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Medicare Question

NadiaSookar
NadiaSookar Member Posts: 2 Member
in Caring for a Parent

Hi everyone,

My mom was just diagnosed with Alzheimer's (mild) state. She currently has Medicare under an Advantage Plan - United Healthcare. Because of her new diagnosis, we are considering moving her back to Original Medicare in order to have more options for care. Does anyone have advice about this (i.e. having Original Medicare vs. an advantage plan) with a dementia diagnosis. Is there a preferred option?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

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Comments

  • btrackwell
    btrackwell Member Posts: 6
    5 Care Reactions First Comment
    Member

    I was recently diagnosed with ALZ and have a Medicare advantage plan with United Healthcare. When I called my insurance guy to switch to supplemental he did some research on supplemental plans. Unfortunately having the diagnosis of ALZ disqualifies me from affordable plans as I am now in a different category. He found supplemental plans that would take me with a cost of 400-500 dollars a month. My united healthcare plan has an out of pocket limit of $3800 with is less than 400-500 a month. So he advised me not to switch. But run it by your insurance agent.

  • Victoriaredux
    Victoriaredux Member Posts: 327
    250 Likes 250 Insightfuls Reactions 100 Comments 25 Care Reactions
    Member
    edited December 2025

    My opinion; Medicare Advantage plans are fabulous - for insurance companies. They throw in a few goodies and get real power over what they will cover.

    With , hopefully,new treatments coming in the future - and they won't be cheap- keeping choice would matter to me more than a free pair of eyeglass frames or a gym discount. Again, my opinion.

    Next open enrollment period look for unbiased [not by a salesperson] talks in your area about the differences and how changing plans work in your state.

    Here is a source : https://www.shiphelp.org/

    I've attended a few on line talks through the years - some on line & some in person at local health libraries. Speaker quality varies - some have been fantastic , some just read [it seems] cards — I always learn something new . The one I heard this year was the best ever . I wanted to hear about the annual changes.

  • harshedbuzz
    harshedbuzz Member Posts: 6,931
    Ninth Anniversary 1,500 Insightfuls Reactions 1,500 Likes 5000 Comments
    Member

    Not all MAPs are created equal.

    That said, MAPs do not offer any benefits associated with the GUIDE program which could be useful depending on the family and state in which they live.

    https://www.cms.gov/priorities/innovation/innovation-models/guide

    HB

  • April23
    April23 Member Posts: 207
    100 Comments 25 Care Reactions 25 Insightfuls Reactions 25 Likes
    Member
    edited December 2025

    I would contact an elder law attorney before switching. Make sure you understand the rules and what is required.

  • JulietteBee
    JulietteBee Member Posts: 620
    250 Likes 250 Care Reactions 500 Comments 100 Insightfuls Reactions
    Member

    My DM has an Advantage plan from years before her diagnosis. If you have certain conditions, or under 65, the required supplement proves to be cost prohibitive. You can get many advantage plans with little or no plan premium, depending on whether it is a PPO or HMO.

    Personally, I had BCBS for many years until a few of my prized providers were no longer in-network. I've since then switched to Humana PPO with absolutely no regrets.

Commonly Used Abbreviations


DH = Dear Husband
DW= Dear Wife, Darling Wife
LO = Loved One
ES = Early Stage
EO = Early Onset
FTD = Frontotemporal Dementia
VD = Vascular Dementia
MC = Memory Care
AL = Assisted Living
POA = Power of Attorney
Read more

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