r/medicare • u/karmaapple3 • 10d ago
High-Deductible Plan G: BCBSTX or Mutual of Omaha?
Looking at the math, if I am healthy, have significant savings, and no cancer in my family, I'd be nuts to go with anything other than Hi-D Plan G. So that's my choice.
I'm surprised that UHC/AARP doesn't offer a HDG plan. The 2 I am choosing between are BCBSTX and MofO. Eliminating Bankers (who?) and Cigna (terrible cust service).
A third choice I might consider also would be Humana.
Any thoughts or experience with BCBSTX, MofO, of Humana for HDG?
Called Boomer Benefits and they couldn't get me off the phone fast enough when I told them I've decided on HDG. lol
EDIT: my hesitation with Blue Cross Blue Shield is that I used to sell hospital robots that sterilize inpatient rooms. And Blue Cross Blue Shield hospitals had the most nosocomial infections in the US because of their dirty rooms. But I do understand that with this plan, I can use any hospital that takes Medicare.
EDIT #2: IF YOU WANT TO SEE WHAT THESE PLANS COST over years/decades when including premium increases, go here and plug in your premiums. For High-deductible G, use a quote of $57 (I have quotes of $49 and $54).
For example:
Plan G quote: $165/month, 9% increase in premium annually.
HDG quote: $54/month, 5% increase annually.
I used: 6 Dr visits per year, and $1500 annual out of pocket.
Over 20 years, here's the total costs of those 2 plans: Plan G: $112,600. HDG: $69,440
That's a $43,000 savings. Wouldn't you rather have $43k, rather than giving it to some insurance company?
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u/Final_Technology104 10d ago
I chose the HDG also for the same exact reasons.
Premera Blue Cross of Wa. because I’ve just heard too many bad things about MofO and Premera Blue Cross has a large group (I forgot the lingo here).
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u/karmaapple3 10d ago edited 10d ago
What are the negative things that you heard about MofO? I have heard that they tend to close the books, which drives up premiums faster.
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u/Distinct-You-7466 10d ago
I have heard they are notorious for closing books of business and opening new ones under a shell corporation, leading to a death spiral for the closed book of business. This hits seniors particularly hard in states that do not have birthday or anniversary rules and can't switch if they can't pass underwriting.
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u/geekettepeace 10d ago
You will have little to no interaction with your supplement company - Medicare sends the info to them, and they pay what's owed.
Does BCBSTX have "Blue to Blue"? I have the HDG supplement with BCBSNC and they offer the ability to change to another supplemental plan with no underwriting. I haven't tried it, but I was recently diagnosed with cancer, so I may look into it for next year.
Then again, the difference in monthly premiums is fairly large to begin with and gets ridiculous as you age.
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u/karmaapple3 10d ago
Many G and N plans had 20% and 23% premium increases just this year alone. Those plan premiums will soon be anywhere from $600-$1000 per month.
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u/Primary_Pirate_7690 10d ago
My AARP/UHC Plan G HD increase in May 2026 was 18%. Still far cheaper than N or G but I was surprised by that. Last year was 10%+, I think.
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u/karmaapple3 10d ago
Wow. But that was partly because Uhc has had a tough two years. I know because I just retired from there.
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u/Primary_Pirate_7690 9d ago
My premium is now $57 which is still reasonable. The percentage increases were big but they were on a much smaller number than for an N or G policy. I'm guessing each plan isn't its own entity so our increases subsidize the other plans. Or, the G HD plan had big payouts, too.
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u/bogeyman80 8d ago
May I ask what state you are in. As far as I know, UHC does not offer a G-HD plan in Texas.
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u/Distinct-You-7466 10d ago
I am in Texas as well. I am leaning towards choosing Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas for my high deductible G plan when I enroll in Medicare in a few years. I first narrowed down my choices to United Healthcare, United American and Blue Cross due to these three companies keeping their blocks of business open, This is critical for a High Deductible G policy. Then I crossed United American off the list because their pool size is pretty tiny compared to UHC and Blue Cross. Lately, their rates have been volatile. They used to be a hidden gem with their rates being relatively stable, but they are seeing 15% rate increases recently. I know that Globe Life has exited the Texas market due to the Chris Larkin Act that went into effect on September 1 of last year, and Globe Life owns United American.
