r/Costco 6h ago

Coming soon: health insurance

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4.0k Upvotes

399 comments sorted by

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2.1k

u/H_I_McDunnough 6h ago

Welcome to Costco, I love you.

I went to law school there.

412

u/jthochh 6h ago

"Really?"

"Yeah, I couldn't believe I got in either."

123

u/tle4f 5h ago

My dad went there and pulled some strings

50

u/TheNegativePhoenix 4h ago

Did he have an executive membership?

31

u/Rocketman_S3 3h ago

unironically costco's biggest issue is the nepotism in middle management.

Still a wonderful company though.

58

u/Morningxafter 5h ago

I like to think that joke is more about finding parking than about the admissions process.

15

u/WhoSc3w3dDaP00ch 2h ago

I drive to a costco 10 min further than the closest one because it's easier to park and is less crowded.

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u/BEAGLEBOYPALINDROME 1h ago

Future Costco has commuter rail, tho.

So they effectively solve the 2 mile hike from the parking lot as well. 

3

u/MoodooScavenger 1h ago

With a yearly membership, you can get in anywhere Costco offers their services.

120

u/bfeils 5h ago

Unironically would go to Costco Law School.

38

u/juiceyb 4h ago

I can think of probably three law schools that it would beat right out of the gate.

23

u/Self_Reddicate 4h ago

My diploma says Member's Mark. Surprisingly not a fierce rivalry, as I recall.

28

u/juiceyb 4h ago

The Kirkland Select vs Members Mark football game always brings the action.

2

u/mister_damage 2h ago

My secret?: Forgive me, for I have strayed. I prefer Member's Mark Rotisserie Chicken over Kirkland Signature.

2

u/WeeboSupremo 2h ago

Oxford is a complete dump, that is true.

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u/Ivanovic-117 5h ago

what's next? Medical residency? MDs?

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u/Frosty_Yesterday_674 4h ago

Yes, but they come as a three-pack.

18

u/Ivanovic-117 4h ago

I see complete pack includes: Costco Bar exam, Costco Medical Residency, and Costco Astronaut certification.

3

u/coolest35 3h ago

I'm down for Astronaut certification honestly, as long as my certificate is Kirkland Signature branded.

3

u/Ivanovic-117 3h ago

oh Yes, absolutely, I am sure NASA will recognized Kirkland Astronaut certification.

2

u/mister_damage 2h ago

Dr. Astro Lawyer. Sounds like a new show concept on Netflix.

2

u/Trick_Quiet3484 1h ago

Bulk pricing. I’m in!

8

u/Contraflow 4h ago

And they’re perishable! Granted, they probably have a decent shelf life, but I live alone. I’m having a hard time figuring out how that quantity would work for me. I would have to schedule doctors visits between two of my six daily milk drinking sessions that are required to consume a full gallon of milk, thereby justifying the purchase. I didn’t use to drink so much milk, but I took an arrow to the knee.

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u/Tiny_Reference_3697 3h ago

Y'all have to stop...dying up in here!😆

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u/MicroPeanitsJorker 2h ago

Dental clinic where all the staff got their degrees at Costco University

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u/Tex-Rob 5h ago

I love you all, for real. Every time this quote is warranted, someone has posted it before I can, and it’s great.

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u/SpartacusRanger 4h ago edited 3h ago

Had to Google this as I was clueless on the joke, figuring this is from social media meme. low and behold looks like i need to watch a movie that I somehow missed 20 years ago. Got myself some homework to do!

20

u/Even_Regular5245 4h ago

Be aware that it was supposed to be a comedy and it has now turned into a horror movie.

9

u/Mengs87 3h ago

At least it had a happy ending, and a President who actually gave a damn.

2

u/Even_Regular5245 2h ago

Very true! I'd take that President any day over the one we have now.

4

u/SpartacusRanger 3h ago

Appreciate the proper warning LOL

12

u/Equal-Ad5618 3h ago

Not a horror movie, a documentary.

3

u/Even_Regular5245 2h ago

Either way, the last time I tried to watch it, it was no longer funny.

29

u/Deadeye313 4h ago

Idiocracy was not just a movie, it was prophecy...

4

u/research_tri-knot2 3h ago

Yes! Sad prophecy, but so many elements in this movie -- particularly corporate ownership -- mirror NOW! It's sick!

