We've done well with Medicare Parts A and B, and have used Tricare for Life (TFL) as our prescription drug coverage (Medicare Part D) and as the Medicare supplemental. Traditional Medicare gives you the most options for physician access in the community. I would advocate caution if considering a Medicare Part C plan ("Medicare Advantage Plan"). Part C plans are run by private insurers who are paid a fixed amount by Medicare to provide insurance. These plans keep their costs down (and their profits up) through provider networks and frequent reimbursement cuts to physicians, as well as challenging or denying claims. Physician groups will often simply "opt out" of these plans when the offered reimbursement and/or the harassment package of claim denial simply isn't worth it, leaving you to look for another group "in network", or pay the "out of network" penalty. At least one of these companies is now the subject of a class-action lawsuit regarding claim denial.
https://arstechnica.com/health/2023...derly-out-of-rehab-nursing-homes-suit-claims/
TFL pays what Medicare doesn't so we haven't had any significant bills other than the premiums for both Medicare and Tricare. I have used the VA only for hearing aids. Several reasons for that. As Taxi1 says, I recommend readdressing your VA disability status every few years, and immediately upon the discovery of new health conditions. There might be money on the table that you don't want to leave behind.
Medicare will use your income from prior tax years to calculate your premium, so be prepared to renegotiate your payments if your income goes down the same year you hit Medicare eligibility. The process isn't hard, but it is time consuming.
Living in a no-income tax state is a plus in my opinion, but if you've planned for that expense, it probably is a wash.
Great thread, by the way.
V/R