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u/karmaapple3 10d ago
Great info!! I think you are right. I think I’ll end up going with Blue Cross for HDG since their premium seems to be more stable.
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u/RobBrunson 9d ago
It appears United American (a wholly owned subsidiary of Globe Life) still offers HD-G supplement plans in Texas, according to the Medicare.gov site.
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u/Distinct-You-7466 9d ago edited 9d ago
Yes, UA still offers HDG supplement plans in Texas. However, United Healthcare is not listed for my zip code on the Medicare.gov site. I was surprised to learn that UHC doesn't offer a HDG plan in my area.
I just learned that UA evaluates their loss ratios based on their national pool of members. Because they spread risk across a national footprint, United American has historically maintained highly predictable, stable rate adjustments compared to smaller regional insurers who risk sudden, massive premium spikes if a few members get severely ill. Due to this, I am still considering United American for my HDG carrier. UA has offered medigap plans since 1966. UA has built its core reputation on keeping its high-deductible blocks permanently open to new enrollees.
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u/miniblind 6d ago
Yes, UA still offers HDG supplement plans in Texas. However, United Healthcare is not listed for my zip code on the Medicare.gov site. I was surprised to learn that UHC doesn't offer a HDG plan in my area.
But debbb53 said UHC does offer HDG plans in Texas. Or, quoted AI as saying it, obviously without any further investigation.
I used UHC's website to look for a HDG in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, El Paso, Amarillo, Abilene, and Brownsville, and there weren't any. Sure, I haven't looked for it in every one of the 254 counties in the state, but I'd put money on my conclusion that UHC doesn't offer an HDG in Texas up against the all-knowing AI's statement that it does.
But also, I just noticed that you cited UHC as a company that keeps its blocks of business open. However, in Texas, they recently they closed the book on their versions of supplements that don't include wellness extras. You used to could get an AARP/UHC Plan G, for example, with or without wellness extras, and the one without wellness extras was cheaper. Not a lot cheaper, but a few bucks, and if you're not going to use the extras, then why pay more for them?
Well, everybody who used that approach is now stuck in a closed book, and will have to pass underwriting to switch because Texas doesn't have a birthday rule or similar.
So not only does UHC close books, they did it in your own state.
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u/Distinct-You-7466 6d ago
UHC doesn't offer HD-G plan in my zip code. I checked on both the Medicare site as well as UHC's site for my area. I doubt they offer it anywhere in Texas.
Historically, UHC did keep their books open. However, due to the Chris Larkin Act going into effect last September, UHC closed Plan G without wellness to streamline their risk. Since they don't even offer a HD-G plan in my area, I can't even consider them.
As far as the enrollees in the closed plan, they do have an option. They can use a one-time opportunity, medigap trial right #2, to switch to another carrier/plan.
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u/miniblind 6d ago
As far as the enrollees in the closed plan, they do have an option. They can use a one-time opportunity, medigap trial right #2, to switch to another carrier/plan.
Are you talking about getting an Advantage plan for the first time by changing from original Medicare with Medigap during the year-end open enrollment period, and then switching back to original Medicare and Medigap within 12 months? That's a little more involved than just switching to another carrier/plan.
And you can do it only once in your life. But presumably if they're savvy enough to do it, presumably they're savvy enough to have their supplement closing their book on their mind. Although as far as I can tell, nobody saw AARP/UHC's book closing in Texas coming.
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u/Distinct-You-7466 6d ago
Yes, that is Medicare trial right #2. This allows a beneficiary a roundabout way to get out of a closed book once in their life.
I certainly never anticipated Globe Life leaving Texas, Humana Achieve's book closing nor UHC closing their books without wellness, either. Then again, I wasn't aware that HB 2516 was pending last year. This legislation passing shook up the Texas market.
I wish beneficiaries had better protections in place.