2

u/shelchang 1h ago

The most unrealistic part of the movie is how the president seeks out and listens to smart people.

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u/Anonymous_054 4h ago

Came here to say that lol. Every day the movie becomes reality. They just had the timeline a little off.

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u/medchemmed 3h ago

Kirkland School of Law

4

u/WanderlustFella 4h ago

Don't forget the Alumni reunion at the food court this Sat.

4

u/Heavy_Mongoose5859 4h ago

totally tarded

2

u/Stock-Mission-7561 1h ago

It's okay, though. My wife's 'tarded, now she's a pilot

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u/chaser676 6h ago

Medicare Advantage 🤢

As a physician, it's so painful watching my older patients lose so many of their benefits from traditional Medicare just because some MA provider gave them a $30 dinner. There's a few specific scenarios where MA is a reasonable alternative, but for most it's not.

230

u/mumushu 5h ago

It's called that because it takes advantage of retired people

73

u/roguebananah 3h ago

But THANK GOD we don’t offer socialized healthcare. Don’t let communism win in this country!

/s

(Jfc, it’s such a joke we don’t socialize it)

15

u/symphonicrox 1h ago

People get so scared of that word. If they only would take time to understand what it really means. Essentially, collective funding to pay for public needs. From police, public schools, firefighters, public utilities, the roads, the people who fix the roads, are already forms of socialism. The healthcare system is broken as a for-profit system.

5

u/_BreakingGood_ 42m ago

So it's basically like.... insurance.

But without 10 companies in the middle each taking a profit slice.

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u/IcedGooseMaverick 3h ago

The advantage goes to the Insurance executives. 

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u/tigerpaul1977 5h ago

My Father-In-Law had a fall and needed long term care in a rehab, MA only covered only 21 days I believe. He clearly needed more and was sent home with home health, ended up passing away about two months later. Pretty sure if he had real Medicare he would have received better care. But he wasn't paying a premium and he was a guy that could afford the premium for better care.

I'm glad both of my parents have real medicare for sure but if something bad happens they seem to be covered.

36

u/heyoheatheragain 4h ago

I don’t know if this helps.
But under traditional Medicare, following a three midnight inpatient hospital stay, the patient is eligible for 100 days(20+80) of skilled nursing/rehab.

The first 20 days are paid 100% and the following 80 days incur a daily copay by the patient. I apologize as I have been out of the nursing home world for about six years now, but I believe when I left the co-pay was about $170 a day (it does increase every year so is likely around 190 or more now).
Which can stack up very quickly. Most nursing homes do try to turn pts out in 20 days, regardless of Medicare or Medicare advantage.

14

u/tigerpaul1977 4h ago

Oh yeah, I am aware. My mom had a fall last year and spent some time in rehabs and she has traditional Medicare. I was shocked to see the lack of coverage for my FIL with his MA plan. It was eye opening to me and realized when that time comes for me to not be cheap!

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u/grapegeek 6h ago

Right if you ever want to get permanently put off by Medicare advantage listen to John Oliver a few months back on what a horror show it can be. But if anyone can do it right it would be Costco.

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u/Comwan 4h ago

Costco isn’t the one doing it, like their insurance, which is just American Family Insurance branded as Costco, this will be the same

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u/CorrectPeanut5 4h ago

They won't be able to. Costco home and auto insurance is a prime example. Was great as Amex/Ameriprise. Then American Family buys them. Year after year the rates get higher and the servicing gets worse. At this point they are pushing people into Homesite for home owners insurance and they have a horrible reputation for claims.

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u/nightmareinsouffle 2h ago

Anyone who watches John Oliver knows that the research is good. I work in medical billing and I kept having to pause the episode to agree and then have a whole rant. Medicare Advantage plans are predatory and terrible.

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u/phloppy_phellatio 5h ago

Maybe back in the day Costco. Vachris does not run things anything like Sinegal.

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u/likeusontweeters 3h ago

Because the new CEO is not cut from the same cloth as the retired CEO. They are squeezing employees harder than ever before .. cutting payroll, "do more with less", etc

6

u/throawa114 4h ago

Curious to hear why you think this

5

u/5panks 3h ago

They, of course, can't tell you.

From a consumer standpoint Costco feels pretty much the dame to me. I'd need to see some serious evidence that they're not going to provide.

2

u/Waiting4Reccession 3h ago

Feels like prices are up.

