Medicare insurance: should husband and wife select same coverage?

[jesseslome]

I am writing the next in a series of consumer-focused articles and would appreciate insights from agents selling both MA and Medigap.

I know choosing the same Medigap plan carrier can save the couple money. GOOD

But are there reasons NOT to choose the same plan that you can shed some light on (examples). For example, reasons why one might be better off with an MA plan ... spouse with Medigap.

Many thanks (as always).
Jesse Slome
American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance
mailto:jslome@medicaresupp.org

 

[somarco]

But are there reasons NOT to choose the same plan that you can shed some light on (examples). For example, reasons why one might be better off with an MA plan ... spouse with Medigap.

Conventional wisdom on this forum is, the healthy spouse rents an MAPD while the sick one buys a Medigap plan.

That seems to work until the healthy spouse is no longer healthy and seeks to buy a Medigap plan.

 

[LostDollar]

Caveat, not an agent.

Maybe so, Maybe not.

Medicare parts A, B, C and D are individual coverage.

Insurance companies attempt to obscure this point to their (the ins. co's) financial advantage by making marital status a decision criterion. Financial liability issues also obscure that point.

Each Medicare Beneficiary should make their own Parts B and D or Parts C and D decision.

 

[LostDollar]

And the assumption that a couple both having Medigap plans or both having Medicare Advantage plans will have the same plan may not be a valid assumption.

One spouse may have a more normal MAPD and the other an MSA. or one spouse may have a more normal Medigap plan and the other a Medicare Select plan.

Whatever.

It is individual coverage. Some couples won't care. Others are going to be like insurance agents and have rather strong opinions as to what they want. The opinions may be different.

 

[mickeyma]

I'll second Somarco.

If you're healthy and live in a heavily-populated area like Los Angeles, a Medicare Advantage plan will save you thousands of dollars in premium. And, they offer a wide choice of specialists and hospitals to treat your major illness.

These plans have $0 monthly premium and $0 copays for almost all major medical and hospital claims.

The big complaint against them involves cancer. Most Medicare Advantage plans do NOT cover chemotherapy or radiation. But, they contain a MOOP (Maximum Out of Pocket) which is less than $1,000 a year in Southern California. So, I get cancer and need chemo. I pay $1,000 out of my pocket and the insurance covers the rest Meanwhile, I save almost $2,000 in premiums EACH year on the Medicare Supplement and Part D prescription drug plan. Do the math!

The Medicare Supplement plan is a must for people with major illnesses and those who are living in remote areas (like the ones in Northern California). There are few medical specialists in those areas and they must travel far distances to see a qualified specialist. I have clients who are traveling 200 miles from their town to San Francisco or Sacramento to see heart specialists, kidney specialist, etc. Do a search on Medicare.gov for Medicare Advantage plans in remote areas

Humboldt, CA: zip 95501
Find a Medicare plan

My wife and I both have a Medicare Advantage plan because we are confident that there are numerous highly-respected specialists in the Los Angeles area to treat any major illness. And, we save @ $4,000 EACH year in premiums vs a Medicare Supplement plan.

 

[policywunk]

I am writing the next in a series of consumer-focused articles and would appreciate insights from agents selling both MA and Medigap.

I know choosing the same Medigap plan carrier can save the couple money. GOOD

But are there reasons NOT to choose the same plan that you can shed some light on (examples). For example, reasons why one might be better off with an MA plan ... spouse with Medigap.

Many thanks (as always).
Jesse Slome
American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance
mailto:jslome@medicaresupp.org

Here is a twist to your question.Usually it is more practical for a couple to use the same agent whether they have medigap or ma.Choosing the right agent first is most important.I advise prospects to not hire an agent who already has his mind made made up to what is the plan for you .As a fully certified medicare health plan agent most couples I see will choose the same type of plan with same carriers however there are times because of network limitations or expected high utilization one spouse may choose a medigap and the other ma.