I like traditional medicare and medigap. After my initial $300 deductible, I can see any doctor and never have to worry about paying a bill. If I have something that bothers me, I never have to think if its worth seeing a doctor, I just go.
@@ppumpkin3282 same same. i call and make specialist appointements anytime i want. they address my issues. no fuss no muss. no bill. medgap supplement all the way baby.
Best thing I ever did! Yes, it cost money every month. Bout at 72, I ended up in two hospitals ICU’s.costing a fortune. Then I was moved to Hospital #2, where I had a surgery that was $100,000. My medigap paid for everything!!!!! Oh my gosh! Can you imagine how much it would have been on an advantage plan!!
Mine would have cost $2700 total. That is my annual out-of-pocket maximum. No premiums. How much were your premiums? Unless you have a major surgery every year, my plan is much cheaper. And they do pay!
An Advantage Plan could have cost you your life. Seniors die every day because of sub par standards and outdated care with Advantage. Delays caused by denials and limited specialists with long waits also kill seniors. My sister in law dropped her medigap coverage after her husband passed. She couldn't afford it any longer. That one decision contributed greatly to her premature death. She suffered a stroke and her Advantage plan denied her an acute rehab and would only pay for regular rehab. Her doctors and the regular rehab both went on the record that she needed acute care vs regular. Sadly, after the family filed a challenge to the denial she choked on her own vomit and became brain dead. She spent months in a coma and finally passed. Her Advantage bill for the coma care was over 500 thousand. We as taxpayers were responsible for the insurance carriers greed. Administrator at the rehab told the family it happens multiple times every day in America.
@katherinepll Read the fineprint. The out of pocket maximum with most Advantage Plans is for "in network covered services". If you have no choice and have to go out of network for care or your specialist orders services that aren't covered your liable for those costs or worse the facilities won't perform the services. Many healthcare facilities would work with patients but more and more are treating with outdated protocols not even offering the standard treatments since the Advantage Plans don't cover. It's the main reason why many health care groups no longer accept Advantage patients. The subpar care my sister in law recieved from her Advantage Dr's led to her early death. The Advanyage Plans are by far the biggest fraud dumped on our senior citizens.
Fortunately I made the right decision when I signed up for Medicare and a Supplement 10 years ago. It may have been luck since I didn't have a clue what I was doing...! Wish I'd had a video like yours to explain things so comprehensively....because it was beyond confusing to me. You're helping a lot of people to navigate a very difficult time!!
At the time I was preparing to retire at age 66, I became ill with covid. I was still covered by my employer insurance. When I returned to work after covid, I became I'll again. Due to being off so long my insurance lapsed. I officially retired and signed up for SSI and Medicare plan B. I had signed up for plan A as soon as it was available at age 65. The second illness was kidney cancer that was discovered while I was in my open enrollment period. I quickly selected a Supplemental plan, and was I ever happy! It covered everything including an additional year of follow up immunotherapy with Katruda. I saved thousands of dollars every 90 days of follow up therapy! My Supplemental plan cost me about $95 a month! So don't gamble with your health or finances!
It's a gamble either way. Best advice I could get said that if you have a history of good health and are healthy today, the Advantage plan is probably a good bet. Again, they also have a maximum out of pocket so exposure is still limited. If you have questionable health and deal with health issues multiple times a year, the supplemental is the way to go.
Your videos are ALWAYS great & informative! You've helped me in the past get over several hurdles as I turned 65. Thanks for doing what you do! Happy Valentine's day!
Medicare (original) pays 80% of the Dr bill, but does the testing get all paid , and not part of the 80%? TY for all the good information you post for people !!
I have Plan F and in 7 years ( two in-patient surgeries, 2 colonoscopies, 2 outpatient surgeries, 4 MRIs, and assorted office visits) I've spent more on the premiums that the 20% of Medicare it has covered. I am overjoyed to be healthy enough to say that. I can afford Plan F and it just bakes my healthcare into my costs like property taxes and the electric bill.
Thanks for your reply; I was wondering about the cost/benefit of medigap premiums -vs- 20% of medicare part B fees. I think it gets lost in the discussion that its 20% of the medicare negotiated rate that is payable, not 20% of the doctor's normal, non-medicare rate. Thanks for providing clarity on this issue!
Why all the discussion about in or out of network? I have a supplemental G plan and there are no networks. Why would I want some bureaucrat to limit my healthcare options???
So now that you were specific about Part A and B and potential expenses with those do the Medigap plans then step in and cover those expenses? Say like a Medigap G plan?
I have an Advantage plan that is $167/month. I could have chosen one of the same company's cheaper plans or even $0 plans, But the coverage I am getting is extremely comprehensive, Similar to my large employer based plan was but even better. For me this total piece of mind is well worth it. It is available through my very large former employer and the process is very simple. The perks of working for a very large employer I wish were available to everyone.
I'm a nursing home administrator. Medicare advantage is not good in the nursing home. The insurance company will deny benefits after about 14 days. If your not done with therapy, or you can't walk, hell, if you can't get out of bed, you are going home. They won't pay.
An Advantage Plan Part C is typically a strong local network, but poor outside the network and area. And there is increasing complaints about insurers denying specialty coverage or treatment that should be covered.
My wife is on the group plan for retirees with Medicare which mimics my retiree plan without Medicare. We met with an advisor and yes the original plan with a part D may have been cheaper we decided to stay on our large group retiree plan. As we were leaving the advisor did say a group plan is a great way to go.
Several years ago I had to have a quadruple bypass surgery the total bill was $130,000.I was in the hospital for 13 days.If I only had Medicare how much approximately would I have had to pay ?
For example, if the hospital portion was 100,000 and the doctor, etc portion was 30,000 - you would pay the hospital deductible of 1600 (for 2023) plus 20% of the 30,000 or 6000. So your total out-of-pocket would be 7600 ( if yes were the split).
@@youngtimer964not quite. Hospital bills are works of fiction. The $30,000 portion which would be paid through Part B would be discounted by Medicares approved rates. So it would probably be around $5,000 and the copay would be $1,000. Add that to the Part A deductible and the patient responsibility would be a lot less.
@@johnscott2746well said, hospital bills are works of fiction for Medicare patients. Only the Medicare approved amount which is a huge discount will be considered a liability for the patients 20%.
I didn't get a supplement when I turned 65. I wish I knew then what I know now. My Plan N costs a lot more because I didn't get it three years ago. Big mistake.
