Had my annual Medicare Wellness Check this morning.

[MineralMan]

It's typically the only time I see my doctor during the year. He writes a year's worth of prescriptions for me, checks me over briefly and says I'm doing OK for being 73 years old.

This year, though, I had to change my Medicare supplement from a Cost plan to an Advantage plan with a different insurer, due to a change in Federal regs. Annoying, but it shouldn't matter in the long run. My clinic, which is in network for the plan, which is why I chose that plan, is overwhelmed with new paperwork that has to be done due to the switch.

I also have to change pharmacies to one that is a Preferred Pharmacy, and is one I have never used before. So, I'm off to give them my insurance cards and fill out some form or another. Also annoying, but not such a big deal for me.

However, for many Medicare recipients, such changes can be confusing, difficult, and hard to understand. Many have ongoing health problems, have trouble reading, hearing, and comprehending the mountain of paperwork that goes with such changes. I feel for them, and wish the whole system was much simpler to navigate for patients. I also have sympathy for all those clinics, doctors, pharmacies, and others who will no doubt have to struggle to adapt to changes each year in what should be a simple program.

It can be confusing, stressful, and prone to errors.

[redstatebluegirl]

1. I will be eligible for Medicare next year.

I have begun to do my homework to try and figure out what to do. It is really confusing to try and figure out what you need in terms of additional coverage. Have you found a website or any other source to help with that decision?

[murielm99]

2. Go to you local senior center.

I did that when I had to sign up and choose a Medicare D option. They had people from the Dept. on Aging to help us choose the best options. Check and see what help is available in your area.

[MineralMan]

6. A lot depends on your individual health situation.

If you do not have any chronic illnesses and are generally healthy, any of the supplemental systems are OK. If you do have health issues that are likely to result in the need for considerable care, then a straight supplement, which has a higher premium, is probably your best choice. Advantage plans, which are HMOs, typically tied to a single preferred provider network, are the trickiest. Management is the key word. You'll find with them that everything beyond simple stuff requires approval.

Advantage plans have the lowest premiums, but have real issues for many people who require medical attention fairly frequently. Straight supplemental policies, like the ones offered by AARP and most other insurance companies give you the maximum freedom, but have higher premiums. The old (cost) plans, which are being phased out, struck a pretty good medium.

With a (cost) plan or straight supplement, you'll also need a Medicare Part D supplement. Those are included in the Advantage plans. If you take a lot of medications, you'll want to carefully look at each plan to see how they handle the actual ones you take. Generics are generally quite inexpensive in all plans, but non-generics vary widely in your co-pay.

Really, the choice is between the three major types of plan. If you look for one that has your preferred healthcare system or clinics in their network, that's probably your best choice.

You can change plans every year, during the open enrollment period in the Fall. So, you're not stuck with what you choose forever.

[redstatebluegirl]

8. Well I did inherit my father's health.

I am on a number of medications and have had one back fusion and may need another soon so i need to be careful.

[MineralMan]

10. Yes. If you think you may need additional surgery,

I'd go with a (cost) plan that includes your current health care network. Either that, or a PPO supplement that includes your health network in its network. Changing doctors, clinics and hospital systems is a major pain in the ass.

Ask your doctors which plans they're in network with. That would narrow down your choices.

[skylucy]

3. +100 I turn 65 in March but I have already discovered that the system is absolutely confusing

and stressful. Definitely NOT customer friendly.

[MineralMan]

7. It is complicated, to be sure.

There are independent licensed agents who can help walk you through the process. There's no charge to you for their help. I suggest you use one. A lot depends on your health issues, medications, and preferences of your doctor, clinic, hospitals, etc. Networks matter a lot when picking a plan. Frankly, most people go with a plan that has their current primary care doctor in the network. That's probably the primary criterion you should look at. If you use a multi-doctor clinic for your general care, you'll want a plan that has that clinic or set of clinics in it.

It's easier in big metro areas, which have all of those things and many choices.

Start choosing now, if you'll be going on the system in March. Make your decisions before you actually sign up.

[skylucy]

13. I got my medicare card in the mail yesterday, so hopefully I am done with the process. I did

stay with my current plan (Kaiser). A few weeks ago I got a clue that the process is messed up when I had to hang on the phone for over two hours just to get an appointment with the local social security/medicare office.

[area51]

4. We need comprehensive

Medicare for All. Our current system is ridiculously complex.

[MineralMan]

9. Yeah, well, Medicare for All is still going to have those supplemental

insurance issues. There will still be the 20% that Medicare doesn't pay, I'm quite sure.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

5. it's deliberately complex

It's easier to slip scams into a complicated system. GOPers have been adding complexity for years, at the behest of their campaign donors.

[redstatebluegirl]

11. I have been working since I was 14, I worked full time while going to college and since that time.

I quit working full time due to health 8 years ago, it took me forever to find a part time job with benefits. You should not have to work your entire life just to have to be sure you pick the right plan that keeps you from losing everything and being homeless due to health issues.

[MineralMan]

12. You're right. And basically, all of the plans will work for you.

Some, however, work better and more smoothly than others. A lot depends on your specific conditions. Talk to your doctors, or their offices, since the staff knows better. Ask them which plans' networks they're in. It's important to have them go to bat for you, if necessary. That's why changing doctors is such a hassle. If you have relationships already, find a plan they fit into. That will be the most important thing, really, for most people.

I changed providers this year, because my health care network, which I like, hooked up with Aetna and has their best relationship with that insurer. I had to change, anyhow, so I went with the closest company to my healthcare network, the one that has the clinic my long-term physician is associated with.