New enrollments in F and F-HD are still allowed but only for folks (like me) who turned 65 before Jan 1, 2020 (or who qualified for Medicare via disability prior to that date.).I don't think new enrollments in F are allowed.I consulted my USAA insurance agent last week regarding possibly considering changing from our Medicare Advantage PPO plan to a Medigap policy. The agent responded that the underwriting "yes-or-no" question is "Have you received treatment for a medical issue such as cancer within the last three years?" Both my wife and I can answer "Negative" to this question and therefore would be eligible to switch from our MA PPO to Medigap. At age 79, it's something to think about. We've saved a lot of money with our zero premium MA plans, the ability to see any provider and this year up to $2,900 reimbursement for seeing any dentist, not to mention OTC product reimbursement of $75 per quarter and $800 per year for athletic equipment, even an Apple watch for monitoring our health. I've saved/banked enough for the last 15 years or so that I can certainly afford some surprise cash outlays.
But as someone else pointed out, the MA providers may tighten the wallets in the future so I want to be prepared to switch to a Medigap plan for the upcoming annual enrollment season or at some point in the future. My USAA agent agrees that the Plan F is a popular Medigap plan. But from the beginning, she has never recommended on plan (MA vs. Medigap); she has always just presented the facts for comparison and let me make my decision.
"You buys your ticket and you takes your chance."
https://www.forbes.com/health/medicare/medicare-plan-f/
So those F and F-HD option is off the table for younger cohorts just now becoming eligible for Medicare. Not off the table for most older folks considering switching coverage, though of course not everyone can easily switch, depending on state and/or underwriting status.
Statistics: Posted by dodecahedron — Tue Jul 09, 2024 10:19 am — Replies 164 — Views 9893