If I were to buy the cheapest possible supplement plan now, could I later change to one of the more expensive ones without having to undergo a health test?
Stephanie, When signing up for Medicare at 65 for parts A, B, do I have to sign up for a Supplement Plan at the same time, or can I sign up for A, B and then later a Supplement plan?
Hi, I am confused. The video said 6 months after your part B effective date, but I have been told what werefeat said which is 3 before and 3 months after. Which is it and is there a quick FAQ medicare link to find out fir shure? Thanks.
Even though it’s work, best to do a Google search and read Medicare.gov info. Then research the different plans like A to F, N, etc. You will have a hard decision in selecting a Gap policy that you can afford or a cheaper policy with less coverage. Then, about 50% of 60 million people chose a Part C Advantage policy while some alleged experts say, don’t give up Original Medicare for Advantage even if you can convert back. I actually don’t know because my employer provides Retiree Medical coverage with dental and vision but requires I enroll in A and B.
If you're on a fixed income, the price of the supplement will continue to go up and it will eventually become a burden to pay the monthly premium. Yes, it would be nice to have that supplement for the 20% of part B, but many don't.
Will you please tell me if I need to get a supplement insurance or Medigap if I’m getting VA (champva) plus Medicare regular A & B?? I’m so confused!🙏🏼🙏🏼❤️
If I purchase a Medicare supplement without medical underwriting when I first turn 65 but then move to another state a few years later, will I have to undergo medical underwriting in my new state? Thank you.
Thank you for this very informative and helpful video. I'm curious, with all of your experience in this industry and knowing what you know about your clients medical outcomes generally, how will you personally assess the risk of going without a medigap plan? What percentage of generally healthy, middle-class, professional people 65- 85 experience a medical condition for which their 20% contribution would pose an undue burden?
Great question. One of the biggest issues when it comes to the 20% that you would be responsible for without a Medigap plan is a cancer diagnosis and treatment. 20% of the coat of one chemotherapy threat can be up to or above $3,000 (the full cost of a single treatment is estimated to be $1,000-$15,000). Data shows that one out of every 2 people will get diagnosed with center in their lifetime. In my opinion this is the biggest financial risk on going without a Medigap plan.
The risk is bad. I’m 62. I tried an Advantage plan. After thousands in copays, I switched to plan G. Yes, it costs. But one serious illness or accident, it pays for itself. Look at plan N if you are super healthy. But don’t go without a supplement. I am on disability and budget for my gap insurance, because the copays and deductibles for procedures and surgeries would break me.
If you get gap coverage when you turn 65, and then drop it a couple of years later, would you have to go through the underwriting hurdles to get a gap policy a second time?
I have Medicare due to having ESRD. I signed up for a Medigap plan within the first six months of being on Medicare. My question is, will I be able to sign up for a Medigap plan without it being underwritten when I turn 65 and sign up for Medicare again? Right now I'm 41 and will loss my Medicare a year after I get a new kidney.
Hi, I am confused. The video said 6 months after your part B effective date, but I have been told what werefeat said which is 3 before and 3 months after. Which is it and is there a quick FAQ medicare link to find out fir shure? Thanks.
Medigap open enrollment is 6 months from your Part B effective. This is different than the enrollment window for Parts A B C and D. More information can be found on Medicare.gov !
I just turned 65 and stilll working and have good health insurance with large company. Can I just get plan A now and put my plan B and supplemental insurance on hold till I retire ? Will I be able to get supplemental insurance then without the underwriting since I put plan B on hold?
My mom did not sign up for prescription coverage (part d) at 65 because she still had coverage from work but when she did retired at 78 she was penalized for late enrollment ! And it's not a one time fee, it's monthly. Something to consider ....
When dealing with American health insurance, there are no pros and cons. There are only cons. The programs and plans for seniors all lack coverage in one respect or another, and any area of health care where someone is not covered could result in premature death. Those in power approach their jobs with a combination of financial ignorance and disrespect for human life and for the lives of those customers buying their insurance. The safety net is not what it should be to protect people as they should be protected. Doctors do not follow the Hippocratic oath. Many doctors I have read are leaving the profession, mostly due to problems caused by insurance programs and companies. Insurance companies make billions in profits while people cannot afford necesssry health care and die from illnesses prematurely.
Great question! In general, if you plan to leave the US and not return you don’t need Medicare since Medicare generally doesn’t work outside of the US (although some Medicare Advantage Plans and Medicare Supplement Plans include foreign travel emergency benefits). But if you plan to return to the US or receive care in the US then you should enroll in Parts A and B when you are first eligible. I hope this helps! Please call us for more information. 888-465-9728.
Too expensive? Really? I pay $98 a month for Aetna medigap plan N. $20 copays and nothing else to pay, no matter what happens. My hospitalizations, cancer treatment, all covered in full without an extra penny out of my pocket. How much is your MOOP? You know, maximum out of pocket before your plan pays for anything? Most range between 2 and 4K from what I've seen and heard. Then a premium on top of that. Medicare Advantage is a hassle if used out of your home state- extra fees etc. for out of network. Referrals and preapprovals needed for everything, then often denied.. None of these problems with Medigap plans.
My sister in law made this comment shortly after dropping a medigap supp and going with Advantage. I hope I don't regret this decision or worse die prematurely because of it. Sadly she realized both within a year.
So it’s basically crap insurance that we’ve been paying into and have to pay for when we get older? And if you want any good coverage you have to buy another policy. Welcome to America. Ew.
Not at all. Original Medicare is a lot better than employer offered coverage. Part A is free of charge and pays for up to 60 days of hospitalization for one deductible charge. This year it’s about $1640 (?) . Not sure if that’s exact or not. Part B is about $175 a month and has a small deductible, couple hundred dollars a year. Medicare has approved amounts for every procedure that amount to about 17 to 18 cents on the dollar. It pays for 80% of the approved charge and then you pay the other 20%. Every insurance policy I ever had always had at least 30% copays and usually a deductible of thousands of dollars (per person) and also a family deductible as well. Medicare is great insurance!
It isn't crap at all. In fact, the day I turned 65 I canceled my employer's plan (which was crap, with it's high deductibles and copays) and signed up for Medicare and G Supplement! Much better coverage!
@@AbtInsuranceAgency oddly, they reinstated my IRMAA penalty automatically when I sold no stocks.......I got it back, with no effort on my part.....but when I make a few million, two years in a row....they will take it away again, this is a reoccuring thing...the Indian givers!
