You really might want to consider the former employer's pharmacy plan - but where I'm a bit confused... if your husband goes for the pharmacy plan for drug coverage and that proves satisfactory - why would there be a need for a switch to the Medicare Part D in 2012? He would, in effect, be dropping his creditable coverage and that creditable status doesn't carry over to a new plan (ie Medicare Part D because they don't care what you might have had), and would be subject to the forever penalty. Creditable is just comparing what you have against whatever else is out there. An actuarial firm determines that your plan offers Rx coverage that is equal to or better than Medicare Part D. Should be easy enough for him to get the boiler plate notice of "creditable" insurance for drugs from his former employer to keep in his files if he goes with what they're offering. In fact, it's a requirement that the notice be sent each year. It's an unimpressive few sheets of paper stating simply: The Society (I'm retired from the Nat'l Geographic Society) is required to issue this annual notice to participants. Then it goes on to explain Medicare Part D, why I don't need it, why I can't be covered for drugs under more than one plan, and what happens if I drop what I have for something else. I still think that the Medicare Part D penalty is imposed whenever it is not signed up for when you initially become Medicare eligible at 65. Guess I would check with the former employer - HR there should be on top of what they offer. And I'd call Medicare too - or your closest SS office. I found the people at our Social Security office really helpful - on the phone and in person.

Did you look at the AARP plan? My mom and aunt had that one--up till last year, it was a lot less than what you're saying you're paying (I don't know about now), and mom and aunt rarely had to pay anything for their medical needs (I know once mom went to the eye dr. and ended up owing .50!--and the dr. asked for it, do you believe!). When Aunt had an ER visit/hospital stay/rehab stay because of a burst appendix--she paid only $100 for the ambulance ride between the hospital and rehab facility. Medicare and her AARP insurance picked up EVERYTHING else. You do need to speak with someone in your area, who understands insurance, and who is NOT trying to sell you anything. How about contacting your local senior advocacy center--they generally have knowlegeable people who can help you, or can direct you in the right direction to find someone. Good luck.

A few minutes ago I saw a post from about six weeks ago where someone asked if anyone had any advice about Medicare supplemental insurance. I am about 70% of the way through reading a Kindle book (price is $5.99) entitled Medicare Demystified: A Physician Helps Save You Time, Money, and Frustration, written by Ronald Kahan, an M.D. who specializes in Dermatology (although his specialty doesn't come into play in this.) I turned 65 last summer, and although I do have Medicare Part A (hospitalization), I do not have Medicare Part B (medical) because I am still covered by my husband's group insurance through his employment as a state employee. But, he is retiring soon and that means I will have to sign up for Medicare Part B. I, too, had a zillion questions and much confusion about Medicare supplemental insurance (also referred to as Medigap insurance). The state retiree system has a whole bunch of choices for Medigap insurance, and I wanted to ensure that I made an intelligent, informed choice. I highly recommend this book. No, you don't need a Kindle to read it. Amazon has free readers you can download onto virtually any device -- desktop computer, laptop, tablet, mobile phone, etc. This book clearly explains Medicare (often referred to as Original Medicare), including Parts A (Hospitalization), B (Medical), C (Medicare Advantage), and D (Drugs), as well as Medigap Insurance (Medicare Supplemental Insurance). It gives a lot of different scenarios and explains how they would affect you depending on which coverage you do or don't have. Considering the escalating costs of medical treatments, $6 is well worth it to avoid the angst and extra money paid out that would be the result of making the wrong choices.

Gosh, I hate this whole procedure. I'm also seeing that medicare supplements are hugely more expensive for 2016. We've had Plan F high deductible in 2014 and 2015, paying under $100/month. Looks like more than DOUBLE for the same coverage next year -- and very little difference in premiums between high deductible and the comprehensive straight Plan F. I'm wondering if we will even GET a supplemental plan next year. I have yet to meet the deductible ($2800) after my hospital stay for pneumonia. (Medicare paid almost everything.) I'd have been better off not paying premiums! We have to do Part D (drug plan). Fun and games running the numbers of who will charge you less for any maintenance meds -- two for DH and one for me (Adviar, at $300/mo. retail). This is a cockamamie system we have in the US.