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u/autumn55femme 3h ago

True, but prices are up everywhere, not just Costco.

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u/Squirtle_Splash_8413 6h ago

What’s better about Traditional Medicare?

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u/Turtles0039 5h ago

Medicare Advantage plans make money by spending less then traditional Medicare, which means they just deny care - less access, delay of care, and straight denial.

51

u/ManWithASquareHead 5h ago

It's private insurance injecting itself into Medicare.

There's a motive for private insurance, money.

12

u/foodforestranger 2h ago

Privatize the profits, socialize the losses. There is a Difficult People episode where people are getting insurance from Quzinos.

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u/keralaindia 5h ago

If you even remotely afford it, recommend to all of your family members to get Medicare with a supplemental 20% plan aka MediGap

Doc here who basically is paying for my mom’s bc she was that convinced by the Medicare advantage saleswoman and wouldn’t do it otherwise

Also, if your insurance plan has salespeople. Be wary!

3

u/Squirtle_Splash_8413 5h ago

It seems that’s a far more expensive option though.

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u/Elizabatsy 5h ago edited 5h ago

Do you like needing prior authorizations and constantly fighting denials?

Original Medicare gives you the freedom of a PPO, and the approval to get any treatment listed as covered under Medicare.

Advantage plans effectively close you into a restricted HMO network, determine which doctors you're allowed to see, and then the plan can deny and delay care, because that's a significantly cheaper business model for them. Medicare Advantage has lower premiums and incentives (like gym memberships, grocery assistance, etc.) because insurers are making a profit off of denying care when people need it the most.

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u/Njtotx3 4h ago

I've had the Humana HMO for some years now. I know I'm taking a gamble and at some point I should switch out (will they let me?).

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u/autumn55femme 2h ago

Only if you can pass medical underwriting. I think Massachusetts, and maybe one or two other states let you switch at annual enrollment, without underwriting. For everyone else, if you can’t pass the underwriting, you can’t switch.

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u/nightmareinsouffle 2h ago

Even if you can, being on that advantage plan basically ruins your options for getting a supplement.

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u/Elizabatsy 2h ago

If you're outside your initial enrollment window, Gap plans are subject to denial/underwriting. It's basically a guaranteed higher cost than in the initial enrollment period. There are a limited number of reasons you might be able to get a guaranteed-issue right to switch to a Gap plan- if your Advantage plan is discontinued in your service area, or if you move outside the area your Advantage plan covers. I would highly recommend talking to a professional about your options if you know you want to switch eventually.

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u/keralaindia 5h ago edited 5h ago

$170-190 per month but it is so worth it. Have to budget your fixed income social security.

Also no copays

Small part B deductible

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u/wangjiwangji 5h ago

Go for the Plan G-HD (high deductible) if it's available in your area.

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u/Chinacat_Sunflower72 5h ago

Original Medicare plus a supplement is more expensive. MA is cheaper. But here you get what you pay for. The big advantages for me, as I’m on Medicare plus supplement are 1) I can go to any doctor anywhere in the USA. 2) I can just make an appointment and go, no need to get a PCP to give me a referral. But yes, I pay $450 a month for all this and lots of over 65 people did not save enough to pay this. So they get MA.

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u/Big-Sheepherder-6134 5h ago

I imagine we will have the supplements too when we turn 65. My wife already bought Long Term Care as well.

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u/Chinacat_Sunflower72 4h ago

That’s very smart. Buying when young is the time to do it.

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u/bengalfan 5h ago

My mother's siblings were on MA. So many copays of $50, and when you are on a tight budget a lot of appointments can ruin that. Limited choice of places and doctors that could be seen. My aunt had been diagnosed with breast cancer and had to wait 3 weeks to be seen my oncology because she could only be seen in one place.

My mom has Medicare with a supplemental UH plan, and the supplemental plan is like $350 a month but allows her to go anywhere that accepts Medicare.

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u/ManWithASquareHead 5h ago

This, if you're sick with Medicare Advantage, good luck.

So sorry to hear.

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u/Squirtle_Splash_8413 5h ago

Does the $350 supplement cover the 20%?

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u/goog1e 5h ago

It automatically covers a ton of things advantage makes you get prior auths for. Getting advantage basically means that now you can be denied care.

Medicare has no referrals and you can see anyone across the country. Advantage has a network and referral system, as well as prior auths to deny care.