You could probably make way over $600 a month (maybe $6000) by teaching a monthly class (maybe 20 hours or so) about how you are able to pull that off!
I'm in Texas, but overall, the very best plans for MEDICAL is/was the Medicare F plan. It was the best and most popular plan ever. Obama stopped it because it paid for everything to the limits of Medicare if you paid the monthly premium. He said he didn't think that it was "fair" to have a plan where the beneficiary "didn't have any skin in the game."
@@KMarik That's right. In fact, if you have a plan F and want to change carriers, you can do so. OR if for some reason, you didn't get on Medicare because you stayed with your company plan, and your birthday is early enough, you can get an F plan. After that, the Plan G is the best plan you can buy for Medical.
Plan F and G are identical except F covers the $226 yearly deductible. Plan G is like $30 less per month so it is actually cheaper than F even when paying the deductible.
@@mikef8846 You're right. The big thing is that at the beginning of the year, you have to cough up the Part B deductible. So a lot of people wouldn't go to the doctor because of the initial expense. The rational is to just budget for the premium and forget about any medical expense. Plan F was the most popular plan ever until Obamaman nuked it. He said that he didn't think it was fair to have a plan where you "don't have any skin in the game." Awwwww. And of course, he never mentioned the premium difference.
Unless you are wealthy, medigap insurance is necessary to keep you solvent. The 20% costs can bankrupt you if you have a major medical problem and don't have medigap.
You also need to talk about the choice of Part C - Medicare Advantage plans. A good Insurance agent would do that! People have choices, and you're only covering Supplement plans.
Hi, I have Med part a and b plus a Supplement plan $90 a month. When I get a doctor bill it shows the Supplement plan only paid a few dollars of the bill. When does the Supplement plan pay larger portions of a bill ? Is it for hospital stays or what ? Maybe I need to have an Advantage plan....I need help figuring out the least expensive way to go
This shows that most people don’t need a supplement plan. The small amounts that your supplement plan paid are what YOUR responsibility would have been without that plan. A lot of people are paying dollars to save nickels. Unless you are being hospitalized every year, it will never be cost effective to have that plan. You could self insure much cheaper. If it is worth it to you to pay for peace of mind, then that’s great. But you can see from your experience that original Medicare is great insurance.
@@mikeo9219lol. I wish I could claim to be young! It took many years of weighing the options to reach my conclusions. I have no doubt that SOME people would benefit from a supplement plan. But the only way it is profitable for the insurance companies is if they have a broad pool of clients. The healthy people get to pay for the sick ones. And supplements are unique in that they are insurance on insurance! Like getting a car policy and then getting another policy to pay your deductible if you have an accident! Most agents present the almost impossible situation as being very likely in order to scare people into getting a policy. It’s better to think about it logically. Have a nice day!
With the price of healthcare what it is, it is very easy to rack up $100,000.00 bill with just a day or two in the hospital. 20%=$20,000.00! A diagnoses of cancer or heart disease could run five or six hindred thousand, or even a million or more. I've watched it happen to previously very healthy people. 20% of a million would be $200,000.00! It doesn't seem much for a few doctor visits a year, but can add up REALLY fast when you end up in the hospital. No one thinks it will happen to them. A misstep coming off a porch, or a slip on ice can result in tens of thousands of dollars in hospital bills, rehab, physical therapy etc.
@@alansach8437wrong! First of all, Medicare is split into two parts. Part A covers hospitalization. Part B is medical coverage for Doctor bills and other medical expenses. So if you went into the hospital and were in there for a month and ran up a bill of a million dollars you would not have to pay 20% of that. The hospital bill would be the majority of the bill and you would only pay the part A deductible and then Medicare would cover the rest. Medicare also has approved charges for every procedure which typically amount to 17 to 18 cents on the dollar. If the part B portion was billed at $50,000 then the approved amount would probably be about $8500. Your 20% of that would be $1700. Add the part A deductible and your total out of pocket would be about $3300. These scare tactics are really despicable. I understand that some people may need a supplement plan but a healthy individual can do without one and be fine.
Can't afford a Medicare Supplement? Then make sure that you have a reliable bankruptcy attorney who can file Chapter 7 on your behalf when you get after a long stay in the hospital. Medicare Advantage is never a substitute for traditional Medicare for most everyone. Don't be suckered into Medicare Advantage.
Define long stay. The average hospital stay is 3 days. Even a heart attack with surgery to implant a stent would only keep you in for 5 days. You can be in the hospital for 60 continuous days and only pay one deductible. All other hospital bills would be paid by Medicare. Do some research and see how many hospital stays last more than 60 days.
@@johnscott2746 Obviously you live in a bubble where a six hundred dollar a day copayment is nothing. Three days of that would be a terrible expense for a lot of people.
@@bilahn1198As was noted in the video, the first 60 days in the hospital are covered by a single deductible. Then the next 30 days there is a $400 per day copay. Don’t know where you got $600.
I stand corrected on Part A But it is the 20% coinsurance on Part B For nearly all services, that is going to hurt most people. There are also many gaps in coverage, like vision and hearing, which, for me, are essential. There is also no upper cap on spending. If you are okay with that, then by all means, skip the supplements. I am not that healthy or wealthy.
Medicare Supplement premiums cost too much. It starts low (to trick you), and in a few years, the premiums go up, and never go down. IMO, because of the increasing premiums, it is better to self-insure.
@@TheVistaview1I guess it just depends. In my state, a plan g starts at about $210 per month. That is over $2500 a year. If you put away that amount each year (and you are of decent health) you should come out ahead. The average hospital stay is 3 days . Medicare has approved rates for all procedures which are around 17 or 18 cents on the dollar. If you have to have a medical procedure at say age 70, and you spend 5 or even more days in the hospital, your responsibility would be pretty low, The part A deductible and 20% of the APPROVED charges for PartB. By age 70, you would have have saved and put away 13 or 14 grand. After all, the premiums go up every year. So, unless you can get the supplement plan dirt cheap, it might be more cost effective to self insure. If you are in really bad health, that’s another story. If you think you are going to be hospitalized for six months (very rare) get all the insurance you can. Hope this helps.
