
Helping friend choose Guaranteed Issue plan G
Thanks to the 2 members who pointed out that her guaranteed issue is plan F, not plan G, due to her age. Either the SHIP counselor didn't ask her age or didn't understand guaranteed issue.
I have more research to do.
------------------------------------------------------------------
A good friend (76 y.o.) has lost her retiree medical due to their spouse's passing. She has Original Medicare; the retiree insurance acted as their supplement. I'm trying to research options for her before she reaches out to a broker for the actual enrollment. I prefer she use a broker so she has a client services person to reach out to if there are any claims/billing issues in the future.
She has guaranteed issue, and does not want an Advantage plan. I've left off Physican's Innovative G since I don't want her dealing with the initial high deductible. We do not have a birthday rule in our state.
Looking at the plan G options for our zip code on Medicare.gov, these are in increasing cost order. There are more than this list, but they are all higher priced:
SilverScript Insurance Company $152 <-- new Aetna book of business opened last year
Insurance Company of North America $165 <-- Chubb's new book of business this year which appears to be an Ace company, but Chubb's explicitly-named Ace offering has filed to leave our state's market, so I'm suspicious of this one
Medico Insurance Company (Preferred) $172 <-- becoming Wellabe (believe this is their non-tobacco-user rate, which she would qualify for)
American Benefit Life Insurance Company $173
LifeShield National Insurance Company $174
GPM Health and Life Insurance Company $183
Nassau Life Insurance Company $185
Medico Insurance Company (Standard I) $189 <-- becoming Wellabe (believe this is their tobacco-user rate)
HealthSpring Insurance Company $197 <-- old Cigna, have read of customer service/website issues
AFLAC $200
Physicians Select Insurance Company $213 <-- Physician's Mutual opened 3 years ago after closing previous book
WoodmenLife $220
Mutual of Omaha (Omaha Supplemental Insurance Company) $238
Globe Life and Accident Insurance Company $240
AARP - UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company (Standard) $247
I'm not familiar with a number of these and wanted to get others' input and experiences. My initial thought might be the Medico/Wellabe preferred, but it's one of those that I'm not familiar with.
Thanks for any insight on these options.