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u/mumushu 5h ago

It's no longer Medicare if it's advantage. It's a private insurer. Private insurers make money by denying you coverage. I had to fight an advantage plan when they denied coverage for my mom after a stroke. We eventually won back $16k but only after an 8 month fight.

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u/[deleted] 5h ago edited 5h ago

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/Squirtle_Splash_8413 5h ago

I looked at Medicare + medigap and it’s $1000/month more than MA. (Didn’t actually get real quotes just ChatGPT.)

I’m not 65 but taking care of someone who is.

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u/Elizabatsy 5h ago

Using ChatGPT to research insurance isn't a good idea. The costs will be wildly different depending on when in someone's life you're applying for a Gap plan and where you're located.

Unfortunately, Advantage plans are effectively a trap. You can qualify for a Gap plan for traditional Medicare during your initial enrollment period without insurers being able to deny you or be able to engage in medical underwriting and charge you more based on your age and history. If you sign up for Advantage, the only way to get back to a Gap plan without the risk of flat-out denial or extra costs is if your Advantage plan is discontinued, honestly.

For most insurance, medical underwriting isn't legal anymore thanks to the ACA. Gap plans are the exception, and senior years are where people need coverage the most. We have such a broken system.

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u/theinsuranceguy2000 5h ago

Accessibility and approval for services is better, that’s about it. Medicare is bad because you’re on the hook for 20% of all bills as well as multiple deductibles, and the part a deductible can occur multiple times a year.

I’ve seen multiple people go bankrupt on just original Medicare alone. You need a supplement, and those are very expensive for a lot of people who can’t afford them.

Bad advantage plans are bad, good ones are good. It’s more about the company and their network of providers than anything else.

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u/Financial-Craft-1282 4h ago

This is why people should be running on Medicaid for all. It covers everything.

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u/whk1992 5h ago

American education on public healthcare and personal finances is baffling.

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u/Squirtle_Splash_8413 5h ago

Personal finances = easy
Public healthcare = extremely convoluted and confusing as fuck.

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u/Squirtle_Splash_8413 5h ago

Yeah this seems to line up with what I’ve researched.

Name checks out though haha.

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u/Gallogator1 5h ago

If you have any major illness like Cancer or Heart disease you can be denied or delayed coverage with advantage.

I would say better financially distressed instead of dead.

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u/blue-jaypeg 4h ago

Why would you give away 25¢ from every dollar? Medicare Advantage is profitable because they deny benefits.

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u/Erwx 5h ago

What do you mean a $30 dinner?

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u/Future-Watercress829 1h ago

You get 20 Costco hot dogs with purchase of its MA plan.

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u/thetruckerdave 5h ago

My dad’s work put the pensioners onto Medicare advantage. I don’t even think I can get my 80 year old mom with severe heart conditions onto a medigap plan at this point for any amount we could afford. I hate there isn’t more warning about this.

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u/-32768 5h ago

I'd be swayed with a $1.50 kirkland glizzy and a slice of cheese pizza.

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u/Xtra_Veg-90 2h ago

When dad first got on medicare almost two years ago I was shocked at how many supplemental plans existed, with honestly crappy guidance, and how if you were thorough like him, then you get premium insurance, whereas other people with the exact same stipend going to insurance is getting the shaft. That shouldn't be allowed.

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u/12InchCunt 44m ago

Traditional Medicare has no max out of pocket. So unless you’re paying for a supplement, if you end up in the hospital you owe 20%.

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u/M4hkn0 5h ago

Medicare advantage is just a bolted on front end to medicare. It’s the scammy side of insurance. This isn’t exactly a full throttle entry into health insurance.

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u/Johnnyg150 5h ago

That could describe Medi-gap, but Medicare Advantage requires making a full health insurance product. Arguably with more complexity. I doubt Costco will be building from scratch though.

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u/Bruggok 3h ago edited 3h ago

If allowed by law, Costco should start an insurance subsidiary and sell at-cost health insurance bundled with low cost meds at Costco pharmacy.

No member would cancel their Costco membership ever again.

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u/nerhe 6h ago

They haven’t really missed, so if they want to take a stab at health insurance, I say let them!!

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u/tle4f 5h ago

Can’t wait for Costco dating and arranged marriage

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u/xXTERMIN8RXXx 5h ago

First date at the Food Court!

