Social Security & Medicare

Sherman A1

(38,958 posts) Sun Sep 29, 2019, 01:45 PM Sep 2019

Medicare Advantage Premiums to Decrease in 2020

Monthly premiums for Medicare Advantage (MA) plans are expected to drop by an average of $3.87 to an estimated $23 in 2020 — a 14 percent decrease, the Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services (CMS) announced on Tuesday. About one-third of Medicare's 60 million beneficiaries belong to these private insurance plans.

Open enrollment for all Medicare enrollees begins Oct. 15 and ends Dec. 7.

Medicare Advantage, also known as Medicare Part C, is a private insurance alternative to original Medicare. These plans include Medicare Part A, which covers hospital care, hospice, and some nursing home and rehabilitative services, and Part B, which helps pay for doctor visits and other outpatient services, including lab tests, scans and other diagnostic services. Most MA plans also include prescription drug coverage.

The premiums announced Tuesday represent a nationwide average. Actual monthly charges for MA plans will vary depending on what the plan covers and where beneficiaries live. CMS announced this year that premiums for Part D prescription drug coverage were also trending down by about 13.5 percent to a projected $30 a month. CMS has not yet set the premiums for Part B or the deductibles for parts A and B.

https://www.aarp.org/health/medicare-insurance/info-2019/medicare-advantage-premiums-decline.html?

13 replies

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Medicare Advantage Premiums to Decrease in 2020 (Original Post) Sherman A1 Sep 2019 OP

Well that's interesting. PoindexterOglethorpe Sep 2019 #1

I've got MA and it's been a good choice for me I think. WheelWalker Sep 2019 #2

I likewise am on Medicare PoindexterOglethorpe Sep 2019 #7

I, too, am astonishingly healthy given my age, that I had a coronary 16 yrs ago, and have used pot WheelWalker Sep 2019 #9

I often say I have the Republican health care plan. PoindexterOglethorpe Sep 2019 #11

Just went into Medicare and Supplement program this year Sherman A1 Sep 2019 #3

This message was self-deleted by its author Sucha NastyWoman Dec 2020 #13

This is great info...made me read my annual notice of changes..2020 asiliveandbreathe Sep 2019 #4

Our premiums are decreasing Turbineguy Sep 2019 #5

My coverage price stayed the same Sherman A1 Sep 2019 #6

An excellent suggestion! Turbineguy Sep 2019 #10

I've paid $0 month for my Coventry Advantage plan for sinkingfeeling Sep 2019 #8

Had Coventry when I was working and it seemed to be pretty good Sherman A1 Sep 2019 #12

PoindexterOglethorpe

(26,544 posts)

1. Well that's interesting.

Reply to Sherman A1 (Original post)

Sun Sep 29, 2019, 01:46 PM

Sep 2019

Could be a model for health care for more people, yes?

WheelWalker

(9,186 posts)

2. I've got MA and it's been a good choice for me I think.

Reply to PoindexterOglethorpe (Reply #1)

Sun Sep 29, 2019, 01:53 PM

Sep 2019

PoindexterOglethorpe

(26,544 posts)

7. I likewise am on Medicare

Reply to WheelWalker (Reply #2)

Sun Sep 29, 2019, 03:29 PM

Sep 2019

and have an Advantage Plan.

Although I'm astonishingly healthy and essentially never bother with doctors. The little I've used I've been very pleased.

WheelWalker

(9,186 posts)

9. I, too, am astonishingly healthy given my age, that I had a coronary 16 yrs ago, and have used pot

Reply to PoindexterOglethorpe (Reply #7)

Sun Sep 29, 2019, 04:05 PM

Sep 2019

daily since 1968. I especially appreciate the prescription drug coverage under my MA plan.

PoindexterOglethorpe

(26,544 posts)

11. I often say I have the Republican health care plan.

Reply to WheelWalker (Reply #9)

Sun Sep 29, 2019, 08:17 PM

Sep 2019

I don't get sick.

In my case, I really don't get sick, unlike so many others that can't afford a doctor or a medicine or a treatment.

Sherman A1

(38,958 posts)

3. Just went into Medicare and Supplement program this year

Reply to PoindexterOglethorpe (Reply #1)

Sun Sep 29, 2019, 02:00 PM

Sep 2019

so far so good. It does take some getting used to as I need referrals from the GP for about everything I do which I didn't before with my Union Health Plan, but I am getting the Silver Sneakers program and some OTC meds each quarter for free, my Rx's are less and I have no premium beyond what Medicare charges me anyway. So I'm okay with it at this point.

Response to Sherman A1 (Reply #3)

Sucha NastyWoman This message was self-deleted by its author.

asiliveandbreathe

(8,203 posts)

4. This is great info...made me read my annual notice of changes..2020

Reply to Sherman A1 (Original post)

Sun Sep 29, 2019, 02:08 PM

Sep 2019

BC/BS of AZ Advantage (HMO)-Maricopa County and parts of Pinal County..

Monthly - $39..no change
Max Out of pocket - increase to $4250 - from 3200...yikes...

Turbineguy

(38,256 posts)

5. Our premiums are decreasing

Reply to Sherman A1 (Original post)

Sun Sep 29, 2019, 02:09 PM

Sep 2019

from $167 to $190.

The AARP (American Association of Rinkled People) must have taken math lessons at Trump U.

Sherman A1

(38,958 posts)

6. My coverage price stayed the same

Reply to Turbineguy (Reply #5)

Sun Sep 29, 2019, 03:24 PM

Sep 2019

which is what Medicare charges me each month and my coverage improved in several areas. Perhaps it is time for you to shop around?

Turbineguy

(38,256 posts)

10. An excellent suggestion!

Reply to Sherman A1 (Reply #6)

Sun Sep 29, 2019, 04:33 PM

Sep 2019

Last edited Wed Oct 2, 2019, 06:25 PM - Edit history (1)

I created an account at medicare.gov and qualify for 33 supplemental plans. I am in the second most expensive plan. I like what's covered and it's worldwide coverage. It will take some time to compare plans. I stayed with the same provider I had when I had private insurance and so nothing changed as far as Doctors went but coverage improved when I transitioned to Medicare.

It's strange that the 80% coverage portion costs $135 per month and the 20% coverage portion costs $167.

Update: So I called Premera and they have exactly the same plan as I have now for $55 per month or a total savings of $3490 per year. They said "The benefits are the same, the pricing is different!"

sinkingfeeling

(52,941 posts)

8. I've paid $0 month for my Coventry Advantage plan for

Reply to Sherman A1 (Original post)

Sun Sep 29, 2019, 03:54 PM

Sep 2019

the last 4 years. They've been sucked up by Aetna. Still $0 a month. PCP charge of $5 and specialist visits went up to $50. Have $0 deductibles.

Sherman A1

(38,958 posts)

12. Had Coventry when I was working and it seemed to be pretty good

Reply to sinkingfeeling (Reply #8)

Mon Sep 30, 2019, 04:54 AM

Sep 2019

Now on Medicare I have switched to Essence and not bad now, getting better next year it seems from the recent updated book I’ve received.

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