Medicare, Medigap, and Part D decisions

[OzzieandHarriet]

If you're under 65, I guess you can skip this post ...

I'm about to start on Medicare. I can remain on my husband's retiree plan and either do only Medigap or what they call the Comprehensive Plan, which includes a generous prescription drug plan (it's supplemental + drug, so I wouldn't need to do Part D). Medigap only would be $84/month (current premiums); the comprehensive plan including drugs would be $215/month (don't know what the copays are, if anything). If I don't sign up for either of these options now, I will never be able to do it.

My thinking is that the coverage without the drug plan is a yes. However, because currently I only need one inexpensive drug plus two topical ointments on a regular basis, and not monthly, the drug plan seems like overkill. With this usage, I can get a plan elsewhere for as little as $7/month plus copays. But I know that could change if I develop some disease or condition that requires expensive drugs.

Any of this would be on top of the Medicare premium, which I'm pretty sure will be the $170/month amount.

I have seen advice that it's best to shop drug coverage yearly because the plans change all the time.

Does anyone who's been through this have any advice on making this decision?

[deborah]

It’s hard to know how you’ll age. I’m told that the best indication is what’s happened to the older members of your family - especially your parents. My father died a year ago at 93, and was never prescribed any drugs (he had eye drops), but my 92 year old mother is on 15 medications. Hers are all cheap, so I guess, if I was in your situation, that would indicate that I probably wouldn’t need the extra cover.

[OzzieandHarriet]

I just had a conversation with one of my sisters (who has multiple medical problems), and she advised me to take the full coverage. We have a family history of cancer (several flavors) and diabetes, and those can blow up costs staggeringly. I don't have any of the ailments that she has, but I suppose it could happen.