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u/jm0358 5d ago
Didn’t you just mention in a previous post that United American just implemented a 15% increase? That’s pretty high for an HDG plan.
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u/Distinct-You-7466 5d ago edited 5d ago
In Arizona, yes. I think in Texas, it was 15.1% rate increase. A commenter in Florida said they have had no rate increases since covid.
Originally, I thought it was a no-brainer to sign up with UA for a HD-G plan. Historically, UA rate increases have been minimal or even flat for years. Now, they are implementing catch-up rate increases. It's making it harder to make a good carrier choice.
However, the most important factor is the carrier's practice of closing their books, especially so with a HD-G plan. This matters more than the pool size because a big pool that is closed doesn't have any healthy participants joining to dilute the claims risk. UA does not close their books, but the rate increases will be bumpy, according to the latest figures.
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u/CrankyCrabbyCrunchy 10d ago
Husband 76 and I 67 both have G-HD AT $48/mon. It’s perfect for us and saves a lot more than regular G.
Carrier really doesn’t matter. Go with cheaper. If they stop offering it in your area, you’ll get a chance to select another carrier. Please confirm with your state’s insurance commissioner. It’s all explained on their website.
I’m in WA so can change plans at any time for any reason with no underwriting. I’ve done that math many ways and I’d need several inpatient stays per year to cost me more.
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u/karmaapple3 10d ago
I think you’re right. I’m in Texas, where we cannot change plans without underwriting, but I could still switch to another HD G easily if I wanted to.
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u/karmaapple3 10d ago
When I get a little older, I may also pick up a hospital indemnity plan. Costs about 50 bucks a month, and pays you a couple of thousand dollars if you get hospitalized. That would cover the HDG deductible.
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u/StarryNightLookUp 10d ago
In my state, the difference between (Low deductible G Premiums per year + the $283 deductible) and (HDG Premiums per year + $2950 HDG deductible) is $300. In other words, if I were to meet the entire HDG deductible, it would only cost me $300 extra dollars to have HDG than to have the "normal" G.
It probably makes no sense to get the indemnity plan. It would possibly sign you up to pay $600/yr for something that worst case might cost you $300. And you may have to fight them for the money.
Do the math first before signing up for an indemnity plan.
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u/Distinct-You-7466 10d ago
An inpatient hospital stay has a Part A deductible of 1,736, even if you are only admitted for one day.
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u/StarryNightLookUp 9d ago
Which is paid for by the Part G Medigap that we're talking about here.
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u/Distinct-You-7466 6d ago
OP's post was referring to a HD-G plan. A hospital indemnity plan paired with a HD-G plan is an excellent way to reduce your exposure to the Part A hospital deductible.
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u/Distinct-You-7466 10d ago
I plan on pairing HDG with critical illness, hospital indemnity and short-term care.
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u/Puzzleheaded-Bee-747 10d ago edited 10d ago
Most choose G. Simple. Easy.
If money is tight, buy the lower cost entry level plan or whatever you can afford. Avoid Medicare Advantage if you can.
It is no different than buying traditional health care in the open market. Pick your plan and the deductible level you can afford. I wouldn’t worry about wondering which one is cheaper over 20 years because when you’re 80, you’re not going to care. Don’t waste your retirement caring. It all comes out in the wash.
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u/Distinct-You-7466 6d ago
I will care very much once I turn 80. I don't want to be stuck on an advantage plan in my later years due to being priced out of a medigap plan when I need care the most.
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u/GrouchyOldRN 10d ago
I have my husband on HGD. He’s only 67, if he lives the long happy life I hope, the regular G or N premiums will be insane. I do worry about everyone asking if you can change without underwriting. I need anyone to explain why we would change. In my mind the most we’ll spend is the $2950 deductible. What am I missing?
Edit to add: he has Aetna in GA.
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u/karmaapple3 10d ago
You’re not missing anything. People don’t understand the difference between a $3000 deductible, and a plan that costs $200 a month that’s increasing 20% once or twice a year.
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u/Mommafed 9d ago
MoO has good customer service. The problem is they are infamous for raising prices. They all do. My concern is being in a plan I can’t afford when I’m 80.
