A little late, as today is the last day for Medicare Open Enrollment - 12/07. First time I noticed this thread.
I retired a little before 65; went on my wifes private plan. She's younger. COBRA health plans were a little stiff - $$$.
Her employer allowed spouses to be added to her private plan. I was in it for about 3 years, but eventually the private rate for employee/spouse escalated substantially. It was time for me to go on Medicare. I first had to obtain proof that I had been in a legit plan that included RX; otherwise, Medicare would have imposed a $$ penalty for Part D/Rx and you pay that penalty every month for the rest of your life. Again, when it comes time to go on Medicare, buy an RX plan or an Advantage Plan that includes RX to avoid paying a penalty later.
I started out with an Advantage Plan. The plan included Rx and Vision. Dental was offered as an add-on. I passed. All I do these days are biannual cleanings and my investigation revealed that Medicare dental plans are not all that lucrative. If you have serious dental issues, a dental add-on might help. You'll need to analyze cost-to-coverage in order to know if it's right for you. I knocked out all major dental issues before retiring. Consider doing the same if possible.
My Advantage Plan had 0 deductibles and was a PPO, hence the cost that was a bit higher than others, but as in all things, you get what you pay for.
Beware of those 0 pay Advantage Plans. Many have very high deductibles and/or an HMO. The HMO route in my opinion is fine when your 25 yrs. old and all you ever get is a cold. PPOs will get you to a better physician when you're older or at least one you prefer. That's why they call them PPOs. For those of you who are unaware, Medicare gives a portion of the Medicare B money deducted from your Social Security check each month to your Advantage Plan provider. This partially explains the "free" Advantage Plan offers that pop up on TV all of the time.
Just recently I switched to a Medicare Supplement Plan. This put me on basic Medcare A & B + what I get from the Supplement. I had to buy an Rx policy - Medicare D. Rx is not included with a Medicare Supplement as they usually are with an Advantage Plan. I found one with a zero co-pay for tier 1 & 2 drugs. I take no drugs and tier 3 and above are about what you would expect under most Medicare Rx Plans. The Advantage Plan I was on paid well, but I only go to the doctor once a yr. for blood work/physical and every May for an anti-biotic prescription to kill whatever it is that crawls up inside my nasal passages. I have the blood pressure of a healty 18 yr. old; not diabetic, healty heart, no COPD or anything else scary.
Something some may not know about Medicare Supplements Plans...
When you turn 65, you have a 6 month window to apply for one. Within that window, you are able to purchase a supplement WITH pre-existing conditions in most situations. If you attempt to purchase a Medicare Supplement past this window, your health will need to be solid; else you'll be rejected. Those things I mentioned above that I do not have, plus others, will keep you out of a Supplement Plan. I spent an hour and a half on the phone with a Supplement Agent when I bought this type of coverage. I don't know how many times I was asked "have you ever had or do you have...". I had to pinch myself to keep from falling asleep during the conversation. You can buy an Advantage Plan online without verbal converation with a company rep. Supplement Plans require a LONG phone conversation as you will be screened for pre-existing conditons if applying outside of the window mentioned above. The call could very well last awhile as well if you're calling when you first turn 65.
A Supplement Plan will cover high $$$ expenses that are limited in an Advantage Plan or straight Medicare A/B. I switched to the supplement not for today, but down the road should my health suddenly deteriorate and hospital bills start piling up.
Supplements cost more than Advantage Plans. In my case, the Supplement I purchased will cost approx. $55 a month more than my Advantage Plan. For me, the additional coverage is worth the cost.
Another benefit to a Supplement Plan is nationwide coverage. Not all, but many Advantage Plans are good only for the immediate area you are in. Should you require medical attention outside your area, your Advantage Plan may disappoint you. Also, you cannot be cancelled from a Supplement Plan unless you fail to make payment or the insurer finds you made untrue statements during the application process.
The following provides information about the appeals process should a claim be denied under the various offerings:
https://medicare.com/resources/know-medicare-rights-youre-denied-coverage/
For those of you new to Medicare, it's important to understand that plans/rates vary across the country. If it's financially feasible, you might want to think long-term and not how things are going for you when you first apply for Medicare.
And NO...I am not a health insurance salesman; just a guy sharing his Medicare experiences thus far.