MEDICARE ADVANTAGE: Growth Projections Are Stunning.

[BobbyMcGee]

$52 for a MA plan? If they cost money here I probably wouldn't offer it much at all either.

When I can give someone a plan that cost $0, refunds $99.90 of their part b premium, has a MOOP of $3200, and bundle it with a hosp. Indemnity plan with cancer coverage for under $40. It's a no brainer.

Supps are great if they have the $$. $1200 give back in Fl. per yr. vs. $2500 plan f supp with D costs = $3700 swing. Now add the wife......

 

[bluediamond]

I was on group with $2,000 deductible, 50/50 up to $15,000 moop, before turning 65 and now I'm on the Medicare Advantage with $5900 oop. I have not had anyone in the past year turning 65 that has not gone the med advantage route that has come off a group. I believe the younger 65's that are used to group oop's will be the growth of the future.

 

[Chazm]

Supps are great if they have the $$. $1200 give back in Fl. per yr. vs. $2500 plan f supp with D costs = $3700 swing. Now add the wife......

Problem with the give back plans is that in some areas the networks suck, like in Orlando. But in one county over, Polk county, the network is pretty good.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not pushing MAPD plans, I like doing med supps too but sometimes there's just better other options.

 

[ChicagoProducer]

I've never sold an MAPD or MedSupp plan, but I'm gearing up for the upcoming season. I'm choosing MA because of the attractive $0 premium in my area (Chicago). And like an earlier poster wrote, I'll look at combining an HI+Cancer plan to offset the OOPs. That's my plan at least...

 

[hammerken]

I have sold them and Med Supp policies all over the country. The rule of thumb I see is that if you live in an area like I do, Southern CA (Or FL, most of TX, AZ, Chicago, NY, Souhern NV, parts of GA and the Carolinas, VA) Med Advantage is very competitive. Due to high amounts of capitation in these areas and the fact that Seniors tend to vote I think that even with the upcoming cuts that in these areas they still will be. I have been selling these plans locally and in the last 6 years have sold only one Med Supp in this area. Northern CA. is the exact opposite.

 

[BobbyMcGee]

Problem with the give back plans is that in some areas the networks suck, like in Orlando.

I haven't really seen this. Sometimes you have to "work the plan" to get the best Doc. They sometimes won't give up the best Doc for the job right away. Don't settle. If you like your HMO doc and the Specialists, the testing facilities are pretty much all the same and Nobody really like Hospitals, but you have to have the one your client approves of.

 

[Chazm]

I haven't really seen this. Sometimes you have to "work the plan" to get the best Doc. They sometimes won't give up the best Doc for the job right away. Don't settle. If you like your HMO doc and the Specialists, the testing facilities are pretty much all the same and Nobody really like Hospitals, but you have to have the one your client approves of.

I just tell them, are you looking for the part b refund? If they say yes, I check their dr. and if he's not in the network I tell them their options. Luckily I mostly work outside of my area, Orlando, and work in Polk county where the good plans are with a nice network.

 

[Todd King]

I would say it is the "...Seniors on very limited income who are attracted by the lower overall premium cost...", that are driving the majority right now.

One other factor to consider about the MA; is there Part D attached? (MAPD). That's another cost factor.

 

[Chazm]

I only do MAPD here in fl

 

[msurrano]

Based on this eye-opening news article today, UnitedHealth, Humana May See Surge in Medicare Advantage - Bloomberg I'm now going to get certified to sell Medicare Advantage plans with 2, or perhaps 3, good carriers.

I looked at one from Humana last year for my dad in Michigan, but the out-of-pocket expenditures for medical care were stunningly high, compared to Standard Medicare mated with a Plan "F" MedSupp.

But if Medicare Advantage participation is going to grow a whopping 50% over the next 10 years, I'd be a fool not to at least have it in my portfolio of offerings.

Who's driving the growth of these Medicare Advantage plans the most.. Is it Well-To-Do Seniors who don't mind paying the high out-of-pocket costs? Or is it Seniors on very limited income who are attracted by the lower overall premium cost? Other some other demographic?

-Allen

i read that there is about 14 million ma enrollees, and by 2016 there is supposed to be around 10.....interesting article.