Veterans using the VA. Pros and Cons of a Medsup v MA

:D

Perspective!

I get in trouble when I mention names, so I won't, but I can think of an agent mentioned in posts who sounds very successful with Medicare but won't touch life insurance.
 
Last edited:

""If you decide to enroll in Part B, you should do so during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). Enrolling in Part B provides you with the flexibility of getting health care outside the VA system.""

OK, so a Veteran can sign up and pay for Medicare part B at age 65. As 'insurance' against having VA only. In California does he or she have to buy a Medsup at the same time or lose the non underwriting opportunity?
 
BTW, I am not going to be offering my very limited Medicare knowledge to anyone.
I will be reaching out to some of you and others I know for more information. I just want an understanding so I don't sound like a complete *** when I speak to them.
 
BTW, I am not going to be offering my very limited Medicare knowledge to anyone.
I will be reaching out to some of you and others I know for more information. I just want an understanding so I don't sound like a complete *** when I speak to them.
Just be sure to reach out to someone who is familiar with the market you live/working in.
Otherwise, the advice may not be relevant. It could be like asking a Barbecue Pit Master for advice on a vegan salad
 
Life insurance is So much easier.

Of course. Only one claim. Sometimes never a claim. Anyone can sell something where no one complains about the claim not being paid.

""If you decide to enroll in Part B, you should do so during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). Enrolling in Part B provides you with the flexibility of getting health care outside the VA system.""

OK, so a Veteran can sign up and pay for Medicare part B at age 65. As 'insurance' against having VA only. In California does he or she have to buy a Medsup at the same time or lose the non underwriting opportunity?

Buying Part B only get's you access to outpatient coverage . . . with no cap on your OOP expenses.

Can't answer your CA question. So many things are done differently there. Heck, if you are in the country illegally and are arrested for a crime they set you free before ICE comes to haul your butt away. So it's possible you can buy a Medigap at any time.

But in most of the other 56 states you should buy during your IEP (initial enrollment period).

There are a few situations where you can qualify for a GI plan outside of IEP but no reason clouding the water any more.

BTW, I am not going to be offering my very limited Medicare knowledge to anyone.
I will be reaching out to some of you and others I know for more information. I just want an understanding so I don't sound like a complete *** when I speak to them.

That doesn't stop some folks from speaking, or posting. Why should it hold you back?
 
MA is a mangled care plan with networks, pre-authorizations, and claim denials. Insurance carrier decides which claims to accept and which to deny. Claim denials = increased profit.

Column: U.S. probe shines light on Medicare Advantage claims denials

Medicare has no networks, no pre-authorization (except for DME) and no profit motive. Medigap plans pay AFTER Medicare has adjudicated and approved the claim.

I hope your E&O provider doesn't see your post, because if you are telling customers that "Medicare has no networks" you putting yourself at risk for a lawsuit.
From the Official Medicare Website: You have your choice of doctors, hospitals, and other providers that accept Medicare.
There are plenty of providers that do not accept Original Medicare.
The proper way, to explain it, as I, a professional, explain it to my customers is: "you can go to any doctor, hospital or other provider that accepts medicare."

Also on a side note, pre-authorization for Tradional Medicare is coming. The groundwork was laid out about 6-7 years ago (A bi-partisan thing btw). I posted about this in another thread a while back. We should start seeing the effects of the format start taking place next year. The pilot programs launch January 2020. The end of Original/Tradition Medicare as we know it is near.

I have said it several times on this forum, and I will say it again here - Medicare Advantage is the future of Medicare. Like it or not, it is what it is.

Those who keep fighting it, will increasingly find themselves frustrated, and eventually unprofitable. Y'all medsupp only people, might as well quit the business now, while you are ahead of the game.

Don't fight the market, you will lost every time.
 
I'm not sure how many VA clients I have but I'm pretty sure 90% of them chose a MAPD plan. A lot of them contemplated not taking part b until I put them in a part b refund plan.

Convincing someone who is happy with their current VA setup, that they need to now pay an extra $144.60 plus a $180 Med supp every month isn't something they will enjoy.
 
Back
Top