I have a relative who ended up getting cancer. His bills have come to over a million dollars so far in two years since the diagnoses! If he only had Part A and B without a Suppliment, his share so far would be over $200,000.00 dollars! We no longer live in the age where you can barter medical service for a few dozen eggs that your hen laid!! It is insanely expensive, and trust me, many specialist won't let you walk in the door without cash in your hand or proof of insurance coverage. You go ahead and self insure! I sleep very well at night knowing I and my wife are covered!
Thanks for the content. Good audio. Might want to pull back for the video. I'm concerned about the premium increase in my Plan N.. Just wondering if the plan is to force all of us into MA plans. . THANKS!
Are we forced to have these ineffectual plans or may we use our hard earned money to pay for a proper healing physician. Dr means documented not healer. Healers give relief. Medicine gives relief. Dr ignores and drugs to harm and take advantage of the innocent people. Shame on those who do such things. No justice for malpractice! Daddy’s coming home… BAd system!!!
Amount of ignorance from so called experts is astounding. Part B is not only office visits. Part B is doctor's visit in office or in hospital. Part B is also surgeon charges in hospital. Is that really that hard to understand?
@@AbtInsuranceAgency everybody including you keeps saying part b is doctor office visit. It is not. It is doctor visit period. Office or hospital. Why are u confused? It is simple.
The great trick would be to explain the best option in less than 5 minutes. I have A and B, am 65, and want the simplest, cheapest medigap option to cover the 20 % premium. Thats it. It shouldnt b rocket science. I do not need a 20 minute sales pitch.
Very unlikely. Medicare has approved rates for every procedure which are much less than the billed amount. If someone had an illness which hospitalized them for six months, they would incur some large copays which could bankrupt them. But the average hospital stay is 3 days. And Medicare part B typically pays 17 to 18 cents on the dollar for any procedure. So an MRI billed at $7,000 would be reduced to about $800 and your copay would be $160. Actually spoke to a friend who said his MRI was reduced to $400 so his copay was $80. Medicare is great insurance just as it is.
@@johnscott2746 I don't know what data you're reading. I stand by what I said. The hospital co pay is six hundred dollars PER DAY. You must be fairly wealthy.
My plan G monthly premiums increased to $250 last summer. 3k a year. I canceled it , I put 3k in the bank to cover medical bills. I’m 78 with type 2 diabetes and hypertension and go for many checkups. So far the copays can come out of my grocery money. Examples. **. Cardiologist with EKG $27.00 Yearly eye exam. $27.00 MRI PELVIS WITH AND WITHOUT CONT, $91.00 Gyn annual. $ 5.00 Podiatrist. $20.00 Annual dermatologist $20.00 I used to let the statements come in and never look at them. Now I know what to expect and I’m not afraid. The 3k is still in the bank next year I’ll add the 3k again. If the feared “what if” happens. , set up a payment plan. Don’t be afraid.
Look at your medical bill. The big charge is scary. The second amt is MEDICARE APPROVED. That’s the real charge and Medicare pays 80% You pay 20% Don’t be afraid. Myself and other people I know only have Medicare .A,B, And D
@@AbtInsuranceAgency…..is part D the prescription very expensive…I am planning on taking megagap plus the part D for my prescription …please reply …my area code is 30017 .
I like traditional medicare and medigap. After my initial $300 deductible, I can see any doctor and never have to worry about paying a bill. If I have something that bothers me, I never have to think if its worth seeing a doctor, I just go.
@@ppumpkin3282 same same. i call and make specialist appointements anytime i want. they address my issues. no fuss no muss. no bill. medgap supplement all the way baby.
Best thing I ever did! Yes, it cost money every month. Bout at 72, I ended up in two hospitals ICU’s.costing a fortune. Then I was moved to Hospital #2, where I had a surgery that was $100,000. My medigap paid for everything!!!!! Oh my gosh! Can you imagine how much it would have been on an advantage plan!!
Mine would have cost $2700 total. That is my annual out-of-pocket maximum. No premiums. How much were your premiums? Unless you have a major surgery every year, my plan is much cheaper. And they do pay!
An Advantage Plan could have cost you your life. Seniors die every day because of sub par standards and outdated care with Advantage. Delays caused by denials and limited specialists with long waits also kill seniors. My sister in law dropped her medigap coverage after her husband passed. She couldn't afford it any longer. That one decision contributed greatly to her premature death. She suffered a stroke and her Advantage plan denied her an acute rehab and would only pay for regular rehab. Her doctors and the regular rehab both went on the record that she needed acute care vs regular. Sadly, after the family filed a challenge to the denial she choked on her own vomit and became brain dead. She spent months in a coma and finally passed. Her Advantage bill for the coma care was over 500 thousand. We as taxpayers were responsible for the insurance carriers greed. Administrator at the rehab told the family it happens multiple times every day in America.
@katherinepll
Read the fineprint. The out of pocket maximum with most Advantage Plans is for "in network covered services". If you have no choice and have to go out of network for care or your specialist orders services that aren't covered your liable for those costs or worse the facilities won't perform the services. Many healthcare facilities would work with patients but more and more are treating with outdated protocols not even offering the standard treatments since the Advantage Plans don't cover. It's the main reason why many health care groups no longer accept Advantage patients. The subpar care my sister in law recieved from her Advantage Dr's led to her early death. The Advanyage Plans are by far the biggest fraud dumped on our senior citizens.
Fortunately I made the right decision when I signed up for Medicare and a Supplement 10 years ago. It may have been luck since I didn't have a clue what I was doing...! Wish I'd had a video like yours to explain things so comprehensively....because it was beyond confusing to me. You're helping a lot of people to navigate a very difficult time!!
Thank you! 🙏🏼
At the time I was preparing to retire at age 66, I became ill with covid. I was still covered by my employer insurance. When I returned to work after covid, I became I'll again. Due to being off so long my insurance lapsed. I officially retired and signed up for SSI and Medicare plan B. I had signed up for plan A as soon as it was available at age 65. The second illness was kidney cancer that was discovered while I was in my open enrollment period. I quickly selected a Supplemental plan, and was I ever happy! It covered everything including an additional year of follow up immunotherapy with Katruda. I saved thousands of dollars every 90 days of follow up therapy! My Supplemental plan cost me about $95 a month! So don't gamble with your health or finances!
It's a gamble either way. Best advice I could get said that if you have a history of good health and are healthy today, the Advantage plan is probably a good bet. Again, they also have a maximum out of pocket so exposure is still limited. If you have questionable health and deal with health issues multiple times a year, the supplemental is the way to go.
Your videos have really helped me to make informed decisions about what to do when I turn 65 next year; ty!
