Let me tell you the story of three friends. Let’s call them Molly, May, and Mary. They are all 66, planning to retire in January, and they’re choosing Medicare plans.
Molly has some health issues and is scheduled for surgery and a lot of tests within the next year. She is looking at a comprehensive Medigap Supplement Plan, because she knows she will be using her services frequently.

May is in great health. She’s active and she eats healthy foods. She stays healthy through regular visits to her Naturopathic Doctor, Chiropractor, and Acupuncturist. She also goes to Yoga and Tai Chi classes every week. May is looking at the High Deductible Medigap Plan, or a Medicare Part C Advantage Health plan. She saves about $100+ per month in premiums that can go toward her wellness visits.

Mary is in the middle of the road. She is generally in good healthbut has a couple of medical issues. She doesn’t want a high deductible plan, but she doesn’t mind some out of pocket costs if the plan saves her money. She chose a Medigap plan that covers the higher deductibles and has some copays and cost sharing.

So, what if Molly, who has numerous health needs, took May’s advice and bought the high deductible plan? She could end up spending significantly more in out of pocket costs!

What if May, with her strong health and her wellness visits, took Mary’s advice and took the middle-of-the-road plan? She may not have the additional cash flow to visit her wellness practitioners as often as she liked.