Social Security & Medicare

Fil1957

(322 posts)

36. If you can afford it, always get real Medicare. If you MUST get Advantage due to financial reasons, make sure you

Wed Oct 29, 2025, 10:54 AM

Oct 29

do lots of research and get the best plan you can.

My 95 year old mother has Kaiser Medicare Advantage, and since she's always lived and will always live in their area of coverage as well as being on Medicaid, it's been terrific for her.

Kaiser is one of the few good ones, and she's one of the few Advantage success stories I've heard of.

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Auggie CoopersDad Joinfortmill

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Highlight:

Switching from Advantage Plan (which left my area, creating a qualifying event) to Original Medicare. Here's Why [View all] Joinfortmill Oct 29 OP

I switched from an advantage to regular Medicare about 10 years ago Walleye Oct 29 #1

Thom Hartmann predicted a year ago gab13by13 Oct 29 #7

But still, 53% of beneficaries choose Medicare Advantage because they believe it is more affordable for them. Silent Type Oct 29 #10

"... they believe it is more affordable." Grins Oct 29 #32

Like I said, you get a choice. If Medicare is better for you, take it. If MA is better, take it. But don't try to take Silent Type Oct 29 #34

I would be doing tradtional Medicare + a plan to cover my meds, but I chose Medicare Advantage for dental and vision iluvtennis Oct 29 #33

Exactly, it's a choice. MA is definitely better for some people, others not. Silent Type Oct 29 #35

My daughter is an RN case manager for home care Freddie Oct 29 #27

Not exactly true. Traditional Medicare has very detailed coverage rules that prevent some questionable claims. Silent Type Oct 29 #39

Will do. Joinfortmill Oct 29 #11

Good for you. Luckily, I learned about Medicare Supplement and ignored the "advantage" propaganda. we can do it Oct 29 #2

Are there restrictions on switching from Adv. to Medicare? nt Ilsa Oct 29 #3

Yes IbogaProject Oct 29 #5

Thank you very much. nt Ilsa Oct 29 #20

The issue is getting a Medigap supplement Abnredleg Oct 29 #6

Thank you very much. nt Ilsa Oct 29 #18

Yes, some, unless there is a s qualifying event. Joinfortmill Oct 29 #13

Thank you very much. nt Ilsa Oct 29 #16

Original Medicare? Sanity Claws Oct 29 #4

Advantage Plans include Parts A and B Abnredleg Oct 29 #8

Plain Medicare certainly covers doctors visits. gab13by13 Oct 29 #9

Medicare covers part A & B. Joinfortmill Oct 29 #14

Medicare Part A (hospital, etc.) deRien Oct 29 #24

Original Medicare is both Part A and Part B Bob_in_VA Oct 29 #31

OP--there's a lot of misinformation in this thread. marybourg Oct 29 #12

Everyrhing I posted is absolutely true to my experience Joinfortmill Oct 29 #15

I wasn't referring to your information. marybourg Oct 29 #21

SHIP? Sanity Claws Oct 29 #17

This: marybourg Oct 29 #22

Thanks Sanity Claws Oct 29 #26

Be aware, Supplemental Plans will only cover you once without a full medical history. lark Oct 29 #19

It's complicated, for sure. Joinfortmill Oct 29 #23

My plan was not being offered in 2026 so I was able to switch EverHopeful Oct 29 #25

Last year a friend who had Medicare Advantage was informed that her insurer was no longer doing business in her area. Lonestarblue Oct 29 #28

Summation: the Advantage Plan that sounds so good today can bite you in the ass tomorrow Auggie Oct 29 #29

Good advice. Joinfortmill Oct 29 #30

If you can afford it, always get real Medicare. If you MUST get Advantage due to financial reasons, make sure you Fil1957 Oct 29 #36

Your health history might prevent you getting a Medigap plan** NGeorgian Oct 29 #37

Medicare Supplemental plans can be very expensive. Sogo Oct 29 #38