You are so welcome!
Your videos are ALWAYS great & informative! You've helped me in the past get over several hurdles as I turned 65. Thanks for doing what you do! Happy Valentine's day!
I love hearing this! Thank you for watching, and Happy Valentines Day to you as well!
I concur!!! I thank God for her videos!! I tell everyone I can about them. 😊
These are very informative video's just when I need them to understand the confusing Medicare world. Thank you so much.
I love hearing that!
scratches the surface, is educational
Very helpful. Will be calling when I get my medicare B card.
I really appreciate your videos. They do clearly present the info about Medicare.
Medicare (original) pays 80% of the Dr bill, but does the testing get all paid , and not part of the 80%? TY for all the good information you post for people !!
You forgot to mension that you have to also putchase a part D prescription plan along with the supplement.
I have Plan F and in 7 years ( two in-patient surgeries, 2 colonoscopies, 2 outpatient surgeries, 4 MRIs, and assorted office visits) I've spent more on the premiums that the 20% of Medicare it has covered.
I am overjoyed to be healthy enough to say that. I can afford Plan F and it just bakes my healthcare into my costs like property taxes and the electric bill.
Thanks for your reply; I was wondering about the cost/benefit of medigap premiums -vs- 20% of medicare part B fees. I think it gets lost in the discussion that its 20% of the medicare negotiated rate that is payable, not 20% of the doctor's normal, non-medicare rate. Thanks for providing clarity on this issue!
@@cbp9510 Yes, indeed. Good point to reinforce.
I have Part A and B with VA Coverage at 100%. Do I need a Medicare Supplement? Thank You for your videos!
Why all the discussion about in or out of network? I have a supplemental G plan and there are no networks. Why would I want some bureaucrat to limit my healthcare options???
I explain here that Medigap plans have no networks.
Very helpful. Explained some things I did not know. Thankyou.
She’s really good at explaining to layperson
Why thank you!
Well done Stephanie!
Thank you!
Great informamtion for some one just starting to think about Medicare,, me LOL!!
Glad to hear that!
Ms, Abt I could use advice about dual-eligible plans and the possible consequences of accepting Medicaid
exelent explanation
I read last week, some hospital systems are no longer taking medicare advantage plans
Excellent!
So now that you were specific about Part A and B and potential expenses with those do the Medigap plans then step in and cover those expenses? Say like a Medigap G plan?
Yes, Plan G covers all expenses except the Part B deductible!
Excellent information & presentation!
Thank you!
I have an Advantage plan that is $167/month. I could have chosen one of the same company's cheaper plans or even $0 plans, But the coverage I am getting is extremely comprehensive, Similar to my large employer based plan was but even better. For me this total piece of mind is well worth it.
It is available through my very large former employer and the process is very simple.
The perks of working for a very large employer I wish were available to everyone.
I'm a nursing home administrator. Medicare advantage is not good in the nursing home. The insurance company will deny benefits after about 14 days. If your not done with therapy, or you can't walk, hell, if you can't get out of bed, you are going home. They won't pay.
An Advantage Plan Part C is typically a strong local network, but poor outside the network and area. And there is increasing complaints about insurers denying specialty coverage or treatment that should be covered.
Go all in from the get go!!!! Most people don’t stay healthy! You will be glad that you did….
My wife is on the group plan for retirees with Medicare which mimics my retiree plan without Medicare. We met with an advisor and yes the original plan with a part D may have been cheaper we decided to stay on our large group retiree plan. As we were leaving the advisor did say a group plan is a great way to go.
Hi Love your videos - If I were to sign up for a medical supplement plan would I still need a part D?
@@nelson6553 if you want Rx coverage, then yes. Please call us anytime! 888-465-9728
Several years ago I had to have a quadruple bypass surgery the total bill was $130,000.I was in the hospital for 13 days.If I only had Medicare how much approximately would I have had to pay ?
It’s hard to say without knowing how much of that portion was covered by Part A vs Part B of Medicare.
For example, if the hospital portion was 100,000 and the doctor, etc portion was 30,000 - you would pay the hospital deductible of 1600 (for 2023) plus 20% of the 30,000 or 6000. So your total out-of-pocket would be 7600 ( if yes were the split).
@@youngtimer964not quite. Hospital bills are works of fiction. The $30,000 portion which would be paid through Part B would be discounted by Medicares approved rates. So it would probably be around $5,000 and the copay would be $1,000. Add that to the Part A deductible and the patient responsibility would be a lot less.
@@johnscott2746 Good example, most people do not understand Medicare, insurance peddlers want us to be confused about Medicare approved rates.
@@johnscott2746well said, hospital bills are works of fiction for Medicare patients. Only the Medicare approved amount which is a huge discount will be considered a liability for the patients 20%.
(2:50) What is a lifetime reserve day? Don't the Part A hospital days start over each year?
What is your best advice for dental and vision maintenance plans to attach to traditional Medicare A&B! Thanks!!
th-cam.com/video/WldbEu_CRCQ/w-d-xo.html
I didn't get a supplement when I turned 65. I wish I knew then what I know now. My Plan N costs a lot more because I didn't get it three years ago. Big mistake.
This is informative and helpful!
Thank you!
If you wait to get a supplement plan, won't it cost you more than if you had signed up right away?
I answer that question with this 60 second video: th-cam.com/users/shortsdHpyIu_JYbI?si=zl3Gpkvj6CyEM7_F
If I were to buy the cheapest possible supplement plan now, could I later change to one of the more expensive ones without having to undergo a health test?
In most states you will have to go through medical underwriting to change or “upgrade” your Medicare supplement plan in the future.
@@AbtInsuranceAgency Thank you
Only in the first 6 months of coverage. You can switch once. I did it. Went from Advantage to Part G.
Stephanie,
When signing up for Medicare at 65 for parts A, B, do I have to sign up for a Supplement Plan at the same time, or can I sign up for A, B and then later a Supplement plan?
Can do it later
Three months before your birth month and then three months after. Otherwise, you have to pass the HEALTH QUESTIONS to get a Med Sup.
Hi, I am confused. The video said 6 months after your part B effective date, but I have been told what werefeat said which is 3 before and 3 months after. Which is it and is there a quick FAQ medicare link to find out fir shure? Thanks.
