Changes in Medigap Plans, I knew this would be coming!

[Penelope]

As of 2020, Medicare Supplement plans (AKA Medigap) will no longer sell new Medigap Plan C or F. Congress has decided that new Medigap plans will no longer be allowed to cover the Part B deductible after January 1, 2020. This will only affect plans C and F and will only impact certain beneficiaries as explained below.

How is Medicare Changing in 2020?

Congress believes that by requiring all Medicare members to pay their part B deductible this will reduce medical overuse. Since Medigap Plans C and Medigap Plan F* are the only plans that cover the part B deductible, they will be the only plans affected by this change.

Who is Impacted by the 2020 Medigap Change?

New enrollees on or after 1/1/2020 will no longer have the option of Medigap Plan C or Medigap Plan F. All other plans currently available should still be available for purchase. Anyone enrolled in a Medigap Plan C or Medigap Plan F as of 12/31/2019 will be “grandfathered” and able to continue with their plan as long as want. So if you currently have a plan F you will be able to keep it.

2020 Medigap Changes: No New Plans C and F - Senior65

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Even if you will be grandfathered the prices will go up significantly, they want them to be phased out and they will increase prices so much you won't be able to afford them.

 

[WillowTree]

Oh! So! If you like your insurance plan you can keep it!

 

[debbiedowner]

As of 2020, Medicare Supplement plans (AKA Medigap) will no longer sell new Medigap Plan C or F. Congress has decided that new Medigap plans will no longer be allowed to cover the Part B deductible after January 1, 2020. This will only affect plans C and F and will only impact certain beneficiaries as explained below.

How is Medicare Changing in 2020?

Congress believes that by requiring all Medicare members to pay their part B deductible this will reduce medical overuse. Since Medigap Plans C and Medigap Plan F* are the only plans that cover the part B deductible, they will be the only plans affected by this change.

Who is Impacted by the 2020 Medigap Change?

New enrollees on or after 1/1/2020 will no longer have the option of Medigap Plan C or Medigap Plan F. All other plans currently available should still be available for purchase. Anyone enrolled in a Medigap Plan C or Medigap Plan F as of 12/31/2019 will be “grandfathered” and able to continue with their plan as long as want. So if you currently have a plan F you will be able to keep it.

2020 Medigap Changes: No New Plans C and F - Senior65

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Even if you will be grandfathered the prices will go up significantly, they want them to be phased out and they will increase prices so much you won't be able to afford them.

This was put in place under Obama but why does it really matter? Plan G has the same coverage except you would have to pay the part B deductible and if one cannot afford to pay the part B deductible one cannot afford the monthly premium's of a Medicare supplement. Besides doesn't matter which party they both want you to transition to a Medicare Advantage plan.

 

[Penelope]

As of 2020, Medicare Supplement plans (AKA Medigap) will no longer sell new Medigap Plan C or F. Congress has decided that new Medigap plans will no longer be allowed to cover the Part B deductible after January 1, 2020. This will only affect plans C and F and will only impact certain beneficiaries as explained below.

How is Medicare Changing in 2020?

Congress believes that by requiring all Medicare members to pay their part B deductible this will reduce medical overuse. Since Medigap Plans C and Medigap Plan F* are the only plans that cover the part B deductible, they will be the only plans affected by this change.

Who is Impacted by the 2020 Medigap Change?

New enrollees on or after 1/1/2020 will no longer have the option of Medigap Plan C or Medigap Plan F. All other plans currently available should still be available for purchase. Anyone enrolled in a Medigap Plan C or Medigap Plan F as of 12/31/2019 will be “grandfathered” and able to continue with their plan as long as want. So if you currently have a plan F you will be able to keep it.

2020 Medigap Changes: No New Plans C and F - Senior65

--------------------------------------------------------
Even if you will be grandfathered the prices will go up significantly, they want them to be phased out and they will increase prices so much you won't be able to afford them.

This was put in place under Obama but why does it really matter? Plan G has the same coverage except you would have to pay the part B deductible and if one cannot afford to pay the part B deductible one cannot afford the monthly premium's of a Medicare supplement. Besides doesn't matter which party they both want you to transition to a Medicare Advantage plan.

Really, I don't fine that to be true, esp if one is on O2, COPD meds (nebulizer meds are covered under medicare and plan B), has multiple diagnosis and the have a few different specialists as well as a family physician, and get labs to monitor their condition a few times a year , like a few people I know do. Medicare Advantage plans are the same ,copays and high deductibles, and you pay for Medicare as well.

But you will be right, since they are ending the medigap plans they will raise the prices to where its cheaper for the above patient.

