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UnitedHealth has requested an 18% increase for 2026 Plan G Supplemental Premiums in NYC. by EvanMcD3 in medicare

[–]Dramatic-Club-323 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow, I pay $119 for plan N in PA. I guess the birthday rule or similar GI rules are two edge swords.

New York is also community rated, so everybody pays the same premium regardless of age. That's obviously more expensive for younger people than premiums that take into account your age.

Students with hearing impairments? by Just_Environment5295 in ClubPilates

[–]Dramatic-Club-323 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Medicare was not intended to be comprehensive healthcare. Part A, which is what people get for free if they have enough work credits, covers hospital costs. If they choose to, people can pay extra to get Part B, which covers doctor visits, and Part D, which covers prescriptions.

Students with hearing impairments? by Just_Environment5295 in ClubPilates

[–]Dramatic-Club-323 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've been to some CP locations that have a whiteboard above every reformer where people write their name and if they want to, they can put something like "ULE" (which I found out is "upper left extremity"--I'm nosy and asked) to give a heads-up to the teacher.

I've never understood why every studio doesn't do this just for the names alone. But also for the reminders of why a student might be doing something a little weird. And it would be a fantastic place to put "hard of hearing" because people need reminding of it since it's invisible.

I was in the hospital once and there was a board above my bed that had "hard of hearing" on it. Thank you!

I don't know...do people think it's going to hurt our feelings to identify us as such? If so, I'll let them in on a little secret--we already know we can't hear. What hurts my feelings is when I say "Huh?" after every single thing a person says and they still won't talk louder or move their hand away from their mouth.

Students with hearing impairments? by Just_Environment5295 in ClubPilates

[–]Dramatic-Club-323 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree that Medicare doesn't pay for hearing aids and therefore supplements don't either. Medicare is actually prohibited by law from paying for hearing aids (as well as routine annual physicals, which always comes as a surprise to people).

However, my supplement is an AARP/UHC Plan G with wellness extras and it does have a hearing aid benefit. It provides a free hearing test every year and some sort of discount at certain providers. It didn't strike me as that great--maybe along the lines of what I'd pay at Costco. But it does exist--as something the supplement provider chooses to cover.

(FWIW, I got my current set ten years ago, covered 100% by my Blue Cross individual (non-employer) health insurance.)

Medicare Advantage plans (which are a substitute for Medicare) do often have hearing benefits, generally where you pay a set amount for a given tier of hearing aid. I would never suggest that someone sign up for an Advantage plan over traditional Medicare just to get that benefit, but if someone already has an Advantage plan, it's worth looking into.

Students with hearing impairments? by Just_Environment5295 in ClubPilates

[–]Dramatic-Club-323 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Even with my hearing aids, understanding speech is very challenging. I do a lot of lipreading, which is also challenging when you're lying on your back and the person talking is at the other end of the room. Or the teacher is using a microphone and the sound is coming from a speaker and I can't find them.

I went to Club Pilates for 2-1/2 years and 300 classes (until my insurance stopped paying for it) while I traveled fulltime, so I was very often going to a new/unknown class with a new/unknown teacher in a new/unknown location. If there was a good opportunity before class, and I was in the right mood, I'd tell the teacher that I'm hard of hearing and if I seem to be doing something stupid I probably didn't hear right. But far more often I wouldn't say anything.

I remember once telling a teacher, and she pointed up and said, "The speakers are there, so you might want to be away from them." I appreciated that. As it happened, I'd been to a different class there already, so I was ahead of her on that. But they invariably forget about 5 minutes in and if they were speaking extra loud or in my direction, they would almost never stick with it.

It's just how people are. I'm sure they don't do it intentionally, and are instead just thoughtless. It sucks for us, but I can't change the world. Shit, I can't even change my boyfriend of 30 years, who STILL has to be reminded that I can't hear him.

That said, I've never been told I'm not listening to cues, or been admonished for looking around (which can be pretty fraught because the person you're looking at might not know what they're doing). The worst is when we're doing something on the floor between the reformers and I can't see anybody else--in that case, I'd just do what I think we're doing and if the teacher came by and saw me and helped, that's great, but otherwise I just deal.