Even though it’s work, best to do a Google search and read Medicare.gov info. Then research the different plans like A to F, N, etc. You will have a hard decision in selecting a Gap policy that you can afford or a cheaper policy with less coverage. Then, about 50% of 60 million people chose a Part C Advantage policy while some alleged experts say, don’t give up Original Medicare for Advantage even if you can convert back. I actually don’t know because my employer provides Retiree Medical coverage with dental and vision but requires I enroll in A and B.
I'm moving from California to Texas when I retire. Will you be able to help me to figure out how to buy Plan B and Plan C if I call you?
Yes! Absolutely. 888-465-9728.
If you're on a fixed income, the price of the supplement will continue to go up and it will eventually become a burden to pay the monthly premium. Yes, it would be nice to have that supplement for the 20% of part B, but many don't.
Will you please tell me if I need to get a supplement insurance or Medigap if I’m getting VA (champva) plus Medicare regular A & B?? I’m so confused!🙏🏼🙏🏼❤️
It completely depends on your needs! Feel free to call us any time. 888-465-9728.
I will be calling you soon oon
If I purchase a Medicare supplement without medical underwriting when I first turn 65 but then move to another state a few years later, will I have to undergo medical underwriting in my new state? Thank you.
No! The plans always travel with you.
@@AbtInsuranceAgency Thank you.
Are you licensed in Massachusetts, please?
Thank you for this very informative and helpful video. I'm curious, with all of your experience in this industry and knowing what you know about your clients medical outcomes generally, how will you personally assess the risk of going without a medigap plan? What percentage of generally healthy, middle-class, professional people 65- 85 experience a medical condition for which their 20% contribution would pose an undue burden?
Great question. One of the biggest issues when it comes to the 20% that you would be responsible for without a Medigap plan is a cancer diagnosis and treatment. 20% of the coat of one chemotherapy threat can be up to or above $3,000 (the full cost of a single treatment is estimated to be $1,000-$15,000). Data shows that one out of every 2 people will get diagnosed with center in their lifetime. In my opinion this is the biggest financial risk on going without a Medigap plan.
The risk is bad. I’m 62. I tried an Advantage plan. After thousands in copays, I switched to plan G. Yes, it costs. But one serious illness or accident, it pays for itself. Look at plan N if you are super healthy. But don’t go without a supplement. I am on disability and budget for my gap insurance, because the copays and deductibles for procedures and surgeries would break me.
If you get gap coverage when you turn 65, and then drop it a couple of years later, would you have to go through the underwriting hurdles to get a gap policy a second time?
In general, yes. If you are more than 6 months from your Medicare Part B effective date.
Yes. The only time you don’t is the first 6 months. You are allowed to change once during this period without a physical.
I have Medicare due to having ESRD. I signed up for a Medigap plan within the first six months of being on Medicare. My question is, will I be able to sign up for a Medigap plan without it being underwritten when I turn 65 and sign up for Medicare again? Right now I'm 41 and will loss my Medicare a year after I get a new kidney.
Well addressed info, thx.
Thanks for watching!
Hi, I am confused. The video said 6 months after your part B effective date, but I have been told what werefeat said which is 3 before and 3 months after. Which is it and is there a quick FAQ medicare link to find out fir shure? Thanks.
Medigap open enrollment is 6 months from your Part B effective. This is different than the enrollment window for Parts A B C and D. More information can be found on Medicare.gov !
I just turned 65 and stilll working and have good health insurance with large company. Can I just get plan A now and put my plan B and supplemental insurance on hold till I retire ? Will I be able to get supplemental insurance then without the underwriting since I put plan B on hold?
Yes, that’s exactly right!
My mom did not sign up for prescription coverage (part d) at 65 because she still had coverage from work but when she did retired at 78 she was penalized for late enrollment ! And it's not a one time fee, it's monthly.
Something to consider ....
@@AbtInsuranceAgency will I be able to get plan D later also with no penalties?
@@amiehill8104 yes as long as you have had creditable coverage.
When dealing with American health insurance, there are no pros and cons. There are only cons. The programs and plans for seniors all lack coverage in one respect or another, and any area of health care where someone is not covered could result in premature death. Those in power approach their jobs with a combination of financial ignorance and disrespect for human life and for the lives of those customers buying their insurance. The safety net is not what it should be to protect people as they should be protected. Doctors do not follow the Hippocratic oath. Many doctors I have read are leaving the profession, mostly due to problems caused by insurance programs and companies. Insurance companies make billions in profits while people cannot afford necesssry health care and die from illnesses prematurely.
Hi beautiful ❤️ thanks for the update have a good night
Can you talk about what we need to know those who are moving abroad after retirement ?
Great question!
In general, if you plan to leave the US and not return you don’t need Medicare since Medicare generally doesn’t work outside of the US (although some Medicare Advantage Plans and Medicare Supplement Plans include foreign travel emergency benefits). But if you plan to return to the US or receive care in the US then you should enroll in Parts A and B when you are first eligible. I hope this helps! Please call us for more information. 888-465-9728.
@@AbtInsuranceAgency thank you for your response and valuable info.
A supplemental plan is too expensive monthly, I will stay with my advantage plan
Too expensive? Really? I pay $98 a month for Aetna medigap plan N. $20 copays and nothing else to pay, no matter what happens. My hospitalizations, cancer treatment, all covered in full without an extra penny out of my pocket. How much is your MOOP? You know, maximum out of pocket before your plan pays for anything? Most range between 2 and 4K from what I've seen and heard. Then a premium on top of that. Medicare Advantage is a hassle if used out of your home state- extra fees etc. for out of network. Referrals and preapprovals needed for everything, then often denied.. None of these problems with Medigap plans.
just hope you don’t ever have to see a doctor in another state.
My sister in law made this comment shortly after dropping a medigap supp and going with Advantage.
I hope I don't regret this decision or worse die prematurely because of it. Sadly she realized both within a year.
If you get a Medigap plan do you still pay the first $1600 deductable for a hospital stay?
No, most all plans cover this Part A deductible at 100%!
So it’s basically crap insurance that we’ve been paying into and have to pay for when we get older? And if you want any good coverage you have to buy another policy. Welcome to America. Ew.
Not at all. Original Medicare is a lot better than employer offered coverage. Part A is free of charge and pays for up to 60 days of hospitalization for one deductible charge. This year it’s about $1640 (?) . Not sure if that’s exact or not. Part B is about $175 a month and has a small deductible, couple hundred dollars a year. Medicare has approved amounts for every procedure that amount to about 17 to 18 cents on the dollar. It pays for 80% of the approved charge and then you pay the other 20%. Every insurance policy I ever had always had at least 30% copays and usually a deductible of thousands of dollars (per person) and also a family deductible as well. Medicare is great insurance!
