General Discussion

I pay $284 month for a Medicare supplement. I have major medical conditions that put me in the hospital often and require frequent doctors visits. I don't understand how Medicare Advantage is thought of as cheaper when you have to pay constant co-pay amounts plus the maximum out-of-pocket is often higher than what I pay per year for a supplement. In my situation I am paying a higher premium per month but I never get a medical bill. My sister's husband has a Medicare Advantage plan and is currently getting cancer treatment. They have been slammed with constant co-pay amounts and a $6,000 out of pocket.

I think if you are relatively healthy and don't need a great deal of medical treatments it may be cheaper to have a Medicare Advantage plan. I have a friend (age 71) who is in that situation. She is very healthy and her Medicare Advantage plan is low cost and works well for her. For people like me I think Medicare with a supplement is the way to go. Also, if people aren't aware, there are cheaper Medicare supplement plans. You can get a plan where you pay $20 or $50 co-pays that still provides the same coverage as a comprehensive plan but the premiums cost much less per month. There are also high deductible plans that also have lower monthly premiums. So there are lower cost supplement options available although I realize for some they still may be cost prohibitive.