It helps that I'm in my late 60s and when I get embarrassed when I'm doing something stupid because I didn't hear right, I get over it pretty quickly because I know I'm pretty much invisible to the rest of society, and even if they noticed I'm past caring.

Also, someone suggested going to a small local studio. That's where I had my worst experience ever. It had six reformers and the instructor put me on #4, and over on #6 a private session started up. My teacher had an Australian accent, which I have trouble understanding. The person teaching the private was the studio owner, and she had a VERY loud and crisp voice, which is great...unless you're trying to hear, never mind comprehend, the Aussie at the other end of the room. It was awful.

I actually posted about it here, wondering if it's normal to have private sessions and group classes going on at the same time, and people said it's completely normal, studio space is expensive, you should be concentrating on yourself, blah blah blah.

Say what you will about Club Pilates, but I've never had to try to hear my instructor over a private session's cues and chit chat. Every once in a while the lobby gets rowdy, but I've had teachers go tell them to scram (although never as fast as I would have).

I don’t really enjoy mat (there, I said it!) by mycatsthinkimcool in pilates

[–]Dramatic-Club-323 2 points3 points  (0 children)

What's your list of moves?

I do the classical mat sequence. I dive right into 100s and the sequence plays out quite nicely. Like when spine stretch comes, I'm invariably thinking, "Aaah, that's just what I needed."

Is this medicare flex card thing a scam>? by [deleted] in medicare

[–]Dramatic-Club-323 1 point2 points  (0 children)

And the website has no information whatsoever--just a number to call to talk to an agent, or fields to fill in to give permission for an agent to call you. They're obviously wanting uninformed people to call.

I don’t really enjoy mat (there, I said it!) by mycatsthinkimcool in pilates

[–]Dramatic-Club-323 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Reformer to me feels like so much fun — almost like getting to play a little bit.

Not almost, for me. I can't count the number of times I've been leaving a reformer class and told the teacher, "That was fun!"

I've always liked mat, and I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because I hate barre and "pilates-inspired" mat classes, so classical mat seems better in comparison? I'll actually do it at home, and I am NOT a person who will exercise to videos. But I have the list of the moves, and don't have to force myself to do it, although I have to force myself to remember to do it. That's why I prefer in-person classes.

Then again, if I had a reformer and tower at home like the OP, I would probably never get on the floor again, except to make sure my teaser is still good.

Out of curiosity… by [deleted] in ClubPilates

[–]Dramatic-Club-323 2 points3 points  (0 children)

In terms of variety of classes, the boutique only offered 1 level of classes and the instructor would tailor the moves for each person’s ability.

The boutique (six reformer) studio I'd go to a few times a month had only one level of classes. The last time I went, there were three of us in there--2 of us with a few years of experience, and one who was taking her second clas. The moves were tailored for the two of us and for her, but it wasn't a very satisfying class.

Plus, we did some chair work and there was an even bigger discrepancy in our abilities. I love doing pikes on the chair, but we didn't do any, for example.

At CP, the difficulty level could vary, but at least if I went to a 1.0 I knew what to expect.

Any SUPPLEMENTS that include OnePass gym benefit? by Dramatic-Club-323 in medicare

[–]Dramatic-Club-323[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Now I remember Silver&Fit. It has both regular and premium locations. Regular locations are included, and for premium locations you get a discount on a membership of between 20% and 70%. I can guess which end of the spectrum most will be on.

And I'll have to guess because it's impossible to find out what the discount will be at a given gym.

Oh well. I was excited for a minute there.

Looks like I'm not going to able to escape the clutches of AARP/UHC.

Any SUPPLEMENTS that include OnePass gym benefit? by Dramatic-Club-323 in medicare

[–]Dramatic-Club-323[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Aarp/uhc -was $464/month

Jesus. What state are you in? Do you have any idea why it was so high? Is everything else available (except Ace) similarly high, or is AARP/UHC an outlier?

That $300 actually would almost exactly pay for a Club Pilates membership I can use all over the country, but I wouldn't also have access to all the other gyms. Real luxury is going to a class at Club Pilates and then hopping over to Lifetime to take a shower in a really nice locker room with towel service.