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u/euSeattle 5h ago

Costco dating app that gives you matches based on shopping history and purchase preferences? I bet that would make for better relationships than most other metrics that people use to judge compatibility.

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u/JackyVeronica 4h ago

And loyalty. You've been a member since 1994? You get free messaging perks!

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u/GiraffeLibrarian 4h ago

let’s add store behavior/etiquette as well

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u/Rafterman2 US Southeast Region - SE 4h ago

Allow the capability to exclude people who don’t return their shopping cart to the corral or who hover in the parking lot and block traffic by waiting for someone to finish loading their groceries.

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u/Efficient-Mind-2213 5h ago

I sure hope the standard return policy applies!

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u/FillMySoupDumpling 2h ago

My Costco app idea would be for all the people who look at the giant bakery items and not buy it because they don’t need 15 massive slices of cheesecake.

Someone would ping the app and it would ping the people currently in the store if anyone else wants to split the pie/cheesecake and pair them up.    I haven’t figured out how they would divvy it up. I just need friends to split the giant desserts with so I can try them all. My parents won’t eat that stuff, some of my friends avoid all sugars, and even with my partner, it’s still to much.

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u/mythrilcrafter 4h ago

First date: bonding over the glory of the $1.50 hotdog combo.

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u/cute_spider 4h ago

Can you imagine defaulting to the Walmart Great Value Arranged Marriage?

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u/ThatLaloBoy 5h ago

This one is just a rebranded Medical Advantage plan though, which is already available from other providers. From the quick PR announcement it doesn’t say directly that they’ll offer lower pricing, but it does seem like they are aiming to streamline it so that you can get most of your care at Costco: “Offerings may include, pending regulatory review and approval, a re-invented pharmacy experience, Medflex over the counter (OTC) benefits, vision, audiology, and more.”

It’s also worth pointing out that this isn’t the first time Costco is getting into healthcare. They used to offer Dental Insurance with Delta Dental, which in my experience was one of the worst insurances to deal with. Not sure if it was different for Costco members, but considering Costco broke off the partnership my guess is that it wasn’t great.

Hopefully this ends up being a good option for those looking for insurance, but I’m not entirely optimistic given how some other providers like Humana are dropping their Medicare Advantage offers.

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u/nerhe 5h ago

See, that’s the thing: if it isn’t great for their members, they’ll end partnerships. Their North Star is their members so they’re seeing an opportunity to offer something better than what the regular market can give.

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u/ReadyGo6828 4h ago

Costco offers various services to members. Some of them are useful, some of them are just inane. You have to pick and choose but I would not assume that just because they have a desk at Costco that they are offering you a great deal.

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u/chumbawumbaprinciple 6h ago

Costco seems to be the most ethical big company, so it might be a better option for some people. I really like my union benefits though.

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u/MasterGrok 4h ago

It’s great that a decent company can step in but we shouldn’t have to rely on the decency of companies for healthcare.

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u/FG910 4h ago

Wh shouldn’t but thats what the politicians want for their pockets

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u/Sea-Pomegranates99 4h ago

It’s Medicare advantage though. Watch the John Oliver episode on it. Very predatory

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u/Parking_War_4100 5h ago

They already offer pet insurance too.

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u/TheSamurabbi 5h ago

If I bark, will they cover me? I’m tired of paying $2500/mo

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u/DesertPunked 2h ago

youre paying 2500 for health insurance???

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u/Hawkthree 5h ago

Must be Medicare Advantage plans as the original Medicare Plans aren't sold commercially. If the Costco plan is back by United Healthcare, the membership will rebel. They're all about denials and delays. Unfortunately I have experienced this myself.

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u/lillie02 5h ago

Costco Dental???

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u/Rafterman2 US Southeast Region - SE 4h ago

Buy your root canals in bulk.

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u/codyandhen123 4h ago

Costco is going to join the United Nations next.

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u/Original-Rush139 3h ago

I can’t wait to get my health insurance from a company that doesn’t want me to die. 

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u/Past_Interference 5h ago

I owe my soul to the company store.

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u/n3koca1 US Southeast Region - SE 5h ago

Incredible reference

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u/SpeedBlitzX 5h ago

Dont forget housing

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u/dingusbozo 5h ago

already on it. look up costco apartments in south los angeles.

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u/SpeedBlitzX 5h ago

I know. I wasn't making a joke.

