Health

DID YOU KNOW that the At-Home Recovery benefit is still active for anyone holding a Plan G (or PLAN D - not Part D ) purchased before June 1, 2010. It pays up to $1,600/year for short-term help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, and personal care while you're receiving Medicare-covered skilled home health services. Problem is, you might have difficulty finding people that know about it still and thus they kind of think you are crazy - but it is still there.  So IF you have a Plan G Medigap Purchased BEFORE June 1, 2010 then it is within you plan.  Keep up with those policies you never know when you might need to reference it.    

My husband and I have had the AARP Medicare Supplement Plan G plan for LESS than 2 years. He is 18 months in; I'm at 16 months. In that time, we've seen 2 rate increases and the $2.00 incentive to be billed and pay together has disappeared. What's with the money grab by UHC (and AARP)? My premium has gone from $106.64 to 131.69 with an interim hike and his has gone from $122.88 to $159.80 with another increase scheduled for Jan 2026.  The literature we read when we subscribed to this AARP plan was that our rates would not increase, yet here we are. A bait and switch? A lie in the advertising? Which is it? And why separate the bill so we lose that $2 incentive? Really?  You need to take back that $2? I would love a cogent explanation from both AARP and United Healthcare.  Last time i inquired they simply told me that the rate went up because the rate increased. (Kid you not!)  I really would love to know why the rates increase and what we should e

Very interesting - KFF Health News 05/22/2026 - The New Old Age - 3 Medical Routines That Older People May Not Need  l. Colonoscopy after the age of 76Never had a colonoscopy; colon cancer is not a hereditary trait in my family - in fact, no cancer at all - every 5-years I did do a non-invasive stool-based colorectal cancer screening test - always negative but if it ever came back positive, I would repeat and then if positive again I might have gotten a colonoscopy.  TOO old now to even consider it.  Of course if you have a hereditary history or meet some of the other specifics of being a high risk - definitely get one on the preventive schedule but if nothing shows up by age 76, you be the judge of getting more preventive colonoscopies.   2.Removal of Actinic Keratoses.I do have some of my actinic keratoses removed - the ones that might get irritate by clothing or if one appears on my face (vanity) but other than that - they just stay.

The NAIC (National Association of Insurance Commissioners) does a report on Medigap plans, I believe yearly - this is the last one Issued that I found  - 2024, issued in 2025.NAIC - NAIC NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INSURANCE COMMISSIONERS 2024 Medicare Supplement Loss Ratios  For Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plans, a higher Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) means a larger percentage of your premium dollars is going directly toward paying medical claims rather than into the insurer's administrative costs or profits This came from page 5 - a TEN Year Summary Comparison of all plans - 85% is what is legislated for ACA plans to pay out in coverage or they have to send a premium refund.  Of course, there is no such rule for Medigap plans and since this private gap (financial protection) insurance then they have tried to keep the MLR close to 75% or lower to maximize their profits (after their administrative cost has been covered)  But now they are paying out more and

Just for weight loss with no other diagnosed problem like diabetes / C-V disease or sleep apnea?   And should we subsidize the use of such for weight loss to hopefully bring about a healthier America? By subsidize - I mean by Medicare and your premiums.  

A recent announcement from AARP and UnitedHealthcare (UHC) revealed that Medigap Plan G premiums will see a significant increase of 13% starting in July 2024, followed by another 5% hike in January 2025. For many policyholders, this raises critical questions: Why is this happening? What justifies such a substantial increase in such a short period of time? And, perhaps most importantly, is AARP doing enough to protect its members from these types of financial shocks?Let’s break down the factors behind these steep premium increases and explore why this is occurring now. Additionally, we’ll consider whether AARP and UHC are working effectively to contain costs and how this affects the broader Medigap landscape.What’s Causing the Increase in Medigap Plan G Premiums?Rising Healthcare CostsOne of the most significant drivers of premium increases across the board for Medigap plans is the rising cost of healthcare services. As hospitals, doctors, and other medical providers raise their prices

