Plan G or Medicare Advantage Plan
I’m a 59 year old female and will be going on Medicare soon. Premiums are extremely high because I’m not 65. I have MS and on disability making only $2,700/month. So don’t know if I should get a Plan G with dental and vision ($375/month) or a Medicare Advantage Plan with no monthly premium. Friends are trying to steer me away from advantage plans because they’re saying I will end up dishing a lot of money out of pocket that I won’t be able to afford. Or, should I go with an advantage plan for now and then a Plan G once I turn 65 because then the premiums will be a lot lower? Also, will it be hard to switch to a Plan G after being on an advantage plan?
Terry Says
Plan G is the current best supplement to those newly qualifying. Please take advantage of Plan G — if your state allows it (and not all do). If you already have issues, you definitely do not want the Advantage plan if you can avoid it, because it limits your access to testing, physicians, hospitals, etc.
But qualifying for Medicare early while on disability is a state-by-state issue. Please read this article;
https://www.medicarefaq.com/faqs/medicare-for-disabled-individuals/
I specifically refer you to THIS section of that article:
Medigap can help cover what Medicare doesn’t cover. But if you’re under 65, it can be hard to find an affordable Medigap plan.
While some states require companies to offer at least one Medigap plan to people under age 65, others do not. In some states, Medigap plans are only available to certain types of beneficiaries, such as people with end-stage renal disease.
In several states, you can’t buy a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plan at all if you’re under 65. And rates tend to go up from one year to the next. So, Medigap can be both hard to get and expensive if you’re under 65. Often, the best solution is an Advantage plan.
When you turn 65, you’ll qualify for the Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period. Then, you can get a policy without having to answer any questions about your health.