No medigap plans use to be widespread and it wasn't changed during the Obama years. I know a lot of people that have medigap plan B.

 

[Penelope]

Medicare Part B: What Services Are Covered?

 

[debbiedowner]

As of 2020, Medicare Supplement plans (AKA Medigap) will no longer sell new Medigap Plan C or F. Congress has decided that new Medigap plans will no longer be allowed to cover the Part B deductible after January 1, 2020. This will only affect plans C and F and will only impact certain beneficiaries as explained below.

How is Medicare Changing in 2020?

Congress believes that by requiring all Medicare members to pay their part B deductible this will reduce medical overuse. Since Medigap Plans C and Medigap Plan F* are the only plans that cover the part B deductible, they will be the only plans affected by this change.

Who is Impacted by the 2020 Medigap Change?

New enrollees on or after 1/1/2020 will no longer have the option of Medigap Plan C or Medigap Plan F. All other plans currently available should still be available for purchase. Anyone enrolled in a Medigap Plan C or Medigap Plan F as of 12/31/2019 will be “grandfathered” and able to continue with their plan as long as want. So if you currently have a plan F you will be able to keep it.

2020 Medigap Changes: No New Plans C and F - Senior65

--------------------------------------------------------
Even if you will be grandfathered the prices will go up significantly, they want them to be phased out and they will increase prices so much you won't be able to afford them.

This was put in place under Obama but why does it really matter? Plan G has the same coverage except you would have to pay the part B deductible and if one cannot afford to pay the part B deductible one cannot afford the monthly premium's of a Medicare supplement. Besides doesn't matter which party they both want you to transition to a Medicare Advantage plan.

Really, I don't fine that to be true, esp if one is on O2, COPD meds (nebulizer meds are covered under medicare and plan B), has multiple diagnosis and the have a few different specialists as well as a family physician, and get labs to monitor their condition a few times a year , like a few people I know do. Medicare Advantage plans are the same ,copays and high deductibles, and you pay for Medicare as well.

But you will be right, since they are ending the medigap plans they will raise the prices to where its cheaper for the above patient.

No medigap plans use to be widespread and it wasn't changed during the Obama years. I know a lot of people that have medigap plan B.

C & F were on the chopping block 3 years ago, that was under Obama. When plans are frozen as people die off and there isn't any premium's to into that block of business it's only natural the rates on those 2 plans may go up.

Why Is Medicare Supplement Plan F And Plan C Going Away?
Legislation has passed the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) in 2015 to prohibit the sale (on or after January 1, 2020) of Medigap plans that pays for Part B deductible to NEW Medicare beneficiaries. Since Medicare Supplement Plan F and Plan C cover copays, deductibles, and coinsurance, the government is concerned since there aren’t many out-of-pockets costs for individuals with these plans, patients will be seeking medical attention more often than needed, hence, causing Medicare to spend more money.

Beginning 2020, all Medicare beneficiaries will be subject to a Part B deductible.

Medicare Supplement Plan F & C Going Away | Plan Medigap

Your last sentence does not make sense. Yes, and they will still have plan B.

 

[debbiedowner]

Part B of Medicare and Plan B are two different things. I very well aware what Part B covers.

 

[Penelope]

Part B of Medicare and Plan B are two different things. I very well aware what Part B covers.

Well obviously I meant Part B of Medicare. Regardless its going to be more out of pocket money for seniors. You right it became a bill in 2015 to take effect on 2020.

Many will get Medicaid to supplement, if on a low income, hopefully.

 

[Penelope]

They use Chip for everything, seems the GOP in 2015 was unwilling to reauthorize chip, unless they could get huge cuts to Medicare.
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House Republicans adopted a 2016 budget in a 228-199 vote on March 25, 2015. The budget would increase defense spending close to $96 billion, well above President Obama’s $58 billion request. The budget would balance in nine years by cutting $5.5 trillion in spending over the next decade, most of which would come from programs that serve people of limited means.

The House Budget cuts Medicare by $316 billion, and moves to a “premium support” model to begin in 2024; combines Parts A and B deductibles; cuts Medicaid by $913 billion, not including repeal of the ACA’s Medicaid expansion, for a total cut of about $1.7 trillion; converts Medicaid into a block grant; rescinds the Administration’s ability to issue waivers for work requirements in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program; converts SNAP to a State Flexibility Fund.

Budget Committee Democrats offered 27 different amendments, including such amendments as “Preventing the End of Medicare as We Know It,” with lead sponsor Rep. Lujan Grisham, blocking the “premium support” model. All of the Democratic amendments were rejected.

April 2015 – The Potential Impact of the “Doc Fix” & Other Issues || Center for Medicare Advocacy