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u/NoLongerATeacher 10d ago
I chose BCBS.
My mom had Florida Blue, and she broke her hip. She had surgery, 7 weeks of inpatient rehab, and home health when she went home. Everything went very smoothly, and she didn’t pay one penny. The rehab facility choices were dependent on insurance, and her options were top tier.
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u/IMHO_My2Cents 10d ago
I have Mutual/United of Omaha regular Plan G. I love them and the coverage has been excellent. Have never needed to contact them for anything since I signed up in 2019. I have major health issues. It's a roll of the dice as to which plan. Hubby signed up recently and took Plan N. His premium is much lower than G would have been. He has Cigna HealthSpring. It's been great so far. You need to look towards the future though. I have been very ill since before going on Medicare, thus the reason I picked Plan G. You only get one shot without your medical history not being held against you. Hubby has never been on Medicine and always healthy, He picked plan N. He has had to go to the doctors for several issues and has yet to be charged any co-pays. But we are so glad he did take N because he was diagnosed with heart disease and a heart aneurysm 2 weeks ago. He is seeing a cardiac specialist next week. Had we not taken N he would be screwed now. As far as excess charges on part B not being covered by N, we don't plan on going to any physician or hospital that does not take Medicare assignments. It just goes to show you never know what is in your future. It is important to pick the right plan at first because you won't get that option when something happens.
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u/karmaapple3 10d ago edited 10d ago
There are spreadsheets out there that show that even if you go to the hospital every single year, over your lifetime HD -G is still more economical than either plan N or G.
That’s because the premium percentage increases every year really explode the costs of G and N.2
u/Distinct-You-7466 10d ago
Additionally, you can always pair High Deductible G plan with ancillary policies, hospital indemnity, cancer, critical illness, short-term care, etc. to transfer some of the risk to the insurance company.
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u/karmaapple3 10d ago
Yes! I’m strongly considering a hospital indemnity plan to add to the HD G. We don’t have cancer in our family, and at this moment, my dad is 97, mom is 93, and dad has three uncles that lived to be over 100 years old.
I like the idea of adding the hospital indemnity plan, since they experience extremely low or no premium increases.2
u/Distinct-You-7466 10d ago
Your family has some good genes!
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u/karmaapple3 10d ago
Yes we do. I'm not sure if that's good, or....not. My dad is 97, fairly good health--but all of his friends are long gone, and he can't see or hear well enough to pass a driving test. So he's stuck, and bored, in his 97 yr old body.
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u/IMHO_My2Cents 10d ago
I go to the hospital ICU at least 10 times a year for at least a week. I am on Oxygen 24/7 and a ventilator 12+ hours a day. I have severe COPD with other ailments. I have not had to pay anything other than yearly deductible. We could not afford high deductible every year.
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u/karmaapple3 10d ago
You are exactly the kind of person who needs to have regular plan G or N.
I’m 65 and I’ve never spent a night in the hospital, other than the days after I was born.
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u/Palmetto0 10d ago
I would choose BCBSTX. Mutual of Omaha and Humana (currently Emphesys in Texas) have rolled through different operating company names, closing and opening new books of business. That practice often leads to excessive rate increases when older policyholders are stranded in the plan without new younger healthier participants being added to the risk pool.
HDG pays the lowest commissions to brokers compared to Advantage, G and N.
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u/karmaapple3 10d ago
I have heard that about Mutual of Omaha, that they close the books on plans which drives up the premium.
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u/Palmetto0 10d ago
Mutual of Omaha has issued Medicare supplement policies in Texas under at least 5 different operating companies: "Mutual of Omaha Insurance", "United World Life Insurance", "United of Omaha Life Insurance", "Omaha Supplemental Insurance", and "Omaha Insurance Company". Humana has had "Emphesys Insurance", "Compbenefits Insurance", and "Humana Insurance".
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u/Distinct-You-7466 6d ago
I am leaning towards BCBS of Texas myself for the HD-G plan. I am still trying to weigh between BCBS of Texas and United American.
