Thank you Charlie and Craig. This information is helpful.
Craig - Are you saying you got a Plan F supplement without state underwriting? Interesting.
Thanks.
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Re: SSDI Medicare vs. private insurance (younger patients)
Meglet,
Yes. I received a Plan F without underwriting (not sure why you called it "state underwriting"; I believe it's the carrier underwriting you).
Not all states require insurance companies to issue Medigap / supplemental policies to individuals under 65 (i.e., mostly, if not exclusively, disabled bodies). I believe (I say "I believe" a lot because everything is real confusing, is dependent upon your state, and I'm still recovering from chemo brain) states can allow insurers to
a) deny policies to under 65 via underwriting.
b) charge more than over 65 customers,
c) charge the same as over 65 customers.
There are industry terms for setting rates based upon age, or your open enrollment period, but I can't recall them right now.
Before open enrollment expired, I was considering moving to a different state that guaranteed issuance or 'right to issue' and establishing residency (no requirement period that I am aware of) for the sole purpose of obtaining the Medigap plan of my choice. Once insured I could move to another state that the insurer did business in, albeit I might be charged a new premium based upon region, but I could maintain my coverage. "I believe" Texas is a 'right to issue' state and doesn't allow / require insurers to underwrite. I was advised Pennsylvania fell under category 'C' above and had some of the most affordable Supplemental Policies for those of us under 65 because their rates aren't set specifically based upon age. Pennsylvania insurers probably make up for it in the over 65 crowd.
If you can, you will want to obtain a policy from a solid insurer who does business in most states and most likely will be in business for years to come because you won't want to go through this barrel of monkeys again before your 65th birthday. "I believe" once we turn 65 all this underwriting talk and pre-existing conditions become mute.
Good luck. I spent weeks working on this very problem. I have talked to a lot of insurance agents that have no clue with regard to specific states and supplemental policies and told me they could write a policy, only to find out otherwise. Just about the time I felt I was securing a Medigap plan F policy I think I determined I might be guaranteed an Advantage Medicare policy, but that was my last result because my providers recommended against it. Although all my claims this year haven't been processed, it is now late July and I've had my UAMS workup and I still haven't met my deductible. A good problem to have.
Yes. I received a Plan F without underwriting (not sure why you called it "state underwriting"; I believe it's the carrier underwriting you).
Not all states require insurance companies to issue Medigap / supplemental policies to individuals under 65 (i.e., mostly, if not exclusively, disabled bodies). I believe (I say "I believe" a lot because everything is real confusing, is dependent upon your state, and I'm still recovering from chemo brain) states can allow insurers to
a) deny policies to under 65 via underwriting.
b) charge more than over 65 customers,
c) charge the same as over 65 customers.
There are industry terms for setting rates based upon age, or your open enrollment period, but I can't recall them right now.
Before open enrollment expired, I was considering moving to a different state that guaranteed issuance or 'right to issue' and establishing residency (no requirement period that I am aware of) for the sole purpose of obtaining the Medigap plan of my choice. Once insured I could move to another state that the insurer did business in, albeit I might be charged a new premium based upon region, but I could maintain my coverage. "I believe" Texas is a 'right to issue' state and doesn't allow / require insurers to underwrite. I was advised Pennsylvania fell under category 'C' above and had some of the most affordable Supplemental Policies for those of us under 65 because their rates aren't set specifically based upon age. Pennsylvania insurers probably make up for it in the over 65 crowd.
If you can, you will want to obtain a policy from a solid insurer who does business in most states and most likely will be in business for years to come because you won't want to go through this barrel of monkeys again before your 65th birthday. "I believe" once we turn 65 all this underwriting talk and pre-existing conditions become mute.
Good luck. I spent weeks working on this very problem. I have talked to a lot of insurance agents that have no clue with regard to specific states and supplemental policies and told me they could write a policy, only to find out otherwise. Just about the time I felt I was securing a Medigap plan F policy I think I determined I might be guaranteed an Advantage Medicare policy, but that was my last result because my providers recommended against it. Although all my claims this year haven't been processed, it is now late July and I've had my UAMS workup and I still haven't met my deductible. A good problem to have.
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blueblood - Name: Craig
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 54
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