Open Enrollment for Medicare Traditional or Advantage. Why you should Pick Traditional

I broke this comment by Deb Schultz (comments section “Traditional Medicare Open Enrollment is Now”) into three different segments to emphasize each part. Deb and I talked once before. I agree with her comments. It is worth reading so you understand the issues. Please read.

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“Is this open season for Traditional Medicare available only to those currently enrolled in Medicare Advantage?  Everyone has an eligibility period within becoming 65 to enroll in Traditional Part B. 

The problem is that if you opt for MA rather than Traditional Medicare B plus a Medigap and a Part D plan, you don’t ever get a second penalty free chance to enroll in Traditional Medicare or in a Medigap plan. 

If you are dropping MA for Traditional Medicare, you will pay 10% per 12-month period from the time you were first eligible for Medicare in additional premium rate.  As for medigap, you will now be exposed to medical underwriting.  Medicare Part D has always been and will still be a crap shoot for you.  I think many people don’t realize the costs of choosing on the basis of what appears cheapest when you are relatively young and feel fine.  And from my perspective, this idea of “choice” is the biggest con of all.  People don’t  have adequate information or ability to assess these “choices”.  And if they choose badly, there is no protection for them.”