Another very informative video Cameron. Thanks. My sister who lives in PA changed her Plan G to Plan N last August and had to go through underwriting. She did it online right through the insurance company's website and was approved within minutes. If she wants to do it again in the future, I've already told her that she needs to go through an independent agent. She ended up saving $64/mo.
That's a good amount of savings for sure! Like you said, no reason not to go with a broker next time, since with almost all Medigap companies there are no differences in premiums when using a broker for extra help.
Giardini always does a great job clarifying these issues. Having said that, in NYS, no medical underwriting is EVER allowed. So, if you live in NYS? Relax
What about changing if you move to a non birthday/no medical underwriting to change state if you have a medigap plan that is nation wide (eg AARP/United Healthcare)? Does moving to another state allow to change without medical underwriting or because they offer plans in all states you have to keep the plan you have in the new state? I have G and in some states AAPR/UNC now offers 2 versions of G. One with "extras" (the original one they offered) and in my state as of June 2023, a G without the "extras" that for me is $70 cheaper. I likely fail medical underwriting so I can't just switch. Also these medical forms for underwriting when they ask if you have experienced X in the last Y years do they mean new diagnosis within Y years (so a diagnosis older than that isn't an issue) or does that mean if you have ever been diagnosed with X even if not treated for it currently. Or if you have been diagnosed with X more than Y years ago but are currently taking meds for it. For example I have had 3 cancer diagnoses, but no treatment since 2011 (although one is an incurable blood cancer) , but I have an annual follow up where I am still in remission. So how do you answer the cancer diagnosis question? Not been treated nor newly diagnosed in the last Y years, but am followed but still in remission... Thanks
@@GiardiniMedicare Thank you. I am trying to figure out how to go from AARP/UHC G with "extra free benefits" to their new G they offer without them. So technically I'd still have G just a "different" extras (or lack there of) G with the same parent company (UHC). The no benefits one is about $70/mo cheaper which means, of course, they lied and these extras weren't free for the last 5 years (for me anyway) with their new (as of June 2024 in my state) plan without them is much less. It seems to me that would mean I have a guaranteed rights situation (eg they lied) however UHC claims since a different subsidiary does the new G therefore they have nothing to do with each other even though the parent company is the same. UHC claims that (but wouldn't let me go up the chain to see if the first line person knew what they were talking about). I might be stuck temporarily moving to a state (eg move, move back after staying there for whatever length of time is required) with both G's and the birthday rule or equivalent. Sigh.
@@kidsandliz It's definitely an unfortunate situation, but whoever you have talked to at UHC is correct that they don't have to give you GI even to switch from one Plan G to another with the same company. Are you sure you wouldn't be able to pass underwriting with a different Medigap company? That seems like the logical next step
@@GiardiniMedicare I haven't looked yet. In this state they are the only ones with a community rated risk pool and I was thinking about premium rates when I am much older when I originally chose a company (and also didn't choose F since, in effect, that would have had no younger people in it either which would eventually drive costs up faster; I have been on medicare since October 2018). My biggest problem is a cancer with no cure but a long life span (one of the indolent blood cancers) that requires an annual check which UHC said would cause me to always fail medical underwriting even though I haven't been treated since 2011 (not to mention other chronic conditions that are on some of the lists you posted, although some I haven't received/been told to have treatment for.). Which companies (if you feel comfortable posting that here - I live in MS so can't use your company or I would have called to make an appointment) have the most lenient standards for medical underwriting? I appreciate you answering my questions.
@@kidsandliz The ongoing cancer diagnosis really does complicate things like you said... UHC tends to have fairly lenient underwriting, and I would have to agree with them that your ability to pass underwriting with another carrier is going to be limited. Overall, your logic for choosing UHC in the beginning was sound, so don't beat yourself up about the decision now! I know it doesn't help with cost savings, but at least you have a Medigap plan currently regardless of the price you could pay with other plans. Although we don't work in Mississipi, if you use this link, you can at least connect with someone we know who does: gmedicareteam.com/map/ They may not have a solution, but maybe they will know something we don't... Just keep in mind that right now during AEP everyone is swamped, so I would recommend checking with them after this enrollment period since you can change Medigap at any time of the year.
Another very informative video Cameron. Thanks. My sister who lives in PA changed her Plan G to Plan N last August and had to go through underwriting. She did it online right through the insurance company's website and was approved within minutes. If she wants to do it again in the future, I've already told her that she needs to go through an independent agent. She ended up saving $64/mo.
