IBM does offer great Medicare advantage plans. When you make it here the grass is greener.
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@ss I agree - Advantage plans lock you into HMO/PPO Networks and draw you in with “perks” like Dental, Vision, free Gym Memberships. The limitations on who you can see don’t become an issue until you have a serious issue (like cancer and you can’t go to MD Anderson cause they’re not in network). MediGap seems to be more expensive compared to Zero premium Advantage plans, but the reality is that it’s the luxury brand coverage that is worth every penny when you need it.
Medicare Advantage plans for the most part are trash and good for folks who weren’t forward thinking enough to save to pay for a medigap plan where one can go see any doctor that takes Medicare and not just doctors that take that particular Medicare advantage plan
@d0 Yes true for me in NY the IBM plans blows away other plans with ridiculous deductions, many only offer 90 days hospital. HMO plans are horrible needing referral for specialist.
@ct zero cost I bet a nice deduction, here at IBM zero deduction
@c9 monthly premium for the enhanced plan is going up 83% from $156 to $287. Thanks IBM.
Medicare Advantage plans differ by state and can even differ by zip code. This includes cost/premium and coverage/benefits. The differences are driven by insurance underwriting which takes into account the population in each zip code and their level of usage (claims) under this plan.
This makes it difficult to have a generic discussion such as this one around whether the IBM Medicare Advantage plan for retirees is better or worse or the same for any 2 given people that don't live near each other.
@c9 not true. In my state there are over 19 Medicare Advantage plans and most have zero cost monthly premiums. IBM's 2 plans are very average and other plans are MUCH BETTER. Shop around. And IBM lied to us who joined in the late 70s and early 80s when Gerstner did the pension heist and the promised retiree medical benefits are 99% worse than promised during employment recruiting and onboarding. It is called Gerstner Greed and Gerstner FE financial engineering.
The enhanced plan went from 156 this year to 287 next year Most retirees (85%) are on the enhanced plan
@bx 83% You know what I just switched to UHC -IBM ESENTIAL PPO effective Nov 1st 2025, which is zero monthly premium, great coverage, you won't get a better deal in the industry if you go find one on your own. It gives highlights of 2206 no amount on premium. I don't know what you are referring to 83 % not sure you are even a retiree.
You obviously didn’t get your 83% increase in rate this year yet
Greener for whom ? IBM or the IBM Retirees ?