We recommend that you enroll in traditional Medicare plus a Medicare Supplement plan rather than a Medicare Advantage insurance plan. Here’s why—
You are making a decision that will impact ALL of your retirement years, which could number more than 30 (just think about it—that’s a long time!).
You have one chance to enroll in a Medicare Supplement insurance plan on a guaranteed issue basis, and that’s within 6 months of enrolling in part B. After that, you would have to provide proof of good health.
Medicare Advantage insurance plans, meanwhile, can change their contracts, including benefits, premiums, and providers, every single year. What looks good now may not look good in 3 to 5 years, much less 30 years. You can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan at any time regardless of your health. Typically, you enroll in a MA plan in the fall to be effective in January, and then you are “locked-in” (with some opportunity to change) for a whole year. With Medicare and a Medicare Supplement, you have virtually 100% coverage, no deductibles, and no copays. With a Medicare Advantage plan, their only requirement is that they have to provide benefits at least as good as original Medicare (without the supplement). They usually entice you to enroll by offering low or no premiums, plus some additional benefits, such as basic dental or vision. What they offer is not close to what they take away—which is your ability to see ANY DOCTOR ANY TIME ANYWHERE and get 100% coverage as long as s/he is a Medicare provider and as long as it is a Medicare-covered service.
Need a kidney transplant? Or some experimental cancer treatment? Wouldn’t it be nice to go wherever you want and not to have to ask permission from your health plan?