Edward Rogers

Comments:

• Full disclosure here, ten years as a Medicare beneficiary, now in my sixth year in rewirement/refirement as an independent agent working in the Medicare space in the San Antonio area. Wife and I have had Medicare Advantage plans since reaching eligibility, and have had surgeries for hip, heart, rotator cuff, knee replacement, wrist, most requiring hospitalization, and oh, yes, a blood infection,too. Over that decade we've had no MAPD plan premiums, since all local plans for all of carriers are $0 monthly premium plans. The most expensive out-of pocket cost of these procedures was a $2,500 bill for open heart surgery to repair a faulty mitral valve prolapse. I'd say a pretty good deal frankly for five day hospital stay, including all inherent expenses of such surgery. All other calamities have been less expensive than that. Over those years we've avoided thousands of dollars of monthly premiums and annual monthly premium increases brought on by increased utilizations through COVID, and general medical care inflation. We could not have made better choices and with money saved and invested, have come out far to the good financially, with excellent healthcare outcomes, from doctors we have chosen. Nationally, last year 53% of Medicare beneficiaries chose Medicare Advantage, up from 25% over the last two decades. Something's going right with Medicare Advantage, and privatizing healthcare. Over 90% of my clients have chosen Medicare Advantage, I think primarily because they are familiar with group plans, where now, government(Original Medicare) pays part of their expenses, and patients pay remainder. When you share maximum out-of-pocket costs of a hospital stay in a MAPD, with total expenses for premiums for a Medigap/Supplement Plan, in worst-case scenarios, it's been a comfortable decision for most. Oh, and Just One More Thing....my clients make their plan decisions, not me, except in our personal case.

  Post: Which is better, traditional Medicare or Medicare Advantage?

  Link to comment from May 25, 2024

• I spent five years after turning 65, and being in a Medicare Advantage Plan, learning about a "part-time" Medicare Plan business that I was to start at 70, when I retired. What I found was that understanding distinctions between a PPO and an HMO are critical for newly Medicare Eligible. You need to find an agent who starts each appointment with a Medicare 101 discussion which clarifies all nuances of Med Supp vs Medicare Advantage decision-including the HMO/PPO differences. If you do work with an independent agent who is focused upon your making a right plan/carrier/HMO/PPO/Med Supp decision, they will answer all of your questions before you make a decision. I'm three years into this incredibly satisfying business, and every client meeting I leave is one laced up with a smile from my new client. I enjoy a business where what I sell doesn't cost them anything, yet provides them security of knowing they've made their right decision. Find an independent agent who isn't a "carrier captive" agent, and who specializes in Medicare Advantage Plans.....they are thoroughly trained and licensed by each carrier they are contracted with. Oh, and Just One More Thing....I'm a total failure at retirement, and I'm loving every minute of it in my Medicare space.

  Post: Medicare and Me

  Link to comment from November 6, 2021