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Supplemental For Medicare

A MyMyelomaTeam Member asked a question 💭
Shenandoah, VA

Need some info for best supplemental insurance for Medicare. I'll be 65 in August so its that time to become covered on my own. Currently Medicare is my supplemental for my husbands insurance, but he will be retiring soon so I have to make my move during my open enrollment.
I'd appreciate suggestions/experiences with finding the right supplemental to help with paying for all of what we go through.

May 13, 2023
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A MyMyelomaTeam Member

Jane; there may not be medical questions during enrollment because insurance companies get information on their own....I found out. They have a data base to check.
I had to retire early, because of an accident, so I lost my insurance; which wouldn't have covered everything that cancer costs anyway. I was put on Medicaid ( eligible because of my income ). My case would be different because I was not married. Medicaid/Humana take over when I need treatment or prescriptions. I pay very little out of pocket and for Rev., I pay nothing. I realize your situation is different but maybe it will help others.
Also SSI consider MM/cancer, as a special exception and most likely an applicant will be approved ; again just information I've learned about. I don't have SSI

May 13, 2023 (edited)
A MyMyelomaTeam Member

Hi Pat, Thanks for your info. Yes I am starting my window for open enrollment and I'm in Virginia. Basically I'm wanting to know how things are covered for treatments. I won't be having any SCT, decided since its not a cure and most end up on treatment drugs afterwards anyway that I might as well try for quality of life instead of quantity. I do understand that during this time of enrollment the providers are not allowed to ask about our health issues, so that is a plus. I have no wants of the Advantage Plans, done heard enough about those. I'm mainly looking for what a good supplemental plan would be.
...and thanks again! 😊

May 13, 2023 (edited)
A MyMyelomaTeam Member

I do not know which state you live in. It makes a difference. In most state you only have a 6 months window to get supplemental insurance to pay the 20% that Medicare doesn't pay without underwriting. These plans are called Medigap and they are standardized with how much they pay for various categories. Generally, same letter, G plans, will pay the same rate. If you have MM, be cery cautious about MC Advantage plans. My husband was diagnosed while insured by one. When it came time for stem cell harvesting, it was covered but they had no providers. We spent months trying to get authorization and failed. We switched to traditional MC, but could not get supplemental insurance because of underwriting and MM. I use Aetna for my F plan and they pay everything left after MC (unless it isn't covered by MC)

May 13, 2023

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