With Giardini's help, my husband and I went with a Medigap G plan. We started it Jan 2023 and have no regrets. We're pretty healthy, but thinking about down the road, it seemed like the right plan for us. There is a lot to think about when first getting started on Medicare and having to choose a plan, but these videos can be very helpful.
My husband was thinking ahead and enrolled us in a Medigap part G plan just before he retired. 15 days in 2023 after our plan went into effect he was sent by Ambulance to the ER where he was diagnosed with AFIB and had 3 heart procedures in as many months. I had triple bypass surgery in February 2024 and we never received one single bill for any of it. Best decision we ever made.
Very thorough discussion on this. I have Medicare a, b and d. I need to get a Medigap plan. I didn't know much about them until I viewed your discussion. Thanks.
I will be 65 in Dec. I am currently asking questions. Medigap vs UPMC Advantage. I've asked several people in passing and they say UPMC Advantage is the way to go. I did talk with a PA Medi and he is trying to steer me to Medigap. I plugged my meds in at Goodrx and 'm seeing $10 but UPMC shows 0% for my generics. So I doubt I'll signup on Goodrx. Am I moving in the right direction? I am currently on SS at $1300 a month.
Hi Eric, sorry, but we can't give a specific answer about which plan is right for you without having a conversation over the phone. Send us an email to info@gmedicareteam.com and we can connect you to an agent in PA familiar with the UPMC plans.
It seems that the BCBS Advantage Plan in my state considers any provider in the "National Medicare Advantage" network as "in network". Is that common? It would seem that this eliminates one of main drawbacks to an Advantage Plan, since I see very many providers / hospitals in other states in the "National Medicare Advantage" network. Am I missing anything here?
That is a fairly common benefit with Medicare Advantage plans nowadays (especially with PPO plans). Of course, networks can change in the future, but you aren't missing anything.
If he can qualify for a Medigap plan, often the kidney foundation will help pay the cost of premiums, so that would be my first suggestion: www.kidneyfund.org/get-assistance/health-insurance-premium-program-hipp If he is not eligible for a Medigap plan through being new to Medicare or Guarantee Issue, he should consider a Medicare Advantage plan with his providers in-network and one that has a low overall maximum out of pocket limit.
If you want zero co-pays and no out-of-pocket except for Plan B deductible everything else is covered 100%. This guy doesn't know what he's talking about when it comes to playing G. Government and private insurance company has no say. The insurance companies cannot change your policy and government once you sign your name and it will stay that way for life. The only thing is every year it does go up to 3%. This guy is trying to sell you advantage policy because that's where the insurance company makes the big bucks. And Plan G they are paid very little
for part B based on income. Is it adjusted every year depending on income or set at the start? I'm turning 65 and under the 206K joint but maybe not in the years to come.
@@ryanl6722 They always initially look at your income from 2 years in the past. You don't get to choose, but you can request a new determination if your current income is now lower than the income from 2 years ago due to a life changing event. We talk about it in more detail in this podcast episode in case that helps! www.buzzsprout.com/1830444/10444523
The lack of vision and hearing benefits with Medigsp is a deal breaker for me. The low cost Advantage plans can really be a problem if you get really sick. But I have a very high price Advantage plan at $167 a month and its very comprehensive. Basically like my group employee coverage but better. This insurance company also offers low price plans but I shows this one. It is well worth the cost.
I went with Medigap Plan N with added vision and dental. My cost is$65 less than you are paying for your Advantage plan. My network is the US and its territories. Also if my Dr recommends a course of action I don’t need prior authorization. In other words I am in charge of my care, not an insurance company. I can switch to an Advantage plan at anytime if things change.
Really great presentation and informative! it is helped me understand the differences between the two options better. The slides are very helpful as well. However, presenter speaks too fast for me to keep up ~ slow it down a little and it would be perfect.
Well youtube won't allow me to elaborate on my previous comment. People retiring with 200k in annual income are not watching this video. That might be 0.01% of retirees. Then there are real people who have busted their tails all of their lives and then get screwed by this monstrosity of a train-wreck. I'm there and in the middle of the train-wreck. We'll be fine, but if you create a system that generates yet another industry (medicare consultants) you did something very, very wrong. 4:17 is your clue. The government outsourced your healthcare. 5:00 - the HMO / PPO description. This part just angers me. For the past 30 years from employer to employer ALL OF MY HEALTHCARE COVERAGE has been in a PPO plan. I did 5 years or so on Kaiser as a personal healthcare plan, then Obama made the system worse, tripled my rates and had to drop them. The fact of the matter is that MOST Americans are on PPO plans, so pointing this out is sort of a "duh" moment. It just doesn't matter.
While it's true that most people with employer coverage are enrolled in a PPO, that's not the case for those with Medicare Advantage, so it's always good to bring this up in my opinion! Also, brokers exist in basically every insurance market, so I wouldn't say it's a sign of failure, but definitely a sign that it is too confusing. The alternative would be giving consumers no choices for coverage, which probably isn't a good solution either. Either way, thanks for watching and for the comments!