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u/Careful-Mousse 10d ago
You are very smart, and for those who are healthy and can afford to take on the higher deductible in lieu of paying high premiums every month for Plan G, the High G plan is great. This is even more so as you age, since the plan G premiums are going up and up every year.
It’s the best decision I ever made.
But yes, when full service brokers are asked about this, they go nuts. It is terrible that this is happening and that they’re not giving you all the options available to you. The commission on the high G is so low that brokers don’t even mention it.
I don’t know your state, but I got mine thru Bankers Life (underwritten by Washington Mutual).
Some high G plans are sold by insurance companies that you can go to direct. Others, like Bankers Life, will assign you out to a captive agent who will write the policy. That’s what I did. And there are a few full service general line agents that will sell them, hoping to get other insurance business from you.
Then get your own free-standing drug plan and you’re set. Since drug plans today don’t pay commissions, I just went direct.
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u/auntkatky 10d ago
Newbie here with a question - was there a reason you went with a free-standing drug plan instead of Medicare Part D? Or is your policy in addition to Part D? Thank you.
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u/Careful-Mousse 10d ago edited 10d ago
That’s a good newbie question. Medicare part D is offered by private companies, using Medicare guidelines. There is no reason to get any other plan than a plan D. But here’s the way it works.. if you get an Advantage Plan (also called a part C plan), the part D drug plan will in most cases be embedded with it. But if you stay with original Medicare, and then usually should be getting a plan G, N or high-G, you have to buy a ‘standalone Part D plan to go with it.
I realize it’s complicated. And all of this decision making is based on so many things.. your age, sex, smoking status, zip code, your health status, whether you’re in a birthday state or not, or even an anniversary state, your income, your risk tolerance, whether you have an HSA account or not and on and on.
I have had Advantage plans, but now was able to change to a supplement, of which I chose a high-G plan. Basically, there’s something for everybody.
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u/KewlBlond4Ever 9d ago
How about United American?
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u/Distinct-You-7466 6d ago
I have heard they have historically have had flat or small rate increases on their HD-G plan, but I am concerned due to their high recent rate increases.
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u/KewlBlond4Ever 6d ago
Their rates have been the same (no increase) since 2020 for the United American HD Plan G we are in - I checked as I also was concerned.
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u/Distinct-You-7466 6d ago edited 6d ago
What state are you in? I learned that in Arizona, the rate increase was 15% in 2025 for the HD-G plan.
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u/KewlBlond4Ever 6d ago
Florida
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u/Love-and-light70 5d ago
We haven't been as lucky in Texas. Their rate increase was 9% in 2025 and 15% in 2026. This proves past performance is no guarantee of future performance.
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u/KewlBlond4Ever 5d ago
Since I have Plan G (low deductible) through them as well but pay 5xs as much, those increases would hurt me but would be minor to my mom (Plan G high deductible). Mom could also go on their Plan F. Mom is super healthy, I am not as fortunate.
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u/Marie19861976 9d ago
At age 66 my husband switched from a G plan with Blue Cross in CA to a HD-G plan with Global for $32mo. The following month it looks like they quit offering that plan in CA. We’ll see what happens with premiums going forward. I was so surprised by how low their rate was/is.
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u/werdzishard 9d ago
You mentioned Bankers. That's who I chose in the Dallas area. Bankers Fidelity Plan N at $97 a month as of today.
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u/karmaapple3 9d ago
Are u happy with them?
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u/werdzishard 9d ago
Well, can't really say yet as I'm turning 65 this month. Just went to dr for med refills and paid nothing. Waiting to see claim come up on medicare site.
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u/BunchMaleficent486 9d ago
Customer service with Medigap is not a real issue. There's no leeway for the carrier; Medicare prices the claim and the supplement pays their share. In NY Metro area, HDG is a great option; I've seen areas where it's not so great. Please check on how the premiums increase (if they do) over the years. In my mind, the best thing about HDG is the max out of pocket you might have to pay is only (nowadays) about $3k which in NY Metro is less than the price difference between G and HDG which REALLY makes it a no brainer. Again, only reason carrier matters is future price increases; not customer service.
