You are right, it pays 80%, not 70%. Which means the supplement pays even less and is more expensive than I was thinking. Thie is after an annual deductible for Part A and Part B.
A Medicare supplement plan pays most or all of the fees Medicare does not pay, less a deductible. Mom's is bare bones. Now that they charge $1000 to admit you to a hospital, Medicare doesn't pay that nor does her supplement. She cannot upgrade to a better plan as her medical history is pretty expensive, though very successful.
A Medicare Advantage Plan cherry picks younger seniors and replaces Medicare. The problems are that, over the past 30 years, every Medicare Advantage plan has gone belly up. The current ones say they will not, but I have seen a few go by the wayside. Also, they will not pay for many expensive procedures unless you meet certain restrictions, the most common one being "so close to death that it no longer matters." One of my uncles had lung cancer and had an Advantage Plan. It worked great for him. But he was one of the lucky ones.
I don't understand the out of pocket question. Sorry.
Medicare has major advantages. Most importantly, seniors can get it, which they cannot do with private insurance in most cases. Also, Medicare treatments are MUCH less expensive, across the board, than those private insurance cos. have to pay. Medicare has size clout. Private insurance has none. The out of pocket costs will be much less, even without the supplement. Medicare is also much more efficient than private insurers. |
