Content starts here

CLOSE ×

Red Membership Card

AARP Membership — $15 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal

Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine.

You're this close to getting so much more ...

Get access to this and all Members-Only discussions, plus a world of member Benefits when you Join AARP!

Become an AARP Member for $12 Already a member? Login >

Members Only

My Settings Guidelines

About somarco

Super Contributor

Tell us about yourself:

I enjoy helping people understand the complexities of Medicare. Married (45 years) live in Atlanta with my college sweetheart and wife. Empty nester's but our rescue Doxie (Elsie) entertains us and serves as our burglar alarm. Our son lives in CA and is an engineer @ Google. Our daughter is an art teacher in DC.

Area of knowledge and what I know well:

Over 45 years working in the health insurance arena. 18 years on the carrier side, the balance as an independent agent. Specialize in Medicare benefits since 2010.

Bio

Live in Atlanta as an empty nester. Bring extensive knowledge in medicare and insurance to the community table! Just ask.

All Activity

POSTS
KUDOS
SOLUTIONS
TAGS

Medicare & Insurance

Re: Recent premium increase for United Healthcare coverages

In several states UHC Medigap have a "common renewal date". For example, you buy a plan with an April effective date and 3 months later everyone gets an annual inflation adjustment. Perhaps the agent you used forgot to mention that detail.

somarco 05-20-2026 05:41 AM

1

Reply

0

Kudos

820

Views

Medicare & Insurance

Re: Recent premium increase for United Healthcare coverages

@jo85336578 wrote:I'm a fan of HD-G plans myself but am also aware of the effect of inflation on the annual HD-G deductible. Can you name a plan, Medigap or MA, that is not impacted by health care inflation + utilization?

somarco 05-20-2026 05:36 AM

1

Reply

0

Kudos

825

Views

Medicare & Insurance

Re: Recent premium increase for United Healthcare coverages

I have HDF . . . had it for 10 years. My premium has never increased during that time and is still $56/month. Every year (until now) I have saved $$$ vs a traditional F or G. Cataract surgery cost $5k this year (including $4200 for lenses not covere...

somarco 05-17-2026 08:48 AM

0

Replies

1

Kudo

952

Views

Medicare & Insurance

Re: Recent premium increase for United Healthcare coverages

changing to another, more affordable carrier at my first opportunity . . . . MEDIGAP plans can be changed at anytime (subject to underwriting). If you live in a birthday/anniversary state that affords you another option.

somarco 05-16-2026 10:09 AM

2

Replies

1

Kudo

2894

Views

Medicare & Insurance

Re: PDP "Prior Authorization"

Not really back . . . just popped in after getting a kudo notice from a post 5 years ago. I have enough going on without monitoring this board like I once did. You are a good friend and this board won't be the same without you. Best to you!

somarco 12-10-2025 05:24 AM

1

Reply

0

Kudos

1554

Views

Medicare & Insurance

Re: Recent premium increase for United Healthcare coverages

In several states UHC Medigap have a "common renewal date". For example, you buy a plan with an April effective date and 3 months later everyone gets an annual inflation adjustment. Perhaps the agent you used forgot to mention that detail.

somarco 05-20-2026 05:41 AM

1

Reply

0

Kudos

820

Views

Medicare & Insurance

Re: Recent premium increase for United Healthcare coverages

@jo85336578 wrote:I'm a fan of HD-G plans myself but am also aware of the effect of inflation on the annual HD-G deductible. Can you name a plan, Medigap or MA, that is not impacted by health care inflation + utilization?

somarco 05-20-2026 05:36 AM

1

Reply

0

Kudos

825

Views

Medicare & Insurance

Re: Recent premium increase for United Healthcare coverages

I have HDF . . . had it for 10 years. My premium has never increased during that time and is still $56/month. Every year (until now) I have saved $$$ vs a traditional F or G. Cataract surgery cost $5k this year (including $4200 for lenses not covere...

somarco 05-17-2026 08:48 AM

0

Replies

1

Kudo

952

Views

Medicare & Insurance

Re: Recent premium increase for United Healthcare coverages

changing to another, more affordable carrier at my first opportunity . . . . MEDIGAP plans can be changed at anytime (subject to underwriting). If you live in a birthday/anniversary state that affords you another option.

somarco 05-16-2026 10:09 AM

2

Replies

1

Kudo

2894

Views

Medicare & Insurance

Re: PDP "Prior Authorization"

Not really back . . . just popped in after getting a kudo notice from a post 5 years ago. I have enough going on without monitoring this board like I once did. You are a good friend and this board won't be the same without you. Best to you!

somarco 12-10-2025 05:24 AM

1

Reply

0

Kudos

1554

Views

Medicare & Insurance

Re: Recent premium increase for United Healthcare coverages

In several states UHC Medigap have a "common renewal date". For example, you buy a plan with an April effective date and 3 months later everyone gets an annual inflation adjustment. Perhaps the agent you used forgot to mention that detail.

somarco 05-20-2026 05:41 AM

1

Reply

0

Kudos

820

Views

Medicare & Insurance

Re: Recent premium increase for United Healthcare coverages

@jo85336578 wrote:I'm a fan of HD-G plans myself but am also aware of the effect of inflation on the annual HD-G deductible. Can you name a plan, Medigap or MA, that is not impacted by health care inflation + utilization?

somarco 05-20-2026 05:36 AM

1

Reply

0

Kudos

825

Views

Medicare & Insurance

Re: Recent premium increase for United Healthcare coverages

I have HDF . . . had it for 10 years. My premium has never increased during that time and is still $56/month. Every year (until now) I have saved $$$ vs a traditional F or G. Cataract surgery cost $5k this year (including $4200 for lenses not covere...

somarco 05-17-2026 08:48 AM

0

Replies

1

Kudo

952

Views

Medicare & Insurance

Re: Recent premium increase for United Healthcare coverages

changing to another, more affordable carrier at my first opportunity . . . . MEDIGAP plans can be changed at anytime (subject to underwriting). If you live in a birthday/anniversary state that affords you another option.

somarco 05-16-2026 10:09 AM

2

Replies

1

Kudo

2894

Views

Medicare & Insurance

Re: PDP "Prior Authorization"

Not really back . . . just popped in after getting a kudo notice from a post 5 years ago. I have enough going on without monitoring this board like I once did. You are a good friend and this board won't be the same without you. Best to you!

somarco 12-10-2025 05:24 AM

1

Reply

0

Kudos

1554

Views

Public Statistics

Date Registered	‎07-20-2011 07:13 PM
Last Visited
Total Messages Posted	45
Total Kudos Received	19

19

21

0