topic Re: AARP UHC Plan G 2024 Rate Increase in Medicare & Insurance

AARP UHC Plan G 2024 Rate Increase

MichaelH904998 — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 14:35:00 GMT

12.7 % in Arizona averaged husband and wife. Wasn't expecting such a high increase.

We do not have the Plus plan or whatever that is discounted in the early years. That plan basically phases out the discount for add ons that we chose not to take. So this is just straight G coverage only.

For those that have been in the plan longer, (this is our first rate increase), what were you seeing over the years. Anyone know where there this is a historical table?

Re: AARP UHC Plan G 2024 Rate Increase

mc85147526 — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 05:20:26 GMT

I started off with $110 last year at 65 and its now increasing to $158 later this year , Plan G AARP UHC . I know there is a discount on the first year but its a big increase

Re: AARP UHC Plan G 2024 Rate Increase

GailL1 — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 14:12:13 GMT

Get ready for more - discount being shaved off, area medical inflation, rating method used - age oriented or community rated.

BTW - it is your state that approves the premium raises that is submitted to them by the insurer.

Re: AARP UHC Plan G 2024 Rate Increase

MichaelH904998 — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 20:24:44 GMT

You seem to have bought the plan with the extras. Get your materials out. They shave the discount each year and after that expires you are paying a lot for the extras. In my case I had the base plan which reflects on only the Part B supplement. So maybe the difference between 12.7 (or similar for your state) and your total is the discount reduction.

Re: AARP UHC Plan G 2024 Rate Increase

MichaelH904998 — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 20:53:30 GMT

Not all states actually approve rate increases - ADOI is the Arizona Department of Insurance

Reference Document

Does the Arizona Department of Insurance (ADOI) approve an increase in my premium?

No. Arizona law does not permit ADOI to approve or disapprove rate increases. However, insurers must
file rate changes with ADOI before using those rates to calculate premium. ADOI is required to review
all individual and small group major medical health insurance rates to ensure that the rates are
“reasonable,” based on the legal standards that apply. (Legal Standards available at
http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=09179ad6214b7033a7036b3758543ddc&mc=true&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title45/45cfr154_main_02.
tpl )
Arizona has been designated an “Effective Rate Review” state in accordance with federal standards
(learn more about Effective Rate Review at https://www.cms.gov/CCIIO/Resources/Fact-Sheets-and-FAQs/rate_review_fact_sheet.html ).

Some of the URLS are clipped by this board so copy and paste.

Re: AARP UHC Plan G 2024 Rate Increase

GailL1 — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 22:54:07 GMT

Sorry, can't get the CMS link to work even with copy / paste

But yes, each state decides their own procedure - even in AZ they have to submit actual rate increases for review. Review does mean for reasonableness -

But they don't have to submit increases that happen just for the declining discount since those are already planned with the client and the insurer.

Beneficiaries should be aware of any extras - which could go up in cost also. Or any extras could be discontinued if not in the body of the policy as a benefit and not an extra.

It just seems that they are making this type of insurance purchase [MediGAP] more complicated - but it is Medicare.

Re: AARP UHC Plan G 2024 Rate Increase

MichaelH904998 — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 22:59:02 GMT

If you click on Reference document you get the links that should work. It’s the actual source document.

Re: AARP UHC Plan G 2024 Rate Increase

mc85147526 — Sat, 20 Apr 2024 19:13:36 GMT

Its supposed to be community rated

Re: AARP UHC Plan G 2024 Rate Increase

GailL1 — Sat, 20 Apr 2024 21:08:03 GMT

@mc85147526

Being Community Rated is just one part of the whole - community rated doesn’t mean that it doesn’t go up - it just goes up for everybody in THAT book of policies - Somebody that is 65 and somebody 75 would pay the same community based rate.

But on top of that is the declining discount - you may have started out at a 30% discount and each year loose 5% of that discount until it is all used up.

Then there are the extras if you have any of those - these are outside the federal requirements of what in the plan - these are things the insurer may have put in to entice you to their product rather than the same Plan of another insurer. Gym membership, a vision discount - stuff like that - these may also change in price.

Utilization plays a big part in medical inflation - while the pandemic was going on, Medicare beneficiaries dropped their useage of regular doctor visits - but now they are back in full force getting their [whatever] care - we hope it is all necessary care but since original Medicare isn’t managed at all - then if it is covered and Medicare pays - the Medigap Plan G pays.

In addition to this, Medicare is now covering some really expensive type care - the new Alzheimer’s treatments and the associated monitoring test. New Chemotherapy regiments even if they only extend life a few months - they are still FDA approved.

For those folks who live in states where they have added more guaranteed issue rights - their premiums are higher just because of this. New York being one of them.

Now you see why almost 50% of the people have decided to get a Medicare Advantage plan instead of fighting these constant GAP coverage increases.

You have the Cadillac of current plans - the most benefits - you picked it - but just be aware you will be paying more and more as Medicare, medical cost and other influencing financials change.

