I've had FEHB MHBP Standard along with Medicare A and B for about seven months. During that time I've had four appointments with doctors, some bloodwork, and have received medical equipment. I paid nothing out of pocket. I've had some copays for prescription meds, but they have been reasonable.
In November of 2023 I posted the following.
I'm thinking of switching from the FEHB MHBP Standard to MHBP Standard with Aetna Medicare Advantage. I'm leaning heavily in the direction of making the switch.
I've been using Consumers' Checkbook (CC) to help me make my decision. The following is true (according to CC) for a couple like us (self plus one) with high medical usage, one on Medicare A and B and the MHBP Standard with Aetna Medicare Advantage Plan; and the other, my wife, on MHBP Standard. These are the aspects of it that are making it tough not to switch.
- The estimated yearly cost for the MHBP Advantage Plan is $3045 less. That's $253.75 per month less. I think this includes the $900 annual reimbursement to help pay for Medicare B. (We aren't subject to IRRMA by the way.)
- The MHBP Advantage Plan is ranked 3rd based on estimated yearly costs, and the number two ranked GEHA Advantage has a much higher maximum annual cost. The number one ranked fund is Aetna Advantage, but not sure I could sign up for this one since my wife isn't on Medicare yet. Also, I've had a pretty good experience with MHBP so far, and don't know if I have the time or inclination to evaluate additional plans right now. The MHBP Standard Plan without Aetna Medicare Advantage is ranked 12th based on estimated yearly cost.
- The most we could pay in a year with the MHBP Advantage Plan is $10020. With MHBP Standard, it would be $18920.
- The MHBP Advantage Plan has better prescription benefits, and all my prescriptions are covered.
- The skilled nursing facility days coverage is better with the MHBP Advantage Plan. It pays a substantial amount for 100 skilled nursing facility days. MHBP Standard doesn't have any coverage for someone like me on Med A and B. My wife would get 40 days of coverage since she isn't on Medicare yet.
- It appears that almost all our providers accept it. I'm not sure about one. Also, it has an extended, nationwide network.
- The MHBP Advantage plan has some perks that might come in handy such as transportation to and from appointments and meals delivered to my residence while I'm recuperating from a medical procedure.
A MHBP Standard Aetna Medicare Advantage Plan rep told me that I could switch into or out of the Advantage Plan outside of open season. I could just go back to MHBP Standard If I decide I don't like the Advantage Plan. I don't know how long the switch would take, but I got the impression that it would be pretty quick. Maybe starting the first of the following month.
Added: I noticed on the CC website that all of the Advantage Plans are not rated (NR). It says this is because there isn't enough data. Subsequent to noticing this, I attended a CC webinar that talked about the new Advantage Plans. I was particularly interested in reviews and ratings of the plans based on input from people that actually had them. The speaker said they had some reviews, but that it was difficult to make inferences from the review data and apply it to their rating system for some reason. I got the impression it was more than just lack of enough reviews. Following the webinar, I sent the speaker an email asking what he had been hearing from people that actually had the MHBP Advantage Plan. In response he sent me ratings on various aspects of the Plan based on reviews. They didn't look bad. On a scale of 1 thru 5. All the aspects were rated either 5, 4, or 3. He again said it was difficult to come up with those ratings for the Advantage Plans, so they may be flawed.
In November of 2023 I posted the following.
I'm thinking of switching from the FEHB MHBP Standard to MHBP Standard with Aetna Medicare Advantage. I'm leaning heavily in the direction of making the switch.
I've been using Consumers' Checkbook (CC) to help me make my decision. The following is true (according to CC) for a couple like us (self plus one) with high medical usage, one on Medicare A and B and the MHBP Standard with Aetna Medicare Advantage Plan; and the other, my wife, on MHBP Standard. These are the aspects of it that are making it tough not to switch.
- The estimated yearly cost for the MHBP Advantage Plan is $3045 less. That's $253.75 per month less. I think this includes the $900 annual reimbursement to help pay for Medicare B. (We aren't subject to IRRMA by the way.)
- The MHBP Advantage Plan is ranked 3rd based on estimated yearly costs, and the number two ranked GEHA Advantage has a much higher maximum annual cost. The number one ranked fund is Aetna Advantage, but not sure I could sign up for this one since my wife isn't on Medicare yet. Also, I've had a pretty good experience with MHBP so far, and don't know if I have the time or inclination to evaluate additional plans right now. The MHBP Standard Plan without Aetna Medicare Advantage is ranked 12th based on estimated yearly cost.
- The most we could pay in a year with the MHBP Advantage Plan is $10020. With MHBP Standard, it would be $18920.
- The MHBP Advantage Plan has better prescription benefits, and all my prescriptions are covered.
- The skilled nursing facility days coverage is better with the MHBP Advantage Plan. It pays a substantial amount for 100 skilled nursing facility days. MHBP Standard doesn't have any coverage for someone like me on Med A and B. My wife would get 40 days of coverage since she isn't on Medicare yet.
- It appears that almost all our providers accept it. I'm not sure about one. Also, it has an extended, nationwide network.
- The MHBP Advantage plan has some perks that might come in handy such as transportation to and from appointments and meals delivered to my residence while I'm recuperating from a medical procedure.
A MHBP Standard Aetna Medicare Advantage Plan rep told me that I could switch into or out of the Advantage Plan outside of open season. I could just go back to MHBP Standard If I decide I don't like the Advantage Plan. I don't know how long the switch would take, but I got the impression that it would be pretty quick. Maybe starting the first of the following month.
Added: I noticed on the CC website that all of the Advantage Plans are not rated (NR). It says this is because there isn't enough data. Subsequent to noticing this, I attended a CC webinar that talked about the new Advantage Plans. I was particularly interested in reviews and ratings of the plans based on input from people that actually had them. The speaker said they had some reviews, but that it was difficult to make inferences from the review data and apply it to their rating system for some reason. I got the impression it was more than just lack of enough reviews. Following the webinar, I sent the speaker an email asking what he had been hearing from people that actually had the MHBP Advantage Plan. In response he sent me ratings on various aspects of the Plan based on reviews. They didn't look bad. On a scale of 1 thru 5. All the aspects were rated either 5, 4, or 3. He again said it was difficult to come up with those ratings for the Advantage Plans, so they may be flawed.
Statistics: Posted by OpenMinded1 — Sat May 04, 2024 8:15 am — Replies 40 — Views 3028