From the mouth of those that have them - different plans / different states -Read the link and the posters that are chiming in on this subject. Reddit - Medicare - Plan G Price Increase as of July 1 - What Other Beneficiaries Are Saying  Heck, paying less than $ 300 a month sounds like a real deal from what others are saying. There are usually options -depends on your state and your investigation skills or perhaps help that you find or experts that you connect with for help - you can always check with your Dept of Aging, SHIP in your state  (State Health Insurance Program Assistance), or even an independent Medicare Medigap agent or broker to find out any options you might have.   NO, this is not a movement to get people on a MAPD plan - but it is a very good persuasion for considering taking on more of the risk in Original Medicare with your Supplemental plan. MAPD everywhere will never be an option for the program of Medicare - mainly because t

Hello to anyone who may read this,  My brief story and question at end:  I am only 51 years old, I have a condition that is limiting me to work as a vascular sonographer in a hospital that I have been working for almost 30 years. I am becoming disabled through repetitive motion and currently I am in continual pain to neck, shoulders and all joints in the upper body since JAN 2022. I have two small children, wife and a home, so I am blessed. Unfortunately I am becoming more limited daily and with working as a vascular sonographer, I am worsening my condition without a doubt because it is a measured effect. While I was also diagnosed with cervical disc herniation JAN 2022, no providers are willing to indicate that the disc is the cause, for which it might not be, but none the less, I am not doing well physically and now it is progressing mentally since. I have seen (2) orthopedic surgeons, (2) pain management physicians (no drugs ever!), PCP, Physiatrists and have com

Once a senior sees that the total annual cost of Plan HD-G premiums  (around $495) plus the annual deductible (this year $2950) in my case exceeds the annual cost of Plan G's premiums (my actual announced $3270) plus the $283 annual Part B deductible and sees that in either the best case or worst case scenario, the HD-G plan would save the senior money, the only reason I can imagine for not choosing the HD-G plan is the seniior's lack of wealth or cash flow to support the irregular cash flows (but lower expense) of the HD-G plan.Some have said that they fear being on HD-G in a future that they ima gine will bring higher medical expenses. That is simply illogical because the HD-G pays the same as G once the annual deductible is met. (And the deductibles actually paid are already included in the worst (or best) case scenarios described above.Some have mentioned perceived fear of not meeting medical underwriting to get back to either G or N. To that I ask, "Why you ever want to retur

 Should your Dr. or Specialist prescribe Dex-Com system of constant-read glucometer, be aware that I experienced four malfunctioning arm sensors within a six-moth period, and when I wrote to complain, they simply put me on "ignore". So I would advise asking for an alternative to that product which apparently will not warranty their off-shore manufactured instruments.

The current April/May 2026 cover photo of Eva Longoria is so airbrushed that it might as well have been taken 25 years ago. Is this supposed to be encouraging to the rest of us "normal" people leading "normal" lives. Come on. Are celebrities so afraid to show their faces? It's actually disgusting and I'm sick of it. It just adds to ageism and sexism is not in the least encouraging. Why did I put this under brain health? Because it drives me nuts. That's why.

 KFF.org-04/08/2026 - Medicare Advantage Insurers Will See Higher Payments as CMS Backs Off a Key Payment Update  It is still gonna get done - albeit a bit slower.  We do not need any more of them baling out because many beneficiaries with this MAPD coverage is all that they can afford -   

Can someone please explain the difference?  Two different Medigap plans show in the Medicare Plan Finder, and this appears to be 2 different companies with different "standard" rates.  I heard that "of America" was some sort of a new variation with lower rates.  Nothing shows on the websites.  Search the two different names and the same uhc,com website comes up.  How can there be two different standard rates?  As a SHIP counselor, I'm trying to explain to folks I talk with.

I I just received a notice that my AARP Medicare Supplemental Plan G with United Health Care in Kentucky is increasing by nearly 19% in October! What is AARP doing to help control the increasing costs of this supplemental plan G? An increase of 19% seems excessive to me. 

