Help! My head is spinning about Medicare supplement plans!

I'm fearing calling Medicare because, well, I've learned first-hand just how incompetent our government employees can be! They do have a program where I could meet with someone to go over all this but I honestly don't want to depend entirely on what one government employee tells me, especially after all the crap they've put me through in the last seven years! The more I read, the more I'm confused. There's "Medi-gap" programs, Medicare Advantage programs, Supplemental Insurance programs, prescription-only plans, blah blah blah. Plus, there are at least 100 different plans from different companies, different monthly premiums, different deductibles, different benefits, etc. AAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!

Gap insurance pays for what your main insurance doesn't pay for, I know that much. If you have a chronic condition, it's usually wise to get that--or so I've heard. My mother has it because of her back and she's used it occasionally and says it's worth having.

The thing I don't understand is that most of these Medicare Advantage plans also offer gap insurance. Why in the world isn't that just one thing? I mean, if they're going to cover what they don't pay for, that's just plain stupid. I think they make it so confusing so we'll sign up for way more than we need so they'll make more money. I did determine that I need gap insurance last night. I got that far before shutting everything down before I threw my laptop through the window. The horrible part of all this is that it looks like I'll be paying MORE with Medicare than what we're paying now for coverage under my husband's plan at work, and that's not cheap! We're paying over $350.00 right now for my insurance plus medication co-pays. It looks like I'll be paying that much or more with this Medicare! I thought Medicare was supposed to HELP us. Sure, right. Uh huh. Stupid government. We not only get nothing for free but if they're going to "give" us anything at all, it'll cost us plenty! And this is supposedly what I worked for almost 40 years to get? Ripoff! Well, anyway, thanks for contributing to my piggy bank, anyway. It just might help me pay for this awesome "service" from our government.

Thank you, LM! I'll look around today to see what I can find. I'll also check out these sites. I was planning on looking at the Humana site because I picked up a pamphlet about it at the pharmacy. But, going to Medicare's website is more confusing than anything I've ever come across! Hmmm, I might try emailing my neighbors. A few of them are on Medicare and they might have a preference that I can check out. But, in the meantime, I'll be checking out the sites you've listed. They're as good as any to start with, huh? If you don't see me for awhile, it means I've lost my mind copletely and I am now in the place referred to in my username.

The uhc.com is United Healthcare & I know they are considered to be reliable. One of their commercials claims that they have wonderful explanations on their site. You don't need to give personal info just to get the info. The commercial sure did make it look easy to figure out the Medicare Plans so you will know what supplemental plans to look for. 800-592-0813 is the AARP help line for Medicare Supplement understanding. AARP will refer you to their preferred insurance companies, but it could be a place to start.

Thanks again. I just closed the Humana website. At first, it seemed so simple but, once I got down to the nitty gritty, it became just as confusing as everything else. I'll head on over to UHC now. I used to have United Healthcare and liked them for everything except prescription costs. They wanted $50.00 each for most of my monthly medications! I'm sure their Medicare supplement or Medicare Advantage plans are different but... Well, I'll check it out next.

Oh you poor thing I find it bad enough when I have to fill my Paperwork out for claiming towards my rent lol I think I would given up long ago with your Form there I do hope that she can help you as you certainly need some help there

Hi Leenie. What does Evercare cost per month? I didn't get to choose... I never got Medicaid. I went straight to Medicare, without any notice or anything. I found out I was eligible for Medicare when I called to find out what the heck was going on with my case. The next thing I knew, I got the Medicare card in the mail, with no explanation or any other information.

Thanks, gypsy. I spoke with the insurance broker where my husband works. I'll be staying on my husband's insurance. It looks like it will be a LOT less money each month to stay on his insurance because the co-pays for my meds are a lot cheaper than they would be on Medicare. I'll actually be saving about $200.00 a month on his insurance. Plus, I have dental and vision insurance through my husband's work. I wouldn't have that with Medicare. I feel so less stressed now that I've made that decision! I can spend the next year learning more about Medicare if I want and join it next year during open enrollment if I can find a cheaper way to go about it but, right now, it's much less expensive to stick with what I have.