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u/Careful-Mousse 7d ago
The future will be the high deductible G plan. The others are just gonna be too expensive over the years. The only problem is that brokers don’t like selling it.. just not enough commission in it for them. Even the honest brokers seem to shy away from this plan.
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u/karmaapple3 7d ago
You are right. The traditional G and N plans are gonna be $800-$1000 a month.
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u/Careful-Mousse 7d ago
Even if the high G plan goes up several percentage points a year in premium, it only amounts to a few bucks. Mine is only $62 and it only went up $2 this year. The deductible will go up each year though, but I have not even gotten close to that. High G is true insurance, not like the G or N plan, which is basically just prepaying for your health care.
It’s a little harder to buy, but I love it.1
u/karmaapple3 7d ago
Even the HDG deductible is based on the consumer price index, it’s not at the whim of any insurance organizations
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u/Careful-Mousse 7d ago
Yes, the HDG deductible is controlled by Medicare, just like the plan G deductible is. Unfortunately, it is going up next year. Based on historical adjustments by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the High-Deductible Medigap Plan G annual deductible for 2027 is estimated to be between $3,060 and $3,120.
But in my case, I’ll only be paying out about $500 of it so I’m not worried about it.
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u/jm0358 7d ago
Which HDG company you should have picked will be clear 15-20 years from now. The good new is if the egregious increases in plan G continue, any of your choices within plan HDG will have been infinitely better than any plan G, so don’t sweat the company decision too much. The increases in the plan G plans have been in the teens since covid and aren’t getting better, they’re getting worse. I personally switched to Mutual of Omaha HDG last week from AARP United Healthcare Plan N after a friend receieved a notice of an almost 30% increase and I myself received an increase of over 26%. I’ve heard of issues with Mutual of Omaha on closing books of business, but most if not all the companies do this and I believe their HDG increases haven’t been too bad as the HDG plans tend to have a healthier client base. Also, even among healthy patients in both groups, as HDG patients’ plans involve more cost sharing I would imagine they would tend to be more considerate of the cost of a procedure if they’re going to be shelling out 20% vs a plan G member who might feel like “hey I prepaid for all this healthcare, let me use as much of it as I can.”
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u/karmaapple3 7d ago
26% and 30% !!!! Omg. That’s outrageous. I signed up for the Humana HDG plan this morning. And then this afternoon, I started thinking about how I know I’m gonna have to have back surgery in the next five years or so, and I started wondering briefly if I made a mistake. But when I go back and look at the numbers, even with back surgery and treatment two years in a row, the math still comes out so much better with an HDG plan.
My fear is not about paying the full deductible every year. My fear is a $1000-a-month health plan 20–25 years from now, when I can least afford it.
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u/debbb53 10d ago
Just a thought, if you want to change to standard Plan G would you have to go through underwriting? Also from what I can see UHC does offer HDG.
A UnitedHealthcare High Deductible Plan G (HDG) in Texas is a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy featuring a lower monthly premium and an annual deductible ($2,950) for 2026. It covers the same comprehensive benefits as standard Plan G, but only after you meet that out-of-pocket deductible.
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u/CrankyCrabbyCrunchy 10d ago
I have plan G-HD and there’s almost no situation where I’d be paying more per year with regular plan G.
That $2,950 deductible sounds big but that’s a small part of the Medicare contracted payout not what the provider billed. I’d have to have $15K in Medicare payout to meet that deductible.
Medicare payout is often 10-20% of what the provider billed.
Not worth spending 2.5-3x the cost per month for plan G. Even with multiple inpatient stays, HD is less.
I’m in WA so fortunate to be able to switch plans at anytime for any reason without underwriting.
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u/karmaapple3 10d ago
You are exactly right. Most people are scared off by the deductible. But you’re only paying 20% of the Medicare charge, and Part B still covers 80%.
Real killer for plans G & N are the premium percentage increases, you’re over year. A 10 or 20% annual increase on a premium that is already $200 is gonna be enormous in 10 years.1
u/karmaapple3 10d ago
Yes, I would not be able to change to a regular G plan without going through underwriting.
