Medicare Part B Premium Rebate

[OnMyWay]

This applies to U.S. citizens.  An Angeles City expat told me that he gets a big rebate on his Medicare Part B Premium because he enrolled in a particular Medicare Advantage plan.  He gave me the name of the Florida insurance company but I have not investigated yet.

Then today I saw an ad for a Medicare service aimed at expats, for free help to help find such a deal.  I'm sure they get commissions.  I will carefully investigate.

Do we have any members who have a Medicare Advantage plan like this?  This could be a big savings for those of us who pay the Part B premium.

This is FB:

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/ScXwNHugryMKmd9R/?mibextid=Z719m6

[Mike J]

24 minutes ago, OnMyWay said:

This applies to U.S. citizens.  An Angeles City expat told me that he gets a big rebate on his Medicare Part B Premium because he enrolled in a particular Medicare Advantage plan.  He gave me the name of the Florida insurance company but I have not investigated yet.

Then today I saw an ad for a Medicare service aimed at expats, for free help to help find such a deal.  I'm sure they get commissions.  I will carefully investigate.

Do we have any members who have a Medicare Advantage plan like this?  This could be a big savings for those of us who pay the Part B premium.

This is FB:

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/ScXwNHugryMKmd9R/?mibextid=Z719m6

I think this URL explains what his post references?   The "who is eligible" would indicate that it would not apply to expats?

https://www.humana.com/medicare/medicare-resources/part-b-giveback-benefit

[OnMyWay]

56 minutes ago, Mike J said:

I think this URL explains what his post references?   The "who is eligible" would indicate that it would not apply to expats?

https://www.humana.com/medicare/medicare-resources/part-b-giveback-benefit

I didn't read read that link but it appears to be Humana specific.  If you look at the Facebook link, they are targeting expats not living in the U.S.

Why?  They may have found a niche market that can generate income for them.  If the overseas Medicare client has to make an expensive trip to get treated, claims my be very low in volume.  As discussed in another topic @MikeB, going to Guam or the U.S. doesn't really work out often.  Small stuff, not worth it.  Emergencies, no time, etc.  If they rebate most of your premium, they may still have an income stream going to them from Medicare.  Speculation on my part at this time.

It took me a while, but I found the post.  It was not in an expat group, it was in an Expat Insurance group.  I will post her only his text, not the questions.

i kept my Medicare Part B and got a Medicare Advantage Plan also. No premium at all and with my plan they will reimburse me $150 of my $174 Medicare Part B premium.

i have a virtual mailing address within my network. It is also where i used to live. They are aware i live in the Philippines and would only come for emergencies.

Honest Care through Gold Kidney Health. They are out of Arizona. The plan is only good in Arizona and Florida.

I just noticed that another guy says he has the same plan.

In the FB link, they are promoting an app that will help you find a plan.  I will give it a try.

If this is all on the up and up, the American guy who runs the insurance FB, and represents Pacific Blue, should promote it.  The savings on the Medicare Premium would pay for a Pacific Blue premium.

[OnMyWay]

1 hour ago, Mike J said:

The "who is eligible" would indicate that it would not apply to expats?

The other link says the the requirement is to have your Social Security mailing address in the area.  My Social Security address is in Florida.

[OnMyWay]

Medicare open enrollment ends tomorrow, Dec. 7!

[OnMyWay]

I downloaded the app and filled in the questionnaire.  I'm not sure if they can get back to me in time to make the open enrollment.  They said they will arrange a phone interview.

[MikeB]

7 hours ago, OnMyWay said:

Do we have any members who have a Medicare Advantage plan like this? 

Any of the MA give-back plans will pay back all of part of Part B. I have had an MA Optimum Healthcare plan since 2018. The main rap against the give back plans is that they are HMOs so you have to go through your PCP to get a specialist referral but I have not had a problem there and they have paid everything. At least with Optimum there's not much difference in coverage that I can see but the PPOs cost more. But everything I have read says you cannot enroll in an MA if you are living permanently outside the US. 

[MikeB]

6 hours ago, OnMyWay said:

Medicare open enrollment ends tomorrow, Dec. 7!

No more screaming commercials, Hallelujah!

[OnMyWay]

2 hours ago, MikeB said:

Any of the MA give-back plans will pay back all of part of Part B. I have had an MA Optimum Healthcare plan since 2018. The main rap against the give back plans is that they are HMOs so you have to go through your PCP to get a specialist referral but I have not had a problem there and they have paid everything. At least with Optimum there's not much difference in coverage that I can see but the PPOs cost more. But everything I have read says you cannot enroll in an MA if you are living permanently outside the US. 

From the perspective of someone who does not plan to make claim and only wants to reduce the cost, most of that is not important.  I'm going to give it a whirl later tonight and will report back.

Edited December 6, 2023 by OnMyWay

[Joey G]

12 hours ago, OnMyWay said:

Do we have any members who have a Medicare Advantage plan like this?  This could be a big savings for those of us who pay the Part B premium.

I have Federal BC/BS and started getting get a $800 annual bonus for electing the Basic Option when I picked up Medicare at age 65.  FEP BC/BS doesn't care where I live.  The $800 is tax free as well...