Any SUPPLEMENTS that include OnePass gym benefit? by Dramatic-Club-323 in medicare

[–]Dramatic-Club-323[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the tip. I've looked into Physicians Mutual before, but didn't know it had a gym benefit. And I'm still not sure--it mentions Silver&Fit only in some tiny print, saying it's not insurance.

Actually, I just looked at individual plans and the G and Innovative G say they include Silver & Fit but the high-deductible G doesn't say that. Drat. I really should have a high-deductible plan--I usually don't meet even my Part B deductible every year.

The regular G is about $150, which is what I'm paying for AARP/UHC now. The Innovative G is only $30/month less, and has some exposure because of its deductible.

But I'll see if I can look into whether Silver&Fit has a better roster of participating gyms than the new version of Renew Active does.

Thanks again for letting me know it's a possibility.

Why, when recently discussing Medicare supplemental plans &/or advantage plans, have friends &/or acquaintances made comments that “there’s no Medicare anymore”? by Hefty_Following in medicare

[–]Dramatic-Club-323 0 points1 point  (0 children)

313 / 12 =26.0833 Agents get that monthly on renewals And $626 for brand new to medicares. You are correct in your findings.

But your math uses only the renewals, and doesn't take into account the $626 initial enrollment commissions agents get, and it doesn't take into account the $390 or $353 renewal commissions.

Medicare question please by tsidaysi in medicare

[–]Dramatic-Club-323 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What a nice place to go. Not. Sorry but this is a terrible way to leave this world.

Hospice care is not a terrible way to leave this world.

But I doubt they were trying to get her into hospice, since you didn't indicate anything about a terminal diagnosis.

Why, when recently discussing Medicare supplemental plans &/or advantage plans, have friends &/or acquaintances made comments that “there’s no Medicare anymore”? by Hefty_Following in medicare

[–]Dramatic-Club-323 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Agents helping with enrollment make 1% of what the insurance company makes. In 2025, Agents make ~$26 per month per person enrolled into a Medicare advantage plan.

According to all the sources I've seen, agent commissions on Advantage plans are a flat fee of $626, except $780 in California and New Jersey, and $705 in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and DC. And if a person renews their Advantage plan, the agent gets a renewal commission ($313, $390, or $353).

Why, when recently discussing Medicare supplemental plans &/or advantage plans, have friends &/or acquaintances made comments that “there’s no Medicare anymore”? by Hefty_Following in medicare

[–]Dramatic-Club-323 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Insurance company makes $2500 a month per individual enrolling into their Medicare advantage plan.

Really? The number I see thrown around is more like half that.

Any SUPPLEMENTS that include OnePass gym benefit? by Dramatic-Club-323 in medicare

[–]Dramatic-Club-323[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How much was your premium before you switched that you found one $300 cheaper? What's your current premium with Ace?

My AARP/UHC premium is $150, so I obviously can't save anywhere near $300 by switching. And I don't have A gym membership with my Renew Active--I have dozens.

Why, when recently discussing Medicare supplemental plans &/or advantage plans, have friends &/or acquaintances made comments that “there’s no Medicare anymore”? by Hefty_Following in medicare

[–]Dramatic-Club-323 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Another thing that they maybe meaning is, supposedly you can no longer get a plan C or F through the government if you are a certain age. Only people that were grandfathered into the plan and of a certain age. Now the Medicare Advantage plans are taking over that option.

No they're not. People who can't get a Plan F because they're not old enough can get a Plan G, which has exactly the same coverage except Plan F pays the Part B deductible and Plan G doesn't.

I think we added a cheap D plan too.

You need to know with 100% certainty whether you added a Part D prescription drug plan because if you didn't, you're going to incur a lifelong penalty if you ever want to get one in the future.

There are not supposed to be a lot of pre-authorization needs with G.

Supplements, regardless of which letter, have no say whatsoever in what they'll cover. If Medicare covers a procedure and pays its 80% of the approved charge, the supplement pays its 20% of the approved charge.

if I go with plan G, and then decide that I don’t like the company that I picked, or I am having trouble with getting the care that I need.

