My Medicare Advantage plan is one through my former employment and is a state plan. So far I've been satisfied with it, but I've not had any hospitalizations and I'm not on any expensive meds. I don't know much about the plans offered to individuals, other than they vary a LOT and also vary by location. The drug coverage probably varies a lot, too. The Medicare Supplement plans used to be standardized as to benefits but not price, but I don't know if they still are. (My husband was on one but he passed away in 2012.)
I wish I knew what plan to suggest but I don't have a clue. Perhaps there are resources available to provide guidance? That might be worth checking on.
@cec2 I went to a local insurance agent when I got the plan I have now. That plan has increased every year since 2019 . I checked on the Medicare.gov page they have drug plans and supplement plans most of the plans I never heard of .So I am going to a local agent on Monday I know that I want to stay with a G low deductible plan hoping the agent will know what is the best low cost option . I pay $166.15 now which doesn't sound so bad except that my husband pays $178.50 so our insurance is $344 a month. The plan I have now is Anthem and it pays great so I am a little fearful to switch so I hope the agent will have a solution.
@vickieannb57
Thank you for your information. Honestly, I would like to have another opinion out of the Medicare Advantage Plan I chose and have not done that. My O/H thought I had ET in January 2025 with CALR1 mutation but she changed it to primary myelofibrosis in February 2025 after I requested a bone marrow biopsy she said I did not need. I think that is why she changed my diagnosis. I did not pay anything for it as no copay. Then she sent me for pelvic CT and that came back with no enlarged spleen. I did not pay anything for that either as no copay. She sent me to bone marrow transplant specialist and he said no transplant needed now and may never need one or at least not for a long time. I did not pay anything for that either as no copay. He said there is no age restriction for bone marrow transplant if one is fit and healthy so I should stay that way like I am now. Currently I do take daily low dose aspirin only as on labs my platelets are high, red cells normal, and white cells only slightly high. I have no symptoms. I do daily exercise and eat well and am good weight at 106 for my height of 5 foot 2.5 inches. If I truly have myelofibrosis and develop symptoms, I would need to take meds that are costly. I would receive astronomical bills from my Advantage Plan if I needed to take those meds I know. Since it is possible that I might need to take them in the future, I agree that it would be good idea for me to change from what I have. I am just not sure what to change to still! When I signed up for Medicare when I turned 65 last year, I was very healthy and still feel like I am but I do have high platelets. Thanks for listening.
@1pearl You should tal to your insurance broker about your Advantage Plan. My broker changed my plan from one advantage plan to another. I don't have to pay for any of my prescriptions (class A drugs) including my hydrea. No charge to see primary and only $10 for specialists. Alsp $59/mo for food or otc drugs/supplements. $185 /mo taken out of SS.
My Medicare Advantage plan is one through my former employment and is a state plan. So far I've been satisfied with it, but I've not had any hospitalizations and I'm not on any expensive meds. I don't know much about the plans offered to individuals, other than they vary a LOT and also vary by location. The drug coverage probably varies a lot, too. The Medicare Supplement plans used to be standardized as to benefits but not price, but I don't know if they still are. (My husband was on one but he passed away in 2012.)
I wish I knew what plan to suggest but I don't have a clue. Perhaps there are resources available to provide guidance? That might be worth checking on.
@cec2
Thank you for your reply. I was told by a friend from high school who sells Medicare plans that she thought SCAN Alta Advantage plan here was much better than Kaiser last year when we both turned Medicare age. That is what she went with. She suggested I get it and choose a primary doc who refers to UCSD so I could see a MPN specialist which sounds like a good idea. I have not heard back from her if it still is a good if that would be a good option for 2026.
I am just blessed to feel absolutely fine. I was only given my MPN diagnosis from going to a new insurance plan (Medicare Advantage) after not being happy with the insurance and hand specialist choices I had through my husband’s employer last year when they determined I had high platelets from routine lab work. I take daily low dose aspirin now. I was going for a second opinion on my enlarged non painful right right finger proximal phalangeal joint but nothing has gotten done by them on that and I know won’t as I have seen two of their hand specialist who really do not know what it is. I know open enrollment started on October 15 so I need to keep researching better options.
Have a blessed weekend.
@cec2
Thank you for your reply. I was told by a friend from high school who sells Medicare plans that she thought SCAN Alta Advantage plan here was much better than Kaiser last year when we both turned Medicare age. That is what she went with. She suggested I get it and choose a primary doc who refers to UCSD so I could see a MPN specialist which sounds like a good idea. I have not heard back from her if it still is a good if that would be a good option for 2026.
I am just blessed to feel absolutely fine. I was only given my MPN diagnosis from going to a new insurance plan (Medicare Advantage) after not being happy with the insurance and hand specialist choices I had through my husband’s employer last year when they determined I had high platelets from routine lab work. I take daily low dose aspirin now. I was going for a second opinion on my enlarged non painful right right finger proximal phalangeal joint but nothing has gotten done by them on that and I know won’t as I have seen two of their hand specialist who really do not know what it is. I know open enrollment started on October 15 so I need to keep researching better options.
Have a blessed weekend.
@1pearl
Prayers for and best wishes to you and all the others having to make insurance decisions, and also for better health and healing. You have a blessed weekend, too.
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@cec2 I went to a local insurance agent when I got the plan I have now. That plan has increased every year since 2019 . I checked on the Medicare.gov page they have drug plans and supplement plans most of the plans I never heard of .So I am going to a local agent on Monday I know that I want to stay with a G low deductible plan hoping the agent will know what is the best low cost option . I pay $166.15 now which doesn't sound so bad except that my husband pays $178.50 so our insurance is $344 a month. The plan I have now is Anthem and it pays great so I am a little fearful to switch so I hope the agent will have a solution.
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Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@1pearl You should tal to your insurance broker about your Advantage Plan. My broker changed my plan from one advantage plan to another. I don't have to pay for any of my prescriptions (class A drugs) including my hydrea. No charge to see primary and only $10 for specialists. Alsp $59/mo for food or otc drugs/supplements. $185 /mo taken out of SS.
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@cec2
Thank you for your reply. I was told by a friend from high school who sells Medicare plans that she thought SCAN Alta Advantage plan here was much better than Kaiser last year when we both turned Medicare age. That is what she went with. She suggested I get it and choose a primary doc who refers to UCSD so I could see a MPN specialist which sounds like a good idea. I have not heard back from her if it still is a good if that would be a good option for 2026.
I am just blessed to feel absolutely fine. I was only given my MPN diagnosis from going to a new insurance plan (Medicare Advantage) after not being happy with the insurance and hand specialist choices I had through my husband’s employer last year when they determined I had high platelets from routine lab work. I take daily low dose aspirin now. I was going for a second opinion on my enlarged non painful right right finger proximal phalangeal joint but nothing has gotten done by them on that and I know won’t as I have seen two of their hand specialist who really do not know what it is. I know open enrollment started on October 15 so I need to keep researching better options.
Have a blessed weekend.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 Reactions@1pearl
Prayers for and best wishes to you and all the others having to make insurance decisions, and also for better health and healing. You have a blessed weekend, too.