It isn't crap at all. In fact, the day I turned 65 I canceled my employer's plan (which was crap, with it's high deductibles and copays) and signed up for Medicare and G Supplement! Much better coverage!
Its crap if you go the advantage part c route - traditional Medicare is the best in the US
I pay $600 a month for my medicare premium since I make too much money...except I have been unemployed and retired 40 years.
Check out form SSA-44 to see if you can appeal IRMAA!
@@AbtInsuranceAgency oddly, they reinstated my IRMAA penalty automatically when I sold no stocks.......I got it back, with no effort on my part.....but when I make a few million, two years in a row....they will take it away again, this is a reoccuring thing...the Indian givers!
@@sanhedrin5595when you make a few million? You should just be thankful and shut up! I know people who are living in their cars!
You could probably make way over $600 a month (maybe $6000) by teaching a monthly class (maybe 20 hours or so) about how you are able to pull that off!
I'm in Texas, but overall, the very best plans for MEDICAL is/was the Medicare F plan. It was the best and most popular plan ever. Obama stopped it because it paid for everything to the limits of Medicare if you paid the monthly premium. He said he didn't think that it was "fair" to have a plan where the beneficiary "didn't have any skin in the game."
People who were on Medicare F before January 1, 2020 can stay on that plan. If you don’t have plan F, have you looked at plan G?
@@KMarik That's right. In fact, if you have a plan F and want to change carriers, you can do so. OR if for some reason, you didn't get on Medicare because you stayed with your company plan, and your birthday is early enough, you can get an F plan. After that, the Plan G is the best plan you can buy for Medical.
Plan F and G are identical except F covers the $226 yearly deductible. Plan G is like $30 less per month so it is actually cheaper than F even when paying the deductible.
@@mikef8846 You're right. The big thing is that at the beginning of the year, you have to cough up the Part B deductible. So a lot of people wouldn't go to the doctor because of the initial expense. The rational is to just budget for the premium and forget about any medical expense. Plan F was the most popular plan ever until Obamaman nuked it. He said that he didn't think it was fair to have a plan where you "don't have any skin in the game." Awwwww. And of course, he never mentioned the premium difference.
Unless you are wealthy, medigap insurance is necessary to keep you solvent. The 20% costs can bankrupt you if you have a major medical problem and don't have medigap.
When you turn 65, just dont sign up. Buy your coveage on the open market. Im sure the insurance companies will treat you right.
So do you pay $174 monthly plus $226 annually and is the $226 taken out of your social security?
Yes. But the $226 is paid directly to your doctor, for services each calendar year ($240 in 2024)
Great job Stephanie! Is IRMA readjusted every year based on new gross income filling, or it is set for life?
Adjusted every year!
You also need to talk about the choice of Part C - Medicare Advantage plans. A good Insurance agent would do that! People have choices, and you're only covering Supplement plans.
I cover both, with many videos on each type of plan and I have hundreds of videos on these options on my channel. Check it out sometime! 😁
All insurance companies are there to make money.
Hi, I have Med part a and b plus a Supplement plan $90 a month. When I get a doctor bill it shows the Supplement plan only paid a few dollars of the bill. When does the Supplement plan pay larger portions of a bill ? Is it for hospital stays or what ? Maybe I need to have an Advantage plan....I need help figuring out the least expensive way to go
That’s exactly what we can help with.
Call us at 888-465-9728 or email stephanie@abtinsuranceagency.com.
This shows that most people don’t need a supplement plan. The small amounts that your supplement plan paid are what YOUR responsibility would have been without that plan. A lot of people are paying dollars to save nickels. Unless you are being hospitalized every year, it will never be cost effective to have that plan. You could self insure much cheaper. If it is worth it to you to pay for peace of mind, then that’s great. But you can see from your experience that original Medicare is great insurance.
@@mikeo9219lol. I wish I could claim to be young! It took many years of weighing the options to reach my conclusions. I have no doubt that SOME people would benefit from a supplement plan. But the only way it is profitable for the insurance companies is if they have a broad pool of clients. The healthy people get to pay for the sick ones. And supplements are unique in that they are insurance on insurance! Like getting a car policy and then getting another policy to pay your deductible if you have an accident! Most agents present the almost impossible situation as being very likely in order to scare people into getting a policy. It’s better to think about it logically. Have a nice day!
With the price of healthcare what it is, it is very easy to rack up $100,000.00 bill with just a day or two in the hospital. 20%=$20,000.00! A diagnoses of cancer or heart disease could run five or six hindred thousand, or even a million or more. I've watched it happen to previously very healthy people. 20% of a million would be $200,000.00! It doesn't seem much for a few doctor visits a year, but can add up REALLY fast when you end up in the hospital. No one thinks it will happen to them. A misstep coming off a porch, or a slip on ice can result in tens of thousands of dollars in hospital bills, rehab, physical therapy etc.
@@alansach8437wrong! First of all, Medicare is split into two parts. Part A covers hospitalization. Part B is medical coverage for Doctor bills and other medical expenses. So if you went into the hospital and were in there for a month and ran up a bill of a million dollars you would not have to pay 20% of that. The hospital bill would be the majority of the bill and you would only pay the part A deductible and then Medicare would cover the rest. Medicare also has approved charges for every procedure which typically amount to 17 to 18 cents on the dollar. If the part B portion was billed at $50,000 then the approved amount would probably be about $8500. Your 20% of that would be $1700. Add the part A deductible and your total out of pocket would be about $3300. These scare tactics are really despicable. I understand that some people may need a supplement plan but a healthy individual can do without one and be fine.
Can't afford a Medicare Supplement? Then make sure that you have a reliable bankruptcy attorney
who can file Chapter 7 on your behalf when you get after a long stay in the hospital. Medicare
Advantage is never a substitute for traditional Medicare for most everyone. Don't be suckered
into Medicare Advantage.
That is a broad generalization which is not correct. Zero dollar plans have definite drawbacks. Is more expensive ones are much better.
Define long stay. The average hospital stay is 3 days. Even a heart attack with surgery to implant a stent would only keep you in for 5 days. You can be in the hospital for 60 continuous days and only pay one deductible. All other hospital bills would be paid by Medicare. Do some research and see how many hospital stays last more than 60 days.
