@g936417g
Thanks for letting us know what the agent relayed.
Of course, AARP UHC Plan G is probably bigger - they pull from a national audience.
However, somethings the agent may have missed:
You must maintain your membership in AARP to participate in an AARP branded Supplemental Plan - an added cost but a minimal cost at present, IMO.
An AARP endorsement - also a profit making relationship and a disclosure that some provider offers are subject to change and may have restrictions.
AARP UHC Supplemental Plans Disclosure
IF it is not in your contract as a covered benefit without any change or restriction notices - then it may not be around for the long haul - This may not discourage you from this choice but you do need to be aware of it. This would be things like the Renew Active plan. The only thing 100% sure to be maintained overtime is what is
within Plan G itself as defined by Medicare and what might be in the contract without any limitations.
Some people here have been through this when the beloved benefit of Silver Sneakers (exercise program for seniors) was dropped by many Supplemental Insurers a year or two back. A bunch of angry and disappointed seniors to say the least: https://community.aarp.org/t5/tag/Silver%20Sneakers/tg-p/board-id/bf59
Just make sure you understand what is in the contract and what is outside of it that can be changed or modified by the insurer.
The size of the insurer's group in a particular Medigap Plan is of course, important but what is also equally important is the age and health of the group. Yes, supplemental plans that constantly bring in younger and healthier members to balance out the older and sicker will benefit premiums over the long haul - to me, this is regardless of how they rate - community rated, plan entry-age related or attained age related.
The question one has to ask ones self here is which insurer is gonna attract more of that younger and healthier group of seniors? Will it be the one that has the lowest premiums or the one that is bigger in scope, bears the name of a national association, or give some other benefit for a period of time enticing seniors to their ranks.
Supplemental plans especially in the same general area pay basically the same amount for services in that general area. Medicare (Part B) pays 80% of the Medicare approved amount. The Medicare approved amount for a specific service is the same in a specific area - that's how they set the approved amount - by area. Then a Plan G will pick up the remaining 20% once that Part B deductible is met.
Same with Hospital cost (Part A) and what they pay based on the Medigap Supplemental Plan of choice. That's all the same with everybody on Plan G supplemental especially in the same area.
With BIGness also comes more public exposure - both positive and negative. UHC is one of the biggest if not the biggest - in all types of health coverage - employer provided for their workforce, employer retiree coverage, Medicare Advantage plans of all types, Medigap Supplemental Coverage, and I think Managed Care plans. Do they get some negative national exposure - Sure Do, especially in the Medicare Advantage plan scope.
You are in the home stretch now - you have picked your plan and now you have to pick your insurer -
Plan G covers the same benefits regardless of insurer.
Understand what and how anything else is covered in the contract or whether it is even in the contract at all. These things may change.
We are all victims of the future - and what that holds in cost.
I am sure that you will do just fine in whatever choice you make now - pass that, I am not sure that there are any assurances.
It's Always Something . . . . Roseanna Roseannadanna