Due to cost reasons I had to switch this year from a PPO to a HMO and it's been absolutely terrible. Also one of the reasons the healthcare sucks in the US is because of corporations owning the Health Insurance Markets. Then Big Hospitals and Doctors rejecting the insurance is another issue. I have been living through this nightmare going on 2 years now. Setting on a waiting list to see a specialist. Also got released from Hospital after a stay in ICU just to find out the hospital was not accepting Aetna. The entire system is broken.
"Only you will know the answers to these questions" ... nice disclaimer, but unless you have a crystal ball you won't know the answers to the questions. Informative video though!
You could just leave up all of your informative charts while you’re talking. You go by them so fast and on devices screens dim on pause so you can’t read them. If you could leave them up for like 15 seconds that would make the video much better. Also talks too fast making me unlikely to watch his other content
With Giardini's help, my husband and I went with a Medigap G plan. We started it Jan 2023 and have no regrets. We're pretty healthy, but thinking about down the road, it seemed like the right plan for us. There is a lot to think about when first getting started on Medicare and having to choose a plan, but these videos can be very helpful.
This was a great video. Thanks for the excellent information and well-delivered content. Exactly what I was looking for.
Outstanding information. I’m 63 1/2 and doing my research now.
My husband was thinking ahead and enrolled us in a Medigap part G plan just before he retired. 15 days in 2023 after our plan went into effect he was sent by Ambulance to the ER where he was diagnosed with AFIB and had 3 heart procedures in as many months. I had triple bypass surgery in February 2024 and we never received one single bill for any of it. Best decision we ever made.
Very thorough discussion on this. I have Medicare a, b and d. I need to get a Medigap plan. I didn't know much about them until I viewed your discussion. Thanks.
Glad it helped!
I wish you had taken a shot at estimating the two Medigapl procedures with the Advantage plans too for a head to head
Too much to squeeze into this video, but I will definitely be doing a more thorough cost comparison in the future
I will be 65 in Dec. I am currently asking questions. Medigap vs UPMC Advantage. I've asked several people in passing and they say UPMC Advantage is the way to go. I did talk with a PA Medi and he is trying to steer me to Medigap. I plugged my meds in at Goodrx and 'm seeing $10 but UPMC shows 0% for my generics. So I doubt I'll signup on Goodrx. Am I moving in the right direction? I am currently on SS at $1300 a month.
Hi Eric, sorry, but we can't give a specific answer about which plan is right for you without having a conversation over the phone. Send us an email to info@gmedicareteam.com and we can connect you to an agent in PA familiar with the UPMC plans.
@@GiardiniMedicare I am one to talk to strangers. I've gotten the same response Medicare Advantage.
If your income is limited, you may prefer Medicare advantage.
It seems that the BCBS Advantage Plan in my state considers any provider in the "National Medicare Advantage" network as "in network". Is that common? It would seem that this eliminates one of main drawbacks to an Advantage Plan, since I see very many providers / hospitals in other states in the "National Medicare Advantage" network. Am I missing anything here?
That is a fairly common benefit with Medicare Advantage plans nowadays (especially with PPO plans). Of course, networks can change in the future, but you aren't missing anything.
My dad is on dialysis and the financial team for transplants told us he needs a 2nd insurance. He only has medicare A and B. What do you recommend
If he can qualify for a Medigap plan, often the kidney foundation will help pay the cost of premiums, so that would be my first suggestion: www.kidneyfund.org/get-assistance/health-insurance-premium-program-hipp
If he is not eligible for a Medigap plan through being new to Medicare or Guarantee Issue, he should consider a Medicare Advantage plan with his providers in-network and one that has a low overall maximum out of pocket limit.
If you want zero co-pays and no out-of-pocket except for Plan B deductible everything else is covered 100%. This guy doesn't know what he's talking about when it comes to playing G. Government and private insurance company has no say. The insurance companies cannot change your policy and government once you sign your name and it will stay that way for life. The only thing is every year it does go up to 3%. This guy is trying to sell you advantage policy because that's where the insurance company makes the big bucks. And Plan G they are paid very little
for part B based on income. Is it adjusted every year depending on income or set at the start? I'm turning 65 and under the 206K joint but maybe not in the years to come.
Good question. Yes, it is adjusted every year using your income from 2 years in the past. For example, in 2025 your 2023 income would be considered.
@@GiardiniMedicare I heard you can choose what year they use to set the charge. Is that only for the first year?
@@ryanl6722 They always initially look at your income from 2 years in the past. You don't get to choose, but you can request a new determination if your current income is now lower than the income from 2 years ago due to a life changing event. We talk about it in more detail in this podcast episode in case that helps! www.buzzsprout.com/1830444/10444523
The lack of vision and hearing benefits with Medigsp is a deal breaker for me.