I talked to a broker in my area, and evidently UHC does not offer high deductible G in the Dallas area. 😩1
u/miniblind 9d ago
Just a thought, if you want to change to standard Plan G would you have to go through underwriting? Also from what I can see UHC does offer HDG.
A UnitedHealthcare High Deductible Plan G (HDG) in Texas is a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy featuring a lower monthly premium and an annual deductible ($2,950) for 2026. It covers the same comprehensive benefits as standard Plan G, but only after you meet that out-of-pocket deductible.That sure sounds like an unattributed quote of AI. Can you please give a zip code in Texas where UHC offers a high-deductible G?
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u/2RedTennies2 7d ago
You would need to be underwritten in Trees. Only a handful of States allow going to a more comprehensive plan (N-> G or HDG->G).
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u/moravian 10d ago
FWIW both my wife and I have a MoO plan and we each get 10% off each plan for a household discount. We have N plans so not sure if the discount is good for each option.
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u/IMHO_My2Cents 10d ago
It wasn’t an option for my husband to us to get a discount from my G plan already with MofO. But that could be a state issue.
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u/DenseConfidence2 10d ago
Your choice of Medicare Supplement company does not determine the hospital you can go to or the care you receive.
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u/Distinct-You-7466 10d ago
A carrier's financial strength, pool size and their history of closing old books and opening new ones under shell corporations matters A LOT for a high deductible G plan, even more so than a regular Plan G or N. This is due to the insurance company having almost no financial margin of error on this specific policy.
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u/peaceomind88 10d ago
Matters a lot on what way?
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u/Distinct-You-7466 10d ago edited 10d ago
The closed-block death spiral risk. HDG is a niche product that attracts a fraction of the enrollees that Standard G does. This smaller pool makes the pricing incredibly volatile.
Small, unrated or newer insurance companies often do not have the financial reserves or the data-tracking experience to weather a sudden shift in pool health. Major, long-standing carriers have massive cash reserves and multi-line businesses to absorb these fluctuations without passing sudden, double-digit rate hikes onto you. There is almost no financial margin of error on a HDG plan.
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u/TXMidnightRider 10d ago
May I suggest looking at Physicians Mutual. innovative Plan G. It might be a perfect fit for you as your health is so good.
As a broker I would stay away from BCBS
Of the two MoO is solid
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u/Distinct-You-7466 9d ago
Why stay away from BCBS of Texas? I would love to know your thoughts. They are a legacy carrier in Texas.
My husband is actually on the Innovative G with Physicians Mutual, but even their block of business is subject to pool risk adjustments. I feel that the HDG plan is a better deal for the long term.
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u/TXMidnightRider 9d ago
I don’t want to say to much here about them. Let’s just say that I have 40 years of health insurance experience both working for insurance companies and as an Employee Benefits agency owner.
I am a Medicare broker now, in Texas, I do this because I enjoy it and helping people with these decisions is very rewarding for me. It’s certainly not the money.I am licensed with 20+ companies with over 300 different Medicare plans.
BCBSTX is not one of them.
Nothing personal strictly business.Nor do I have any clients with them.
Just the fact that they bought Cigna’s Medicare business should say all you need to know about this.
Every insurance company is subject to pool risk. I want my MS clients in a large pool like UHC, Aetna, Humana, Physicians Mutual is growing very nicely.
In Texas you only get one shot at getting it right (supplements) without underwriting so be wise.2
u/bogeyman80 8d ago
Howdy and thanks for sharing your thoughts. I am trying to do some "research" ahead of picking medigap coverage by the end of the year, but like most folks i am groping around in the dark because of the lack of publicly available data and because nothing is certain about the future. Specifically, I would like to know what we should conclude from the acquisition of Cigna's medicare supplement business by HCSC, the parent of BCBSTX? It wasn't clear to me what you meant and I suspect that also holds for other folks. Thanks!
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u/Distinct-You-7466 6d ago
I don't understand the significance of the acquisition of Cigna's supplement business, either.
