Medicare Advantage Premiums to Decrease in 2020

[Sherman A1]

Monthly premiums for Medicare Advantage (MA) plans are expected to drop by an average of $3.87 to an estimated $23 in 2020 — a 14 percent decrease, the Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services (CMS) announced on Tuesday. About one-third of Medicare's 60 million beneficiaries belong to these private insurance plans.

Open enrollment for all Medicare enrollees begins Oct. 15 and ends Dec. 7.

Medicare Advantage, also known as Medicare Part C, is a private insurance alternative to original Medicare. These plans include Medicare Part A, which covers hospital care, hospice, and some nursing home and rehabilitative services, and Part B, which helps pay for doctor visits and other outpatient services, including lab tests, scans and other diagnostic services. Most MA plans also include prescription drug coverage.

The premiums announced Tuesday represent a nationwide average. Actual monthly charges for MA plans will vary depending on what the plan covers and where beneficiaries live. CMS announced this year that premiums for Part D prescription drug coverage were also trending down by about 13.5 percent to a projected $30 a month. CMS has not yet set the premiums for Part B or the deductibles for parts A and B.

https://www.aarp.org/health/medicare-insurance/info-2019/medicare-advantage-premiums-decline.html?

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

1. Well that's interesting.

Could be a model for health care for more people, yes?

[WheelWalker]

2. I've got MA and it's been a good choice for me I think.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

7. I likewise am on Medicare

and have an Advantage Plan.

Although I'm astonishingly healthy and essentially never bother with doctors. The little I've used I've been very pleased.

[WheelWalker]

9. I, too, am astonishingly healthy given my age, that I had a coronary 16 yrs ago, and have used pot

daily since 1968. I especially appreciate the prescription drug coverage under my MA plan.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

11. I often say I have the Republican health care plan.

I don't get sick.

In my case, I really don't get sick, unlike so many others that can't afford a doctor or a medicine or a treatment.

[Sherman A1]

3. Just went into Medicare and Supplement program this year

so far so good. It does take some getting used to as I need referrals from the GP for about everything I do which I didn't before with my Union Health Plan, but I am getting the Silver Sneakers program and some OTC meds each quarter for free, my Rx's are less and I have no premium beyond what Medicare charges me anyway. So I'm okay with it at this point.

[asiliveandbreathe]

4. This is great info...made me read my annual notice of changes..2020

BC/BS of AZ Advantage (HMO)-Maricopa County and parts of Pinal County..

Monthly - $39..no change
Max Out of pocket - increase to $4250 - from 3200...yikes...

[Turbineguy]

5. Our premiums are decreasing

from $167 to $190.

The AARP (American Association of Rinkled People) must have taken math lessons at Trump U.

[Sherman A1]

6. My coverage price stayed the same

which is what Medicare charges me each month and my coverage improved in several areas. Perhaps it is time for you to shop around?

[Turbineguy]

10. An excellent suggestion!

Last edited Wed Oct 2, 2019, 07:25 PM - Edit history (1)

I created an account at medicare.gov and qualify for 33 supplemental plans. I am in the second most expensive plan. I like what's covered and it's worldwide coverage. It will take some time to compare plans. I stayed with the same provider I had when I had private insurance and so nothing changed as far as Doctors went but coverage improved when I transitioned to Medicare.

It's strange that the 80% coverage portion costs $135 per month and the 20% coverage portion costs $167.

Update: So I called Premera and they have exactly the same plan as I have now for $55 per month or a total savings of $3490 per year. They said "The benefits are the same, the pricing is different!"

[sinkingfeeling]

8. I've paid $0 month for my Coventry Advantage plan for

the last 4 years. They've been sucked up by Aetna. Still $0 a month. PCP charge of $5 and specialist visits went up to $50. Have $0 deductibles.

[Sherman A1]

12. Had Coventry when I was working and it seemed to be pretty good

Now on Medicare I have switched to Essence and not bad now, getting better next year it seems from the recent updated book I’ve received.