Plan N is the future with Medicare I say…….as long as the sickest stick with plans F and G
That's a good amount of savings for sure! Like you said, no reason not to go with a broker next time, since with almost all Medigap companies there are no differences in premiums when using a broker for extra help.
Excellent topic. Thank you for posting this helpful video.
Thanks!
Giardini always does a great job clarifying these issues.
Having said that, in NYS, no medical underwriting is EVER allowed. So, if you live in NYS? Relax
Exactly! At least relax until you see the prices of the Medigap plans😅
If you have arthritis, forget it
Usually depends on the type (rheumatoid vs osteoarthritis) as well as the severity
What about changing if you move to a non birthday/no medical underwriting to change state if you have a medigap plan that is nation wide (eg AARP/United Healthcare)? Does moving to another state allow to change without medical underwriting or because they offer plans in all states you have to keep the plan you have in the new state? I have G and in some states AAPR/UNC now offers 2 versions of G. One with "extras" (the original one they offered) and in my state as of June 2023, a G without the "extras" that for me is $70 cheaper. I likely fail medical underwriting so I can't just switch.
Also these medical forms for underwriting when they ask if you have experienced X in the last Y years do they mean new diagnosis within Y years (so a diagnosis older than that isn't an issue) or does that mean if you have ever been diagnosed with X even if not treated for it currently. Or if you have been diagnosed with X more than Y years ago but are currently taking meds for it.
For example I have had 3 cancer diagnoses, but no treatment since 2011 (although one is an incurable blood cancer) , but I have an annual follow up where I am still in remission. So how do you answer the cancer diagnosis question? Not been treated nor newly diagnosed in the last Y years, but am followed but still in remission...
Thanks
Moving to another state doesn't let you change Medigap plans without underwriting
@@GiardiniMedicare Thank you. I am trying to figure out how to go from AARP/UHC G with "extra free benefits" to their new G they offer without them. So technically I'd still have G just a "different" extras (or lack there of) G with the same parent company (UHC). The no benefits one is about $70/mo cheaper which means, of course, they lied and these extras weren't free for the last 5 years (for me anyway) with their new (as of June 2024 in my state) plan without them is much less. It seems to me that would mean I have a guaranteed rights situation (eg they lied) however UHC claims since a different subsidiary does the new G therefore they have nothing to do with each other even though the parent company is the same. UHC claims that (but wouldn't let me go up the chain to see if the first line person knew what they were talking about). I might be stuck temporarily moving to a state (eg move, move back after staying there for whatever length of time is required) with both G's and the birthday rule or equivalent. Sigh.
@@kidsandliz It's definitely an unfortunate situation, but whoever you have talked to at UHC is correct that they don't have to give you GI even to switch from one Plan G to another with the same company. Are you sure you wouldn't be able to pass underwriting with a different Medigap company? That seems like the logical next step
@@GiardiniMedicare I haven't looked yet. In this state they are the only ones with a community rated risk pool and I was thinking about premium rates when I am much older when I originally chose a company (and also didn't choose F since, in effect, that would have had no younger people in it either which would eventually drive costs up faster; I have been on medicare since October 2018). My biggest problem is a cancer with no cure but a long life span (one of the indolent blood cancers) that requires an annual check which UHC said would cause me to always fail medical underwriting even though I haven't been treated since 2011 (not to mention other chronic conditions that are on some of the lists you posted, although some I haven't received/been told to have treatment for.). Which companies (if you feel comfortable posting that here - I live in MS so can't use your company or I would have called to make an appointment) have the most lenient standards for medical underwriting? I appreciate you answering my questions.
@@kidsandliz The ongoing cancer diagnosis really does complicate things like you said... UHC tends to have fairly lenient underwriting, and I would have to agree with them that your ability to pass underwriting with another carrier is going to be limited.
Overall, your logic for choosing UHC in the beginning was sound, so don't beat yourself up about the decision now! I know it doesn't help with cost savings, but at least you have a Medigap plan currently regardless of the price you could pay with other plans.
Although we don't work in Mississipi, if you use this link, you can at least connect with someone we know who does: gmedicareteam.com/map/
They may not have a solution, but maybe they will know something we don't... Just keep in mind that right now during AEP everyone is swamped, so I would recommend checking with them after this enrollment period since you can change Medigap at any time of the year.
Like always another great video.
Ky just started a "Birthday Rule."
Just talked about it at the 15:48 minute mark of our last video!: ua-cam.com/video/RMUcdLYj-1U/v-deo.html