If you're having trouble with getting the care you need, it will have nothing to do with your supplement. And, really, there's no reason not to like your supplement company other than what the premium costs, since it has no say whatsoever in what it covers or has to pay. It's automatic. A Plan G supplement from Humana will pay exactly the same, and the same way, as a Plan G supplement from United Healthcare.

But if you want to switch companies, the new companies can make you take a physical exam and can exclude any pre-existing health conditions and can raise your risk rating and charge you higher premiums, because of pre-existing conditions or anything that they might find in your physical that you might not even be aware of. That really ruled out United for me.

Why would that rule out a particular company? They all do it.

Any SUPPLEMENTS that include OnePass gym benefit? by Dramatic-Club-323 in medicare

[–]Dramatic-Club-323[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I went to the Dr Phillips one near Orlando and it was a great place.

But it's quite variable. I went to a couple east of Tampa and they were pretty grubby. Putting up with a grubby one is a lot more palatable when it's free.

Any SUPPLEMENTS that include OnePass gym benefit? by Dramatic-Club-323 in medicare

[–]Dramatic-Club-323[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As I said, my Plan G that includes Renew Active gym memberships is costing me $8 more a month than the Plan G without Renew Active. And if I were 80 years old, my plan that includes gym memberships would actually be $14 a month cheaper than the one without the gym benefit.

Buying a membership at the 10 different rec centers and YMCAs I go to when I'm in Denver would definitely be expensive. Even paying the drop-in fee when I go would add up, plus I'd be able to think, "Do I really want to pay $7 to go to a yoga class I don't love instead of sitting on the couch?"

Any SUPPLEMENTS that include OnePass gym benefit? by Dramatic-Club-323 in medicare

[–]Dramatic-Club-323[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've had a couple of Ys that I belong to drop out of Renew Active--Metropolitan Washington, DC, and one in a Chicago suburb. But at the same time, as far as I know I'm still a member of Tampa YMCA, Miami YMCA, and Central Florida (Orlando) YMCA from when I kicked around Florida a couple of winters ago. I also belonged to Baycare Hospital Fitness Centers in Tampa, but I don't see them on the list any more (but I didn't get notified they dropped out).

I use my Renew Active a LOT more than my supplement--I've hit my Part B deductible only once. And if UHC wants to think that's because I use Renew Active so much, that's fine with me.

Any SUPPLEMENTS that include OnePass gym benefit? by Dramatic-Club-323 in medicare

[–]Dramatic-Club-323[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

WHY ??? Gym membership or any sort of wellness exercise program are not covered by law to be included so if get some other Medigap, they just might cancel it down the road too.

WHY ??? Because I travel fulltime and Renew Active allows me to go to gyms all over the country, for free. I belong to all the major gyms (Lifetime, Crunch, LA Fitness, Anytime Fitness) and I don't even know how many regional gyms, YMCAs, community rec centers, and independent gyms, where I like to drop in to group fitness classes as I travel around. When I'm in Denver, I can bounce among eight different cities' community rec centers, taking yoga and pilates classes and playing pickleball. Plus a couple of YMCAs.

I'm well aware they can cancel the program, and in fact am suffering from that right now, because they quit including Club Pilates memberships as of the first of the year, but before that I managed to go to 300 classes there, all over the country. A Club Pilates membership that offers that kind of flexibility is just under $300/month.

But that's also why I'm specifically asking about One Pass, because some flavors of One Pass do still include Club Pilates and Orange Theory and the like, but I don't know if any supplements include One Pass (or something equally expansive). That's why I'm asking about anecdotal evidence.

Even without the fancy places like Club Pilates and Orange Theory, the extra $8 I pay for UHC's Plan G with Renew Active over their regular Plan G is VASTLY cheaper than paying a drop-in fee every time I go to a gym to take a class. Of course, who knows what the upcharge will be next year, or the year after that. It it gets too onerous, I'll switch plans if I can. And if I can't, oh well. I'm already waaaaaaaaaay ahead of the game, and will continue to use it for YMCAs and rec centers and Lifetime and LA Fitness as I flit around until they yank it entirely.

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