There were other choices that would have been more economically feasible - like the High Deductible Plan G.

When you have some skin in the game, the premiums seem to be much better.

Medicare.gov- Get MediGAP Cost

Take a look at these charts - it isn’t just UHC

TELOS Actuarial - Medicare Supplement Rate Actions – 2024 Q1 Update

Are you in a state that allows you to change policies usually to one that is equal to or lesser in benefits at some time during the year? Like in California where they call it the “birthday rule” or New York - there are others too.

Re: AARP UHC Plan G 2024 Rate Increase

mc85147526 — Mon, 20 May 2024 18:03:21 GMT

based on the chart I can see United Health Care had the highest increase at over 12%

Re: AARP UHC Plan G 2024 Rate Increase

Victorialk7474 — Wed, 05 Jun 2024 20:10:12 GMT

I have had the F plan since 2017. They just raised my monthly rate to 279.46. It has been wonderful, I have not paid out a dime in all these years.

Re: AARP UHC Plan G 2024 Rate Increase

GailL1 — Wed, 05 Jun 2024 22:24:05 GMT

@Victorialk7474

Your Medigap Plan F Supplemental will continue to go up in price because this plan is no longer offered for sale to beneficiaries past an eligibility date of 01/01/2020. Therefore, the people that still have it are getting older and older and perhaps sicker - and there isn’t any “new blood” coming in to offset their cost.

There is a High Deductible Plan F that is still available and the premiums for that plan is very low comparatively but there is a deductible that has to be met each year.

Plan G is exactly like Plan F EXCEPT that it does not cover the Part B deductible ( 2024 Part B deductible = $ 240) so for LESS than (1) month of your current premiums, you could have an exact plan except for this $ 240 annual Part B deductible. You might also save on monthly premiums depending on your health, where you are located and which insurer you go with.

Yes, Plan F is the Cadillac - no money out of pocket as long as Medicare covers the medical expense - then your Plan F covers the remainder. It just comes with a heavy price tag - but if you are good with it - the few others that still have it hope you will stick with it especially if you are reasonably healthy.

Re: AARP UHC Plan G 2024 Rate Increase

MichaelH904998 — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 22:58:01 GMT

And now for 2025 it's another 19%. I thought UHC was supposed to be reasonable.

Re: AARP UHC Plan G 2024 Rate Increase

TRL1111 — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 00:42:13 GMT

@MichaelH904998 wrote:
I thought UHC was supposed to be reasonable.

How do you define "reasonable"? And if it's defined as "on par with or cheaper than others," who told you that?

Re: AARP UHC Plan G 2024 Rate Increase

MichaelH904998 — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 00:51:19 GMT

Just what I could find a research when I purchased. Expected maybe 5-8%. Getting info wasn't easy but seems like all of them are doing this.

Re: AARP UHC Plan G 2024 Rate Increase

TRL1111 — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 01:01:11 GMT

It's real easy to find out what other supplements cost by going to Medicare.gov and clicking on "Find a Medicare Supplement Insuance (Medigap) policy. Enter your zip code and then age and sex and tobacco use, and then click on "view policies" for whichever type you want. It'll give you the current premium for all the companies that offer that supplement in your zip code.

If you see one you like better and you can pass underwriting if you're in a state that allows underwriting, then switch tomorrow. But be aware that past pricing and current pricing are no guarantee of future pricing with any supplement.

Re: AARP UHC Plan G 2024 Rate Increase

GailL1 — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 01:01:55 GMT

@MichaelH904998

Want to know how to keep your Medigap premiums lower, in fact real low sometimes.

Accept more of your health risk - get a policy with less benefits - or to go real low on the premium plan by accepting more of the risk -

Check out a Medigap Plan G High Deductible. In fact, I heard on the reddit board the other day somebody saying that their Medigap Plan G High Deductible plan went down from $ 48 per month to $ 36 per month for 2025. Sure they have to pay the deductible of (2025) $ 2870 before their plan starts to pay but then it works just like a regular Plan G - and the deductible includes the Part B deductible so really it is only the difference that has to be paid between the two plans - the Regular and the High Deductible Plan G.

Re: AARP UHC Plan G 2024 Rate Increase

Victorialk7474 — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 11:55:43 GMT

This is crazy, I was paying 278 and in June the price will be 350.96. When December rolls around my payment will be 363.42. I am on plan F and have never been hospitalized. There has to be other options available.

Re: AARP UHC Plan G 2024 Rate Increase

MichaelH904998 — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 12:12:16 GMT

LOL yes UHC does their rates in June after the opportunity to change closes. The rate shown yesterday was my old rate. Yes I know how to do that but it doesn't reflect what the rate will be raised too in June of each year.

Re: AARP UHC Plan G 2024 Rate Increase

MichaelH904998 — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 12:49:23 GMT

Interesting - saves roughly 1300 a year but risking paying 2850 in deductible. So if you have really no claims you are better off. That was me this past year but what of future years. Good to know. Mayo in AZ does not take MAP plans so choices are limited if you want to use them.