 Definitely worth the read if only to add to your knowledge of Medigap plans.AARP/UHC Medigap plans or Medicare Supplemental plans are not the only ones going higher with their premiums.   KFF Health News 04/23/2026 - Medigap Premiums Leap, and Consumers Have Few Alternatives  from the link:In the supplemental market, following big increases last year, rates appear to be rising again. In early 2026 filings with state insurance commissioners from Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, Mutual of Omaha, and UnitedHealthcare, rate increases for Plan G policies — the most commonly purchased supplement type — ranged from just over 12% to more than 26% in the first quarter, according to Nebraska-based consulting firm Telos Actuarial. . . . . . Agents and policy experts blame a range of factors for rising premiums: an increase in the use of medical services by beneficiaries; the aging of the population; increases in labor and medical costs; rules

Here are as much details as I have on it at the present.  I am sure that more will be forthcoming in the next couple of months. CMS.gov - BALANCE (Better Approaches to Lifestyle and Nutrition for Comprehensive hEalth) Model  CMS.gov - GLP-1 BRIDGE Program FAQ  Edited to add a bit more news - KFF.org 04/23/2026 - CMS Extends Medicare’s Short-Term Bridge Program for GLP-1 Obesity Drug Coverage      

 I literally started my AARP Extended Basic Medicare Supplemental Plan RW on 1 APR 2026.  On Apr 19th I got a letter notifying me of a 20% cost increase beginning  APR 2027.  Seems like a real bait and switch program.  It is like, put a lower rate and get you to sign up for their supplemental and then UHC tacks on 20% the first year.  

AARP has had an affiliation with UHC for as long as I can remember. I have a plan with them and went to my dentist on Monday, paid what the gal at the desk said I would owe for a filling, $75. A day later I get a letter saying UHC was not keeping my Dentist in network going back two weeks. The letter was generated a week after that date, and I didn't get it for another week. The person I talked to in some call center, probably southeast asia, said she could provide me a list of covered dentists, I said start a formal complaint. If AARP wants the kickback from UHC they better start to demand better business practices from them, postdating termination of coverage is crap.

The UHC phone app has an option to verify that an item qualifies by scanning the barcode.Unfortunately, Walmart store systems are not synced with this, and so when I shop at my local Walmart to spend my quarterly Over The Counter money using my UCard, the Walmart checkout says most items do NOT qualify. I have contacted UHC and Walmart, and they both blame each other. AARP should hold these corporations responsible for getting in sync, since their name is on the title of the plan.

I'm a Medicare/medicaid person since 2022 after spinal surgery. I start a new job paying $80,000 a year and I'm 66 years old. Do I just call about my new health insurance plan at work?

As soon as I became a member with United Healthcare, I began to receive phone calls from a third party company affiliated with United Healthcare known as BeneLynk.  The callers from BeneLynk seemed to know certain pieces of critical information I had given to United Healthcare, but they didn't seem to have my home address, income, or date of birth.   The calls from BeneLynk didn't seem to be very professional, and they were very aggressive in their attempts to get me to sign up for additional services, so I asked one of the rep's from BeneLynk to send me an email outlining their pitch to me.  However, when I got the email things didn't look right, so I tried to call United Healthcare to report the issue. I called the number listed on the back of my card, and then I had to wait an extended period of time before finally speaking to someone in a call center in South Asia, and my call actually got disconnected once or twice during the process.    Whe

Just a question - opinion Do you like the new way that the Medicare Prescription Drug Program has been designed from the Build Back Better Act?   Do you have need to participate in the financing of your out of pocket cost by your insurer?  If so, does this work out well for you?  Is the maximum out of pocket cost - (2026) $ 2100 - which includes all payers - a reasonable amount - do you reach it early in the year?  

To add a bit more to my post on Medigap premiums increasing -Think about this:If you have a Plan G and your premiums for that Plan G rose to $ 500 a month but Congress passes legislation that caps your out of pocket cost in Medicare (A & B) to $ 5000 per year -   There would be NO need for the Medigap plan.   

I have been on medicare with UHC medigap plan G for less than 2 years.  66 years old male, Ohio.  Low insurance usage, dont even go over the deductible.   My premiums started out at $119, then $143, and now going to $195 starting in October 2026.  These seem to be astronomical increases.  Oddly, my same address household partner, same UHC plan, who is female 71 years old has experienced acceptable premium increases of roughly about $10 for the same period.  Her premium in October will be $187 (compared to my $195).  Note she is 5 years older than I.  Could someone explain these premium increases and different rates per person? I looked forward to Medicare hoping for some price stability, but this is anything but stable.   I never thought I would consider shopping around for other insurance companies, is it wise to switch companies (same plan G)?  Do most people shop around, or just stay with UHC? 

Has anyone enrolled in Plan N ever been charged the 15% medicare excess charge?