Jrand and Singdaw:
I've had a Medicare Advantage plan since 2014, when I first qualified for Medicare, and have been very happy with it. I'm currently with my second plan -- I changed a few years ago to United Healthcare Focus. I pay NO monthly premium, have ZERO copay for PCP and specialists, and the few copays I've had have been quite reasonable. In recent years I had a procedure done with one of LA's best surgeons. Medicare was billed $9K, but I was billed nothing, except a copay of $12 for a tube of Lidocaine. I never expected to have such good insurance! I also receive 20 acupuncture visits and 20 chiropractor visits each year with no copay, and free annual eye exams. The insurance also covered a couple hundred dollars off my last pair of prescription sunglasses.
I'm currently with Cedars-Sinai and was with UCLA with the first plan. I have many issues with how we practice medicine in general, but my gripes are with the medical groups -- not the insurance. I'm getting the highest quality health care available in LA. Prior to Covid, United Healthcare had excellent patient advocates/customer service people, but I think many of them must have left as the current crop seems less experienced.
There are many Medicare Advantage plans out there and they seem to be pretty competitive. I would encourage anyone with Medicare to look into them. They're a real bargain.