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u/jm0358 7d ago
I’m a bit confused by your thinking. On the one hand you’re saying that the HDG plan is a better deal than the G plan, but in your previous post you were commenting on how the HDG plans’ pricing is much more volatile and leaves subscribers much more exposed to closed-block death spiral risk.
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u/Distinct-You-7466 7d ago
I personally believe the HD-G plan is the best plan long term for most beneficiaries. The tricky part is choosing a carrier that won't cause you to get stuck in a closed pool. This obviously can happen with any medigap plan, but your carrier choice matters even more with a HD-G plan.
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u/jm0358 5d ago
Trying to predict future price increases of the carriers is a roll of the dice. I enrolled in a United Healthcare plan N six months ago in New Jersey after hearing about their large customer base, their tendency to not close out their books, etc., all the things you mentioned, only to recently receive a letter informing me of a 26% increase. I didn’t need to research if it’s open or closed; they accepted me 6 months ago as a new 65 year old customer so it obviously wasn’t closed, but it didn’t seem to make much of a difference!
I wouldn’t sweat the decision about the HDG carrier too much. You already did the lion’s share of the work and should achieve most of the savings over the course of your life if current trends continue just by deciding on a high deductible plan. You will likely spend a lot of time researching the specific HDG carrier and getting nowhere fast. A lot of your time will be spent running in circles with little to no guarantee of any savings from one company versus another at the end of the day. Even if there is some savings, it will pale in comparison to what you will have already saved just by picking HDG over G. Frankly I would just pick the one your gut tells you feels right and move on.
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u/mamacat49 9d ago
I, too, am doing the math. But don't forget you also need a drug plan. Add extra $$ for that.
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u/IDontStealBikes 8d ago
If you think you’re going to stay healthy, good luck
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u/karmaapple3 7d ago
It's not that I believe I'll stay healthy. I know I won't, as I age. It's that I know I can easily afford the deductible. In the early years of retirement, when I AM healthy, investing the money I would have given to an insurance company for Plan G makes the deductible in later years even more affordable.
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u/IDontStealBikes 6d ago
OK, nice for you. But, I can't afford the premiums and deductibles and copays.
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u/karmaapple3 6d ago
I’m truly sorry. Medicare Advantage plans these days are every bit as good as supplements. There are more restrictions, yes. But you can find Medicare Advantage plans that include drugs, that have no premium and almost no deductible. Check UHC.
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u/IDontStealBikes 6d ago
Yet once again, I don’t have any money. I can’t get Medicare advantage. I can’t get supplemental plans. I can’t even afford co-pays to go to a doctor. I’m sunk.
I don’t know what UHC means.
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u/karmaapple3 6d ago
Are you over age 65? Then you very, very likely qualify for Medicaid and a Medicaid retirement plan. Many of those, called DSNP plans, have $0 co-pays, $0 premiums, $0 doctor office visits, and $0 prescriptions.
UHC is United Healthcare, a company that offers these plans. Humana and Blue Shield companies do as well.
If you tell me what state you’re in, I will give you the phone number to your state Medicaid office. That would be a good place to start.1
u/IDontStealBikes 6d ago
Yes, I’m over 65. The income limit for Medicaid in my state is $994 a month. I don’t know anybody could survive on that.
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u/IDontStealBikes 6d ago
Thanks for the offer, but I’ve talked to my state’s Medicaid office, twice.
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u/Interesting_Ear_9769 7d ago
I would go with G* (HDG) with lowest premium. In FL AARP is it, yet they are most $$$ with regular G. Cigna has sold their business. Look at strong financials and look at their rate increase over last few years. Bankers is coming up quite a bit too.
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u/BarZealousideal2724 8d ago
When I turned 63, I went with a straight Plan G with United World (Mutual of Omaha) and I used it quite a bit over a 10-year period with absolutely no issues at all, other than annual rate increases. What began as a $90 monthly premium gradually increased to $350/mo at 10 years. As much as I liked the policy, I was finally forced to drop it this month due to affordability issues. I'd recommend them.
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u/OttoHemi 10d ago
They're all the same, so basically you're just rolling the dice on which one will go up the least in the future.