I just got a call about enrolling in the Medicare G plan. Is this a scam?

[bif]

[mbusby]

1. Link

https://www.medicare.gov/supplements-other-insurance/how-to-compare-medigap-policies

[Quemado]

2. I don't believe it's a scam.

According to Forbes.com, a Medicare G plan is a Medigap policy: https://www.forbes.com/sites/dianeomdahl/2019/01/24/medigap-plan-f-or-plan-g/#70bcf56c3cc3

[mobeau69]

3. Don't know who called you but G is the latest flavor.

[llmart]

4. I have a Medicare Supplement Plan G.

It's the cadillac of plans and I'm glad I have it.

Are you of Medicare age? It's not even open enrollment now, so odd you'd be getting a call unless you're new to Medicare.

[bif]

5. I'll be 65 in October

[llmart]

6. Well, that's probably why you're getting calls.

Plus, October's the beginning of the open enrollment.

There is or rather was a Plan F which was only slightly better than Plan G, but I believe they are phasing that plan out, so it's probably no longer available. The only difference between Plan F and Plan G was Plan F had a zero deductible and Plan G has a $185 per year deductible. I figured I could afford the $185 a year. I am really glad I went with the best supplement plan because, even though I'm very healthy for a 70-year old, I now have wet macular degeneration in my left eye and the monthly injections are $2300 per injection, plus the cost of the doctor's visit. It is completely covered (100%) by Medicare plus my supplement. I have no idea how anyone could afford that.

[csziggy]

9. Yes, both Plan F & G are cadillac plans

I'm on Plan F, my husband on Plan G. We signed up two years after I'd had my knees replaced under my husband's employer supplied health insurance - and were still paying off the co-pay from that and my husband's foot surgery when he retired.

Since then I've had an aortic valve replaced, a kidney removed, and just a few weeks ago spinal fusion surgery. It is wonderful not having to worry about paying the copay or having to worry about delays in getting approval for tests and procedures.

In fact, when I was getting my heart problem diagnosed, BC/BS delayed the prescribed MRI for months (it was recommended in January). Finally, in mid-June when I knew I was going on Medicare with my Plan F policy July 1, I called and scheduled the procedure for early July. I received the BC/BS approval letter for the MRI July 10 AFTER I was no longer on their policy and had already had the scan.

After that, any procedure or test the doctors recommended was done immediately with no delay, no denials, no crap from the insurance company. That's good since I have to be checked yearly for my aortic valve replacement and every six months for the possibility of recurrence of my kidney cancer.

[vsrazdem]

7. They should explain to you they are phasing out the F plan, which is the best plan, BUT

that means after next year no one will be enrollling in that plan, which means the rates for this plan will go up because they will not be getting any new members to spread the cost out. Better off to go with the small deductible, as the premiums will most likely stay lower. I just got my Medicare in September so did all the research ahead of time.

[llmart]

10. I actually explained that to a very close friend of mine.

She's a very educated person and knows me very well and after I explained how Plan F would eventually get more and more expensive, she went with the Plan G. Only those who are already in a Plan F will be allowed to keep it, so yes, like you said the pool of people in Plan F will get smaller and smaller.

There is really no difference in the two plans except for the small deductible in Plan G.

[vsrazdem]

8. PS, you will get bombarded with phone calls and mail, so get ready.

[bif]

11. I already get 5 or 6 calls a day

From "Unknown Number". I made the mistake of answering one this afternoon.

[vsrazdem]

12. Yes, I started getting mine in September. I decided to take my social security payments starting in

January at age 65(which you really don't start getting until February) as you can still keep working and make up to 37,000 yearly in the year in which you are set to retire (which for me is 66). I took a small cut in benefits (about $125 a month), but it was worth it for me to start getting that extra to pay down bills. That way maybe I won't have to keep working 2 jobs. The only pain in the butt was having to pay in the Medicare payments. You have to pay 3 months worth at a time, but they don't stop your insurance unless you don't pay after the 3 months is up, so that wasn't too bad.