The low cost Advantage plans can really be a problem if you get really sick. But I have a very high price Advantage plan at $167 a month and its very comprehensive. Basically like my group employee coverage but better. This insurance company also offers low price plans but I shows this one. It is well worth the cost.
Thanks for the perspective! The lack of extra benefits is a deal breaker for a lot of people when it comes to Medigap plans.
I went with Medigap Plan N with added vision and dental. My cost is$65 less than you are paying for your Advantage plan. My network is the US and its territories. Also if my Dr recommends a course of action I don’t need prior authorization. In other words I am in charge of my care, not an insurance company. I can switch to an Advantage plan at anytime if things change.
@@rcharned4753 wow -- so low -- just $65 for plan N ? I am paying $105 for Plan N in New Jersey and for the dental plan $37
@@rcharned4753 What company offers a plan N with dental for $102?
At what age does part G become unaffordable? It is a great plan but premiums go up faster the older we get.
Definitely depends on what someone considers "affordable."
People saying he needs to slow down. This is true, but you can control the playback speed by clicking on the wheel icon.
Really great presentation and informative! it is helped me understand the differences between the two options better. The slides are very helpful as well. However, presenter speaks too fast for me to keep up ~ slow it down a little and it would be perfect.
Thanks for watching and for the feedback! RUclips does allow you to slow down the video speed in case that helps!
You present really well. What about a breakdown analysis of each pro and con?
Well youtube won't allow me to elaborate on my previous comment.
People retiring with 200k in annual income are not watching this video. That might be 0.01% of retirees. Then there are real people who have busted their tails all of their lives and then get screwed by this monstrosity of a train-wreck. I'm there and in the middle of the train-wreck. We'll be fine, but if you create a system that generates yet another industry (medicare consultants) you did something very, very wrong.
4:17 is your clue. The government outsourced your healthcare.
5:00 - the HMO / PPO description. This part just angers me. For the past 30 years from employer to employer ALL OF MY HEALTHCARE COVERAGE has been in a PPO plan. I did 5 years or so on Kaiser as a personal healthcare plan, then Obama made the system worse, tripled my rates and had to drop them. The fact of the matter is that MOST Americans are on PPO plans, so pointing this out is sort of a "duh" moment. It just doesn't matter.
While it's true that most people with employer coverage are enrolled in a PPO, that's not the case for those with Medicare Advantage, so it's always good to bring this up in my opinion!
Also, brokers exist in basically every insurance market, so I wouldn't say it's a sign of failure, but definitely a sign that it is too confusing. The alternative would be giving consumers no choices for coverage, which probably isn't a good solution either.
Either way, thanks for watching and for the comments!
Due to cost reasons I had to switch this year from a PPO to a HMO and it's been absolutely terrible. Also one of the reasons the healthcare sucks in the US is because of corporations owning the Health Insurance Markets. Then Big Hospitals and Doctors rejecting the insurance is another issue. I have been living through this nightmare going on 2 years now. Setting on a waiting list to see a specialist. Also got released from Hospital after a stay in ICU just to find out the hospital was not accepting Aetna. The entire system is broken.
Guy needs to slow down. Talks way too fast. Come up for air
That's just how I talk🤷♂Thanks for the feedback
RUclips provides an optional Playback Speed at the Settings symbol
@@GiardiniMedicare lol, if you want him to slow down just hold his hands ;) Messing with you Giardini.
@@cgilleybsw Not moving my hands would be as hard as talking slower😅 Can't have the last name Giardini without some Italian mannerisms!
He’s got 10 minutes. 😮😂
"Only you will know the answers to these questions" ... nice disclaimer, but unless you have a crystal ball you won't know the answers to the questions. Informative video though!
True. None of us know the future... At least I don't think anyone does😅
You could just leave up all of your informative charts while you’re talking. You go by them so fast and on devices screens dim on pause so you can’t read them. If you could leave them up for like 15 seconds that would make the video much better. Also talks too fast making me unlikely to watch his other content
Thanks for the feedback! I'll keep trying to improve
I will never get advantage. I have received 100's of scam calls gor advantage. Wait till you turn 65, 200's of scam calls!!!!°😢😢😢😢
There are a ridiculous number of calls when you turn 65! Hope they stop soon for you.
I slowed the speed to 50% and it was still too fast
Speak SLOWER!!!
Listen faster....
Gezzy slow down when you talk.
Just change play back speed to .75
Didn't understand a thing he talks way too fast
You're not wrong
RUclips allows you to reduce or increase the speed of the video, or you can replay the part you didn't understand.
@@asterixky True! Also, the way I speak simply isn't for everyone and that's okay.
@@GiardiniMedicare I understand very well, I have the same issue. Keep up the great work. Thank you
Why don’t you talk faster Beavis
Will do!
What? Are you in some "little bus" situation? Duh...