Best advice I've ever gotten is to find an independent broker. I found mine by referral from my cancer center. I have a financial counselor and she is the best. She referred me and it was a relief.

Traditional Medicare always. I’m both a nurse practitioner and a survivor. I meet so many patients that don’t get traditional Medicare and aren’t able to get the services they need. You can add a supplement plan

@A MyBCTeam Member I've got Medicare as my primary insurance and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee as my secondary insurance. I joined AARP a while back and tried to get United Health Insurance but they were trying to make me go through an underwriter. I had a letter from Medicaid stating that I was dropped because I had "aged out" at age 65. So I didn't have to go through an underwriter and wouldn't be penalized. Insurance can't refuse you because of prior illnesses but they will try to charge you a higher premium because of it. I never got to speak to U.S. Representative of that insurance company. They outsource to other countries!! I also sent the copy of that letter that made me exempt having to go through an underwriter. I never heard back from them. I got my Part D prescription plan through AARP. My good friend referred me to her insurance broker. My friend explained to her what had happened with Medicaid and United Health. I sent her the copy of the letter of exemption and she did her research. God sent me an angel! She found a supplemental plan with BCBSTN that I could afford! I've had No problems with my insurance or my prescription plan. I have Medicare A and B. It covers 80% and my supplemental covers the 20%. Most brokers want you to choose the Advantage plans. Yes, they're cheaper and you get the perks with it, but you have to go to Their doctors within their network and have to get approved first. I wasn't about to change doctors ! So I still have my same doctors, no co-pays up front. Also brokers make a commission on that person as long as they carry that plan. Here in Tennessee Vanderbilt medical hospital has stopped accepting Medicare Advantage plans! People, especially the elderly are without coverage if they wish to continue to go there. They've had these policies for years. Now they're no good. It should be against the law!! Good luck in your search! Brokers don't charge anything either. They're counting on you choosing an Advantage plan for the commission. Take care.🤗❤️👍

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A MyBCTea...

Carmen, it doesn't seem fair, because we are kind of locked into keeping the government insurance, so there is less incentive for the insurance company to stay competitive with rates. It sure seems with so many retirees, we should have been able to get better rates than what we do. But, so far, since qualifying for both I have not had much of a copay except for a few dollars for the two generic blood pressure meds I take.

Please do not choose a Medicare Advantage plan. It will only cause you trouble in the end. They may sound good at first but since we all here have chronic conditions relating to our diagnoses it's better to pay a monthly premium in order to get the best care possible. I got one when I retired and have never had to pay any out of pocket expenses from day one and I am not limited to who I can see. And yes choose an independent broker to guide you through the process. One other thing I did before choosing was to ask my doctor's office what insurance company or companies they thought were best in regards to paying claims and who they trusted most. They are the ones that deal day in and day out with these types of insurance companies and can give you a better perspective on your final decision. Cheaper is not always better although I understand we all have a budget we must follow. Is it better to get a cheap policy only to discover down the road that you are stuck with it when it will no longer be accepted to the places where you need to go in order to get the care you need?