True Story Tuesday: Real Medicare Wins and Pitfalls from Five Beneficiaries

Welcome to Real Easy Medicare’s True Story Tuesday with Al Kushner! In today’s episode, Al shares five authentic beneficiary experiences—each illustrating crucial lessons about choosing and managing Medicare coverage.

1. Mary’s Advantage Trap (Ohio)
   • Opted for a zero-premium Medicare Advantage plan at 65
   • Plan didn’t cover her rheumatoid arthritis medication
   • Missed Medigap Open Enrollment, faced underwriting and higher premiums
2. Robert’s $200/Month Savings (Arizona)
   • Stuck in an expensive Part D plan with Original Medicare + Medigap
   • Used Medicare.gov Plan Finder to switch to a lower-cost prescription plan
   • Reduced annual drug spend from $4,800 to $2,400
3. Linda’s Enrollment Penalty (Undisclosed)
   • Delayed Part B after losing spousal employer coverage
   • Missed the 8-month SEP, incurred a permanent 10% premium penalty and coverage gap
4. James’s Flexibility Strategy (Florida)
   • Enrolled in Part B, Medigap Plan G, and a backup Medicare Advantage plan
   • Kept Medigap active to retain guaranteed issue rights when switching back
5. Patricia’s Advantage Success (Texas)
   • Verified provider network and prescription formulary before enrolling
   • Enjoys low costs and extra benefits (dental, vision) two years in

Key Takeaways:

• No one-size-fits-all solution—evaluate total costs, not just premiums
• Timing and deadlines are critical for enrollment and plan switching
• Annual coverage reviews can uncover significant savings
• Guaranteed issue rights preserve your flexibility

Next Up: Wisdom Wednesday—advanced strategies and insider insights from Al’s 40-year Medicare career.