Incorrect on true Medicare, chemo and radiation. Drugs are in two classifications. Those administered in a medical environment (ie docs office or other medical facility) and those that are considered prescription drugs. Those administered in a med environment are covered under Part B, those provided by prescription are covered under Part D if you have taken that option. Medicare covers virtually anything that is deemed medically necessary without question…..if your provider knows how to code it properly.

I am a retire business owner who has dealt with medical insurance and other benefits for over 40 years. I spent six months studying the entire Medicare vs advantage plan option, including querying everyone I knew who was past 65 as well as every doctor I knew. Almost everyone was clear about true CMS Medicare being the only choice for best medical care long term. Not the cheapest (and, with Medicare Joe Neimeth won’t drive me to bingo or gIve me “free” Depends), but I can go to any Medicare accepting provider, anywhere without some “for profit” insurance company bureaucrat controlling my care.

There is no free lunch. Pay me now or pay me later. Good Advantage plans may have a place for some, but the ability to have full choice, including centers of excellence like Mayo, Cleveland, John’s-Hopkins, M D Anderson and others is worth the potential added costs of CMS Medicare. Oh, advantage plans typically only allow emergency care outside your immediate service area. If you are a traveler as we are, I can go to any provider anywhere in the US and get care without having to be an emergency.

Again, I stress the need to understand the truth and facts about Medicare and advantage plans…. Advantage plans are very profitable for insurance companies. They pay bigger commissions to insurance brokers as well as incentives to providers…. chose wisely….you only get one chance to get it right. After 6 months you are pretty much locked in for life…