@@johnscott2746 Obviously you live in a bubble where a six hundred dollar a day copayment is nothing. Three days of that would be a terrible expense for a lot of people.
@@bilahn1198As was noted in the video, the first 60 days in the hospital are covered by a single deductible. Then the next 30 days there is a $400 per day copay. Don’t know where you got $600.
I stand corrected on Part A
But it is the 20% coinsurance on Part B For nearly all services, that is going to hurt most people.
There are also many gaps in coverage, like vision and hearing, which, for me, are essential. There is also no upper cap on spending.
If you are okay with that, then by all means, skip the supplements. I am not that healthy or wealthy.
Does a Medicare supplement help with the out of pocket expenses for Medicare part A?
Yes ! th-cam.com/video/PxPBb80x_S4/w-d-xo.html
No
@@rwilia that’s incorrect, Medigap plans do help with Part A expenses.
Monthly payment
Medicap is for the 20 percent part b doesn't cover
Medicare Supplement premiums cost too much. It starts low (to trick you), and in a few years, the premiums go up, and never go down. IMO, because of the increasing premiums, it is better to self-insure.
Thanks for sharing your input!
I agree but people fall for it.
Self insure? Doesn’t sound to smart.
@@TheVistaview1I guess it just depends. In my state, a plan g starts at about $210 per month. That is over $2500 a year. If you put away that amount each year (and you are of decent health) you should come out ahead. The average hospital stay is 3 days . Medicare has approved rates for all procedures which are around 17 or 18 cents on the dollar. If you have to have a medical procedure at say age 70, and you spend 5 or even more days in the hospital, your responsibility would be pretty low, The part A deductible and 20% of the APPROVED charges for PartB. By age 70, you would have have saved and put away 13 or 14 grand. After all, the premiums go up every year. So, unless you can get the supplement plan dirt cheap, it might be more cost effective to self insure. If you are in really bad health, that’s another story. If you think you are going to be hospitalized for six months (very rare) get all the insurance you can. Hope this helps.
I have a relative who ended up getting cancer. His bills have come to over a million dollars so far in two years since the diagnoses! If he only had Part A and B without a Suppliment, his share so far would be over $200,000.00 dollars! We no longer live in the age where you can barter medical service for a few dozen eggs that your hen laid!! It is insanely expensive, and trust me, many specialist won't let you walk in the door without cash in your hand or proof of insurance coverage. You go ahead and self insure! I sleep very well at night knowing I and my wife are covered!
Let me know what you think of this video - and what Medicare topics I should cover next! ⬇
what about medication?
Very informative
Thanks for the content. Good audio. Might want to pull back for the video. I'm concerned about the premium increase in my Plan N.. Just wondering if the plan is to force all of us into MA plans. . THANKS!
Vid seems good . Does the medigap pay what part A will not pay
Are we forced to have these ineffectual plans or may we use our hard earned money to pay for a proper healing physician.
Dr means documented not healer.
Healers give relief.
Medicine gives relief.
Dr ignores and drugs to harm and take advantage of the innocent people.
Shame on those who do such things.
No justice for malpractice!
Daddy’s coming home…
BAd system!!!
Amount of ignorance from so called experts is astounding. Part B is not only office visits. Part B is doctor's visit in office or in hospital. Part B is also surgeon charges in hospital. Is that really that hard to understand?
Are you implying that I didn't convey this properly?
@@AbtInsuranceAgency everybody including you keeps saying part b is doctor office visit. It is not. It is doctor visit period. Office or hospital. Why are u confused? It is simple.
Get regular Medicare and a supplement do not waste time on all this stuff.they try to confess you by calling things different names
One spends down to Medicaid level after a hundred grand out of pocket
Hi beautiful 😻
The great trick would be to explain the best option in less than 5 minutes. I have A and B, am 65, and want the simplest, cheapest medigap option to cover the 20 % premium. Thats it. It shouldnt b rocket science. I do not need a 20 minute sales pitch.
The best plan will really depend on your area, because pricing can vary.
No
Medicare covers hospital, you are misleading. My medigap premium is $226 EVERY MONTH.
What part of this video was misleading?
Not having a supplement could bankrupt even a person of means.
Very unlikely. Medicare has approved rates for every procedure which are much less than the billed amount. If someone had an illness which hospitalized them for six months, they would incur some large copays which could bankrupt them. But the average hospital stay is 3 days. And Medicare part B typically pays 17 to 18 cents on the dollar for any procedure. So an MRI billed at $7,000 would be reduced to about $800 and your copay would be $160. Actually spoke to a friend who said his MRI was reduced to $400 so his copay was $80. Medicare is great insurance just as it is.
@@johnscott2746 I don't know what data you're reading. I stand by what I said.
The hospital co pay is six hundred dollars PER DAY. You must be fairly wealthy.
@@johnscott2746 Agree with your comment. Most people are clueless, lots of deception and scare tactics by insurance peddlers.
My plan G monthly premiums increased to $250 last summer. 3k a year. I canceled it , I put 3k in the bank to cover medical bills. I’m 78 with type 2 diabetes and hypertension and go for many checkups. So far the copays can come out of my grocery money.
Examples. **. Cardiologist with EKG $27.00
Yearly eye exam. $27.00
MRI PELVIS WITH
AND WITHOUT CONT, $91.00
Gyn annual. $ 5.00
Podiatrist. $20.00
Annual dermatologist $20.00
I used to let the statements come in and never look at them. Now I know what to expect and I’m not afraid. The 3k is still in the bank next year I’ll add the 3k again.
If the feared “what if” happens. , set up a payment plan. Don’t be afraid.
Look at your medical bill.
The big charge is scary.
The second amt is MEDICARE APPROVED. That’s the real charge and Medicare pays 80%
You pay 20%
Don’t be afraid. Myself and other people I know only have Medicare .A,B, And D
State in the videos what you get paid for selling Medigap vs. MA. I dare you.
th-cam.com/video/DBwUb_QfaB0/w-d-xo.html
I thank not, pay your own way, don’t give your money for a supplemental plan .
Do not do it
I have questions and if I call your 888#, will I be able to speak to you personally? Kindly advise, Thanks.
tried to send a message but don't know the email address?
Stephanie@abtinsuranceagency.com
@@AbtInsuranceAgency…..is part D the prescription very expensive…I am planning on taking megagap plus the part D for my prescription …please reply …my area code is 30017 .