Visit to National Jewish Health in Denver, CO

@sickalot

"I was told by NJH that the best plan is Original Medicare and then get Medigap for the rest."

Best advice you could get right there.

Thank you. That is what I have. We'll see what it pays. Roz

@sickalot
I had UHC and they said they weren’t going to cover me in 2026!
So I called my broker and I signed up for Medigap insurance which is actually better than a Medicare supplement plan. It is actually cheaper than a supplement plan after you add up all the copays and extra costs with the supplement plans! Go figure….
I would highly recommend looking into medigap insurance. NJH is 100% right on that! Best to you!

@winterfelllvoyager75 To clarify. The Medigap is a Supplement Plan. It is a supplement to Original Medicare.
This is an AI explanation: "Yes, Medigap is also called a Medicare Supplement plan. The terms are used interchangeably to describe private insurance plans that help pay for costs not covered by Original Medicare, such as deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance."
I have a Medigap Plan, the Supplement to Original Medicare. The Original Medicare Gov't Plan has the responsibility of covering the A and B benefits. When you have Medigap/Supplement Plan you may, and often do, need to sign up for a separate drug plan, Plan D.
When a person signs up to have the Advantage Plans it replaces the A and B plan benefits of the Original Medicare Gov't Plan and you have greater deductibles, copays and coinsurance. Part A and Part B coverage is now provided through a private insurance company. The Advantage Plan, (the insurance carrier) takes on the responsibility of covering the A and B benefits rather than Original Medicare Gov't Plan.
You are right about a Medigap/Supplement Plan being better in the long run, and short run in many instances when needing certain medical needs each year. Cost wise the Medigap/Supplement is less expensive for the insured in the long run or short run due to the way it works, less deductibles, copays and coinsurance when you use the plan each year. You pay a bit more in premiums but due to the way the Medigap/Supplement Plan works you won't be paying all those deductibles, copays, coinsurances which can be a big savings in the long run and short run, especially if needing hospital care and rehab care. The Medigap/Supplement plan allows for more than 20 days in rehab after a hospital stay and the time element can help with better outcomes when needing rehab.
Hope this helps those looking into the plans and having to make decisions about the plans.
Barbara

Yep….thats right! Just wish I had the Medigap plan G. Too late for that now!

@winterfelllvoyager75 I know how you feel.....so many people have had to say the same thing...too late now.
I had to have a good few conversations with my 'baby' sister about the why of choosing Medigap/Supplement vs. an Advantage Plan. She has had excellent health and however I had to help her focus in on how things can change from one day to the next. She is now 70. She went to an Advantage Plan conference and asked the most important question, "How much is the deductible each year if you have to go to the hospital..... one year and then the next year". That finally convinced her to go with the G Plan.
As a matter of fact she just had an unexpected shopping cart accident and is having pain in the stomach diaphragm area. As we know things can change in an instant. Hope it is just a muscle sprain for her but so glad she did her inquiry etc. and decided on the Medigap/Supplement Plan.
Wishing you a good day.
Barbara

My son has Humana which was not excepted at Mayo I’m not sure if that’s still the case.

@blm1007blm1007
Oh no! Hope she is ok. Maybe a bruised diaphragm. That can be very painful.
Thanks for your validation.

@rozie83 I’ve been to NJH 4 times now. They are wonderful. I have Bronchiectasis, NO NTM thank goodness. I have chronic pseudomonas, that I keep under control with nebulizing using 7% 3x a day. I have Medicare with AARP supplement. I never have had any problems or bills. I make my ow referrals. My NJH doctor prescribed Brinsupri 25mg 2 months ago. It’s working great for me.

@mydelta Welcome to Connect. I'm sorry you need to be here, but it is a great group.
Thanks for sharing that info on your insurance-helpful info. My late parents always had AARP as a supplement and liked it.

Thank you for sharing about the 7% with your pseudomonas and Brinsupri-encouraging!