Social Security & Medicare

my goal was to pick the best with respect to customer service because if all Plan F's are the same with very little difference to the premiums in one's geographic location - then the only thing that is different is how the companies treat their customers once you buy into a plan.

I called each company and asked them the same series of questions which applied to my situation at the time. Many companies tried to answer the questions but didn't give decent answers. Some companies couldn't be bothered answering questions and one had to go through an agent to purchase their plans. Very few companies had good telephone personnel that had the patience to listen, discuss and answer questions and offer good advice. My thought was I wanted to go with one of these companies because - when I'm needing to use the insurance - these are my first point of contact - so this was critical to me.

The other criteria I used was to review all their websites and see what they had to offer that would make my using their company easier, more understandable, etc.

I finally decided to pick Humana - as they had the best telephone personnel that were pleasant, courteous, informative and helpful. They provided me with the best answers to my questions and even alerted me to a Plan F that was a little more expensive than other companies Plan F's - but also had a Vision and Dental benefit. This Vision and Dental benefit didn't provide the type of coverage of more expensive Vision and Dental plans one could purchase on the open market - but it provided the basics which for me was a plus - as I never had Vision & Dental before I turned 65 with my Blue Cross & Blue Shield plan - which was very costly.

So now I have Medicare Part A & B through the government. The Plan F Supplement with V & D through Humana and Part D through AARP/United Healthcare - which for me was the least expensive plan as I don't use many prescription pharmaceuticals and those that I do are available as generics and very inexpensive.

The cost of my coverage before Medicare (turning 65) was $3700.00 every 2 months - just for me (one person). I am now paying around $425 per month for everything. I saved a ton of money turning 65 and I now have the best coverage I've had in my life.

With respect to my vision - my eyedoctor determined I had a medical necessity and had to get some special contact lenses that are more expensive than those that I have been using. He wrote the necessary letter to the insurance plan - and they now cover the cost of those lenses. This alone has paid for the little extra premium that I pay for that special Humana Plan F.

One thing you have to remember is you don't have to resign oneself to be treated badly by companies. I am a stickler for demanding good customer service and that was my number one criteria for picking Humana. Remember if you settle for less that's what you will get.

My feeling is that people that Medicare age and above and in need of medical services are at a point in life where good customer service is most important. People that are sick don't need to be hassled by the very people/companies that they are paying their premiums to.

More of us need to demand more and better customer service from companies and pick companies based on their ability to deliver. That is the only way they will improve and provide better customer service. That is what distinguishes one company over another. My feeling is - yes - companies are different. We have to ferret out those companies that are better and trade with them over the ones who's customer service SUCKS. That is the only way those SUCKY companies will improve - when they start losing business to those that do their job for the hard earned money you pay.