OT, Advice on Part D provider

[purple]

I will soon enroll in another Medicare Part D provider. Strangely, the one which looks most interesting is

Humana Enhanced (PDP)
(S5884-020-0)

which feels like a contradiction in that, Humana insurance generally seems to have a lot of complaints about them.

No this is not the DME program, but the Prescription Drug Provider for my Medicare plan. Has zero deductible, a monthly premium of $44.10.

For my current prescription list, they seem to be not a killer monthly co payment cost, but surely more than I want to pay.


What is there about this Humana insurance I am not seeing?

[oak]

Most states or counties now have a "senior and disability" resource center where you can get the scoop and compare all of these plans to find the best one for you. Google under senior resources or similar with the state or county name where you reside and there should be a link to the resource center for your state or county. I used to work in a county that had this resource and the benefit specialists, as they were called, were wonderful in helping make sense of all the supplemental plans based on your health conditions and medications, health equipment, etc.

Google search: "senior resources + state" or "benefit specialist + county" etc

Hope this helps.

[Janknitz]

EVERY state has a FREE Medicare benefits counseling program. In most states it's called "SHIP" (State Health Insurance Program) but in California it's called HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program). You can find the one for your state on the back of your Medicare and You booklet or on Medicare.gov

But they won't tell you what you're really wanting to know--whether they're a PITA to deal with. So you do have to ask around from people who are really on that plan. What state are you in? May be someone else here is on that plan or knows someone who is.

[oak]

In the midwest it is not called SHIP. In MN it is called Senior Linkage and in WI, for example, it is called Aging and Disability Resource Center. You have to google it as I mentioned, or you can tell me the name of the state you live in and I can research it for you.

[purple]

The Medicare web site shows how others have rated a provider. Which is not always completely useful. One of the top rated plans is the most expensive, which means those who rate the plan, also have the money to pay for it.

Meaning I want something spectacularly good, and for it to be inexpensive. Which is impossible.

I live in Texas. and I will look into the other places which rate these things. Thank you jan Knitz and others for your replies.

[hyperlexis]

Every year I have to go through this mess with my parents and I hate it. One of the most confusing, frustrating tasks out there. There are quality ratings to compare so maybe the exact specific Aetna plan you are considering has been rated. The whole system is just an abomination because of the sheer complexity and difficulty navigating and comparing plans -- the only real way to get the best idea of things is to use the online system on Medicare.gov, unless you can get someone else to do it for you, either in your family, or by calling one of the SHIP agencies or Medicare's toll free help line. Basically you need to type in each and every drug you take, the strength, and the number of times you take it each day/week, etc. This is because different plans cover different drugs and some are 'preferred' priced while other plans' drugs may not be. The online software then calculates the grand total estimated costs per month and year of each Medicare drug and or health plan (Medicare Part C "Advantage" all-in-one plan) available in your county, based on your drugs. It sorts the costs by the plans that cover your particular drugs, then those that do not. You can sort by cost, or by customer ratings, etc. Ultimately the plans are all pretty expensive, when you consider all the premiums, deductibles, and additional Part A+B costs as well.... Pick the cheapest that has your drugs. Or switch to a similar drug, covered by a cheaper plan. I believe it suggests options for those too. There are so many factors to consider, I doubt most people can even make heads or tails of the system, especially seniors. Part D is a shining example, from a practical standpoint, why that Medicare privatization plan that was shot down last year, to offer vouchers to the elderly to go find their own insurance, would be a disaster.

Good luck whatever you pick!

[oak]

Here it is: Its done in person with a real human being who can help you evaluate various medicare supplement plans. I cant vouch for TX, but in the midwest they are wonderful resource and are great with all sorts of questions:

http://www.pascenter.org/state_based_st ... tate=texas

[oak]

Hyperlexis, the state of Illinois doesn't seem to have as many resource centers as other states, but here you go:

http://www.pascenter.org/state_based_st ... e=illinois

It really helps to have a person go through this stuff with you in person rather than try to punch a bunch of numbers and info in online.

[Wulfman...]

I will soon enroll in another Medicare Part D provider. Strangely, the one which looks most interesting is

Humana Enhanced (PDP)
(S5884-020-0)

which feels like a contradiction in that, Humana insurance generally seems to have a lot of complaints about them.

No this is not the DME program, but the Prescription Drug Provider for my Medicare plan. Has zero deductible, a monthly premium of $44.10.

For my current prescription list, they seem to be not a killer monthly co payment cost, but surely more than I want to pay.


What is there about this Humana insurance I am not seeing?

Both my wife and I have the Humana Enhanced PDP and (so far) it has paid very well. Apparently, you have gone to their site to investigate the costs by zip code.

https : // www . humana-medicare . com/ad/bookmark . asp

From what you posted, the prices must vary by region, as my monthly premium is about $5.00 a month less than what you stated for your zip code in Texas.
Yes, I've read and heard "things" about Humana, but from our personal experiences, they're pretty good. If that changes, we can select a different one in a future year enrollment period.


Den

.

[chunkyfrog]

Both of our Part D supplements go up by over 12 bucks a month, and generics may not be free any more.
We started in August--looks like we may have to switch already. At least I have the SHIIP rep on my phone list.

[hyperlexis]

Hyperlexis, the state of Illinois doesn't seem to have as many resource centers as other states, but here you go:

http://www.pascenter.org/state_based_st ... e=illinois

It really helps to have a person go through this stuff with you in person rather than try to punch a bunch of numbers and info in online.

Thanks I will check into it. It's all about numbers anyway. Either they have to type the drugs into the system or I will. There's no way of getting around it anyway. A time consuming mess.