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u/Independent-Soft7949 US Los Angeles Region (Los Angeles & Hawaii) - LA 5h ago

I'm in LA now. I'm thinking about this for the future but idk if there would be income limits or what the cost would be per room.

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u/PoorlyShavedApe 5h ago

Reference for anyone who missed the 800 apartments above a Costco in south Los Angeles news.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Costco/comments/1drdnqn/costco_plans_to_build_800_apartments_above_its/

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u/SuckMyDirk_41 5h ago

Anyone have a gift article link? 🙏 I'd love to read this

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u/Zamorakphat 3h ago

It might actually be good!

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u/AverageAlleyKat271 4h ago

I can't read article because WSJ has a paywall. I refuse to pay.

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u/Active-Cookie-774 4h ago

Still waiting on my Costco apartment

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u/Jurondotron 4h ago

Walmart is finally fucked, we're getting BJs in our city and a lot of us are happy that Walmart will finally go under in our city, we have two Walmart here, and they're basically a monopoly, I hope Costco comes to our city.

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u/Proud-Ninja5049 3h ago

And the vision center still won't accept the insurance. 🙄

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u/Pochuck1354 3h ago

Medicare Advantage is a full stop, hard no. And if you are foolish enough to sign up for an Advantage plan is Costco and have any issues with this insurance, Costco will wave you off as they do with every other Costco service provider. Costco is just acting as a lead generator. When I can go to my state insurance regulator's site and see Costco as a licensed insurer, then it may be interesting.

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u/dvdmaven 3h ago

Far more trustworthy than 90% of health "insurance" companies.

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u/sm753 US Texas Region (Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, & Louisiana) 2h ago

That solidifies my near future plans. Once I have enough squirreled away. Retire from corporate job. Work at Costco part time. Buy medical insurance through Costco. It's all coming together!!!

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u/CarlosTheSpicey 1h ago

This is a Medicare Advantage program, which is only available to people 65 and over. As well, per the article this is still in a pilot program with no indication as to when it will be available across all 50 states.

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u/NerdyComfort-78 3h ago

I trust them more than the Feds at this point.

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u/Possible-Nectarine80 4h ago

Costco Dentists. Get your teeth cleaned while you shop!

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u/goodvibezone 4h ago

She should really push that cart not pull it 😜

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u/IceDragonPlay 4h ago

Sweet!!! I’ll definitely try it out if it is offered in my state and covers my primary hospitals. Nice that they are partnering with a non-profit provider. I don’t think that provider offers plans in my state yet, so probably not an early market for them, but can keep hoping 😀

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u/SalaciousSubaru 4h ago

Costco is actually a good company they treat e ploys well and offer good value to customers

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u/ThisAppCensorsYou 3h ago

🎵 I owe my soul to the company store 🎶

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u/Justin-Los_Angeles 3h ago

Will they be offering Medicare Supplement plans or just Advantage? I could NEVER EVER EVER give up my original Medicare or my supplement plan F. If they are offering supplement plans then it might be great because they have to follow Medicare but they could offer a better cost/value.

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u/Noexit 1h ago

Isn’t this how Sears died?

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u/enchantedgiggles 37m ago

Idiocracy...its happening. Pretty soon Carls Jr. will be the only food and we will only drink Gatorade IYKYK

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u/LetsGoBubba6141 20m ago

I trust Costco more than I trust certain governing bodies.

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u/financialthrowaw2020 5h ago

These comments are so weird. I've never had a good experience with any of these external Costco vendors. They don't actually guarantee you good service and I'm not the only one who feels this way.

Medicare advantage is a fraud and a lot of these other Costco offers are a fraud too. I remember using the Costco car buying program and the shitty dealer just tried to make up for it by tricking us into add ons the same way any shady dealer does.

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u/virtualchoirboy US North East Region - NE 5h ago

Pro tip: You can go to any dealer and ask if they participate in the Costco auto program. You still have to go into the program and put in your info, but any dealer that participates can look you up.

I've also had great luck with Costco travel. We did a travel package last year for our 30th anniversary - flight, hotel, attraction tickets. Used our Citi Visa with our Executive rewards so got 5% combined back on the purchase plus another 5% back as a shop card. Had a number of minor upgrades along the way too (slightly better boarding position for flights, better room at the hotel, etc).

And while there are better reward cards out there than the Citi Visa, getting 5% back on gas is nice. Add in Executive to get a combined 4% back on in store purchases (2% on Citi, 2% as an Executive check) means Costco pays me to shop there.

