Social Security & Medicare

nbsmom

(647 posts)

35. The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) can help.

Thu Oct 17, 2024, 09:28 AM

Oct 17

SHIP is your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program. SHIP provides unbiased help to Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers. Whether you are new to Medicare, reviewing Medicare plan options, or have questions on how to use your Medicare, SHIP can help.

You can learn more about SHIP here: https://www.shiphelp.org/

Since I’m in California, I know more about HICAP. (HICAP is part of the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).)

HICAP offers a variety of services, including:

Counseling on Medicare, Medicare supplement insurance, managed care, and long-term care planning

Help with disputed or denied Medicare-related medical bills

Representation in administrative legal hearings

Community education on Medicare and health insurance issues

Right now, HICAP is offering webinars for people who are trying to figure out what to do with their MA plans (go back to traditional Medicare, get a supplement, etc.)

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34 Million Seniors in Medicare Advantage Plans Face Rude Awakening [View all] douglas9 Oct 17 OP

I TOLD YOU A LONG TIME AGO-and they have made it where you cannot get out once you are part of Stargazer99 Oct 17 #1

How and when can I switch from Medicare Advantage to traditional Medicare? douglas9 Oct 17 #2

I was told that they have made it that once you are on one of the medicare advantange programs Stargazer99 Oct 17 #3

You can be denied access to medigap insurance. Voltaire2 Oct 17 #5

Getting off is no problem. You will be back to only the bare Medicare with the 20% match (I think) LiberalArkie Oct 17 #6

It can be a problem switching to medical if you have lots of health problems already EYESORE 9001 Oct 17 #7

Yes, that is the problem. But going to "regular Medicare" is not a problem. LiberalArkie Oct 17 #16

We were duped into Medicare Advantage by our union. That was 14 years ago. doc03 Oct 17 #18

Depends droidamus2 Oct 17 #22

If you were in MA for 18 months or more Voltaire2 Oct 17 #36

The problem is not Medicare but private advantage plans and supplemental plans hot2na Oct 17 #14

Many folks can't DownriverDem Oct 17 #15

They're attacking moreland01 Oct 17 #17

That's often not how it comes across Doc Sportello Oct 17 #29

Yep DownriverDem Oct 17 #32

My husband turns 65 moreland01 Oct 17 #37

Sorry you didn't understand Doc Sportello Oct 17 #43

Not true DownriverDem Oct 17 #31

Anything named Medicare XXX is not really medicare. Dyedinthewoolliberal Oct 17 #19

Do you understand DownriverDem Oct 17 #34

when enough people are on these MA plans, MEDICARE WILL CEASE TO EXIST Skittles Nov 15 #47

It is really confusing, and it is meant to be. markodochartaigh Oct 17 #39

The same can be said for the entire insurance industry mdbl Oct 17 #10

The phone calls have started. multigraincracker Oct 17 #4

Our healthcare system is a disgrace and getting worse. Lonestarblue Oct 17 #8

A lot of the senior staff in CMS (the US agency that administers Medicare and Medicaid) are planted erronis Oct 17 #21

imagine what will happen NOW Skittles Nov 15 #48

By them cancelling MA plans NHvet Oct 17 #9

Erronis warned me about this long ago. Bumbles Oct 17 #11

Shit, guess I need to check this out. I was just assuming continued coverage with similar benefits. lark Oct 17 #12

The US markodochartaigh Oct 17 #13

Wow! That's close to what I have said for decades. barbaraann Oct 17 #38

with MA, they literally make more profit the less care they authorize Skittles Nov 16 #49

I would suggest that MA people switch to Medicare's supplement with United Healthcare's Plan F. ancianita Oct 17 #20

Or Plan G for younger folks Auggie Oct 17 #23

Sure, whatever the most benefits that are affordable. (Hope you're not being sarcastic, cuz I've not heard of Plan G.) ancianita Oct 17 #24

No sarcasm. Plan F was phased out a few years ago. Auggie Oct 17 #27

Plan F is being grandfathered. I think. yorkster Oct 17 #30

I hear you. I'll take your word for it. ancianita Oct 17 #40

When we first went on Medicare about 12 yrs. yorkster Oct 17 #44

Yes, that's when I signed off Medicare Advantage and onto United Healthcare Plan F through my pension fund. ancianita Oct 17 #45

I have Plan G and so far, so good. QED Oct 17 #26

Might vary by state, but Farm Bureau Plan F was the cheapest by hundreds per month for Plan F when I signed up a few yrs SheltieLover Oct 17 #33

Thank you. Great post because it's so helpful! ancianita Oct 17 #41

You are most welcome! SheltieLover Oct 17 #42

I was on MA years ago. Jacson6 Oct 17 #25

My agent told me yesterday all the things my plan reduces for next year. So niyad Oct 17 #28

The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) can help. nbsmom Oct 17 #35

I may choose to bail on my MA plan this year ThoughtCriminal Oct 17 #46