.

This year the Aetna rate is increasing from 115 to 122 (after household discount).
My agent has me looking at Aetna but their application has a few questions beyond the usual ones used for underwriting. Namely, treatments & ER visits in the last 5 years. Despite my basically robust good health, my record looks a little troublesome.

Kinda thinking applying over the phone with a different company would be safer.
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Re: My Medigap Plan G went from 115 to 251

Post by SeeMoe »

Medigap is something we take for granted because my former employer pays the fees and it is a top notch plan so it must be a high letter around a Medigap G Plan. Plus we get good discounts on prescription medications that are not generic, which I prefer. Broke my L. Femur last year playing golf and everything, to include PT , was covered with the bill coming in at $147,000.00 Dollars! Wonder what this Medigap G Plan would cost the 2 of us if we had to pay the premiums...Any suggestions?

SeeMoe.. :dollar
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Re: My Medigap Plan G went from 115 to 251

Post by celia »

SeeMoe wrote: Fri Jun 01, 2018 9:04 pm Wonder what this Medigap G Plan would cost the 2 of us if we had to pay the premiums...Any suggestions?
It depends where you live. If you live near MtnBiker, above, you each would pay $122 * 12 = $1,464. That is without a drug plan.

In my California zip, around age 70, you would each pay about $192 * 12 = $2,304 plus a drug plan.

Your state's Department of Insurance (or whatever your state calls it) may have sample rates for each carrier for each age for each zip code on its website.
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Re: My Medigap Plan G went from 115 to 251

Post by dm200 »

Yes, it is an MA plan. Thank you for clarifying. I will also add that I'm not sure those on Medigap plans would be happy having to navigate the referral process required by HMO plans (perhaps with the exception of Kaiser). I've personally had no issue with such navigation in all the years on employer HMO plans. I'm leaning towards (but not 100% percent) an MA plan, possibly Kaiser, as I have other relatives who are very pleased with it
.

We have been with several HMO type plans over the years/decades. At worst, it was just a bit annoying - but never felt we did not get the care we needed.

As you note, Kaiser (our curremt Medicare plan) - it is a zero problem. Necessary referrals are done quickly - sometimes within hours. Occasionally, some referrals need to be escalated from your PCP - but that has always worked out well. The best part with Kaiser is that, once you get the necessary referral to a specialist, you can continue to see the specialist without another referral as long as the specialist wants to see you. I have two specialists at Kaiser and only needed an initial referral to each seven years ago. The other benefit of Kaiser specialist referrals is that Kaiser immediately finds the right specialist. My wife, for example, get a referral from her PCP at a 10 am appointment and saw the specialist at 12 noon the same day. Let ma add that in many respects Kaiser Medicare is even better in practice than you might get from reading the plan documents. Email with Physicians, telephone appointments and two way smartphone video appointments are NO CHARGE. With Kaiser as well, if you do not like your PCP or like another better, you can switch at any time for any (or no) reason.

Kaiser's medicare plans vary by location. We have the standard option - which is only $30 per month (including drug coverage) - and pay $20 copay for PCP and $45 for specialist appointments. Outpatient surgery (both my wife and I had this earlier in the year) is only $250 - everything included - excpet for any (if applicable) pain meds. My wife got none and I only paid a few dollars.
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Re: My Medigap Plan G went from 115 to 251

Post by SeeMoe »

celia wrote: Fri Jun 01, 2018 11:14 pm
SeeMoe wrote: Fri Jun 01, 2018 9:04 pm Wonder what this Medigap G Plan would cost the 2 of us if we had to pay the premiums...Any suggestions?
It depends where you live. If you live near MtnBiker, above, you each would pay $122 * 12 = $1,464. That is without a drug plan.

In my California zip, around age 70, you would each pay about $192 * 12 = $2,304 plus a drug plan.

Your state's Department of Insurance (or whatever your state calls it) may have sample rates for each carrier for each age for each zip code on its website.
Thanks Celia. We could easily pay our way then if our former employer reneged on the Medigap plan for us retirees. Not that they would, but nice to know what to expect if......

SeeMoe.. :shock:
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UPDATE My Medigap Plan G went from 115 to 251

Post by montanagirl »

After I'd applied at Mutual of Omaha, and even gotten a call from their underwriter Monday, I got TWO letters from Equitable saying my premium was going up only to $119! Yet I had called for verification and the agent said the new premium amount was "off by 4 dollars" and they'd send a new letter, when what she meant that it was only going up by $4.

It looks like the "rates specialist" had added the old premium to the new to come up with $251. Sheesh. :annoyed

Meanwhile, it looks like I've gotten in into a Plan N for $25 less.

I don't know what to make of all this but didn't want it out there that Plan G premiums were going up that much...
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Re: My Medigap Plan G went from 115 to 251

Post by MtnBiker »

Thanks for following up. Maybe switching carriers is a good thing if the one you are on is that inept. Who needs the stress of such goofy rate increase announcements?
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Re: My Medigap Plan G went from 115 to 251

Post by dm200 »

SeeMoe wrote: Sat Jun 02, 2018 1:59 pm
celia wrote: Fri Jun 01, 2018 11:14 pm
SeeMoe wrote: Fri Jun 01, 2018 9:04 pm Wonder what this Medigap G Plan would cost the 2 of us if we had to pay the premiums...Any suggestions?
It depends where you live. If you live near MtnBiker, above, you each would pay $122 * 12 = $1,464. That is without a drug plan.
In my California zip, around age 70, you would each pay about $192 * 12 = $2,304 plus a drug plan.
Your state's Department of Insurance (or whatever your state calls it) may have sample rates for each carrier for each age for each zip code on its website.
Thanks Celia. We could easily pay our way then if our former employer reneged on the Medigap plan for us retirees. Not that they would, but nice to know what to expect if......
SeeMoe.. :shock:
Does not apply to me, but one trend I am seeing is that, for retirees whose employers provide assistance to them into Medicare eligibility, is requiring enrollment in a specific Medicare Advantage program.
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