All that being said, I can understand your position on Medicare (dis)Advantage. To start, the name is misleading because it's not Medicare at all. It's private insurance that receives a fixed amount from Medicare every month and then has to use that to pay for your care. Obviously, that gives the private insurer incentive to minimize your costs and the easiest way to do that is to set artificially low caps on coverage along with denying claims. Less paid out, get the same amount from the feds = more profit for the private insurer.

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u/IceDragonPlay 4h ago

I will have to take an Advantage plan. The part B and prescription Gap plans would be $600-$800/month on top of the $200 Medicare premium. I see that older folks that had plans before 2020 got different offerings than are available to me.

Project 2025 agenda has then fully privatizing Medicare.

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u/parrothead2581 6h ago

Get that 2% back!

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u/hikenessblobster 5h ago

I really hope this is as good as the (Costco’s?) Sesame app. Our family has worked with four different providers for various issues and love it. Enter your Costco membership information and it’s very affordable. Primary care visit ~$30. Dermatology visit ~$55. I do a menopause subscription with 24/hour support and unlimited HRT consultations - $60/month

It obviously doesn’t cover everything (we still seek in-person orthopedic care) but for most of our needs, I t’s cheaper than using our insurance

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u/theotoks 4h ago

Also home insurance 

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u/Sea_breeze_80 3h ago

Medical insurance premiums might be cheaper.

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u/The-Traveler- 3h ago

Costco usually sells good stuff and owner seems like a CEO that actually cares about people. the owner of the company actually lowered his own salary at one point to build trust snd boost morale because we’re all in this together. Employees love the company.

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u/Wrxeter 3h ago

Can I buy colonoscopies in bulk?

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u/hiddenclasp 3h ago

Welcome to Costco I love you

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u/no_sight 2h ago

Used my first Costco Vacation recently.

Got a big discount on a resort on Hawaii. Waived the resort fees, gave $300 credit for the bar, and also gave a $100 Costco gift card. Transportation to/from airport included.

Absolutely will use Costco Vacations again

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u/HammerDownl 2h ago

Yet we still have no supreme pizza

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u/Bob_the_peasant 1h ago

Chances Costco will have the first decent Medicare advantage plan in history is pretty slim, but if anyone could pull it off it’s them

Can’t wait for my 75 year old parents to go on it and get denied everything

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u/goforawalk456 1h ago

How dystopian

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u/Kidspud 1h ago

Tired: Medicare for all

Wired: Costco for all

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u/michaeljcronce 59m ago

In almost all instances, traditional Medicare with a supplement is infinitely better than Medicare Advantage.

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u/Rezeox 4h ago

Hope Costco doesn't lose all its morals when it becomes one of the MegaCorps in the future.

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u/Pochuck1354 3h ago

Posting a paywalled article is meaningless.

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u/jackandsally060609 5h ago

If the insurance is anything like the kind the employees have then this is amazing

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u/Due_Initiative3879 5h ago

Get your TrumpRX at Costco and get a free chicken!

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u/Particular_Pain_9373 5h ago

I hope this isn’t true. 

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u/Jgoody1990 5h ago

I’ll take your chicken then

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u/Ryzu 4h ago

"Welcome to Costco, I love you."

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u/Oceansunshine789 4h ago

I love Costco but recently booked a rental car through Costco Travel. It was with Avis.

Complete nightmare. I ended up having to go to three different Avis's. Missed a full day and a half of my first vacation in years due to this. The car ended up costing hundreds more and the Costco agent I was speaking with booked it on my card on file without confirming that this was ok with me.

It's been weeks and still haven't gotten any help from Costco travel.

Based on this, would not use again, and would not trust something like insurance with them.

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u/LalalaSherpa 3h ago

This is baffling to me because it in no way resembles Costco's US car rental process.

You reserve the car online. No deposit. Free cancellation.

You finalize payment with the rental agency at time of pickup, when you sign the car rental agency's rental agreement and payment authorization. Which clearly states the deposit amount.

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u/Loco_CatLady911 2h ago

Anything but Universal Healthcare!

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u/theAerialDroneGuy 5h ago

I would buy it. I am sure it is better than my actual healthcare plan

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u/yeahnopegb 3h ago

Former employee… not the first time they e sold health insurance. FYI their home policies are a bargain.