How I Selected My Medicare Plan

By Dave Lee, Published November 26, 2022

Choosing a Medicare plan isn’t like shopping at the store. Retirees who want a Medicare Advantage plan that works more like the insurance they had while working still have to navigate government requirements and a vast number of plan options with different benefits. Working with the de-complicators at UCare removes the stress.

I don’t know how many people think about the day they are going to retire before it gets close, but I know I didn’t. With a job I loved in broadcast radio for decades, and at WCCO for 32 years, retirement always seemed like it was a long way off — until it wasn’t.

Shortly before I retired, I started to look into it, and there was this fog. I did as much research by myself as I could, but it’s so complicated. That’s when I turned to UCare. As a radio personality I had recorded spots for UCare over the years and knew what they promised. I also knew that I liked them — when we got together to record, I always felt like I was with people who loved what they did and loved helping people. I knew that they talked about being “de-complicators,” and that was exactly what I needed.

Over the past year as I was nearing the big day, I’ve really leaned on UCare whenever I needed a question answered. And it seemed like it was always an easier answer than what I expected. They made that fog go away.

The first thing they helped me do was get enrolled in Social Security. I didn’t even think about the connection, but it’s a requirement for the program. Then I got myself enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B — the basic government coverage for hospital care and medical care, respectively.

My card came just in early November. My wife was laughing because I was pumping my fist when it came in the mail — I was approved! And that meant I could select my Part C coverage, also known as Medicare Advantage, the coverage UCare provides that works a lot like private insurance most people are used to.

I had been looking at UCare plans and benefits and asking questions while I waited for approval, so I already knew which one I wanted to enroll in, and did it right away. Each person’s situation is different, and what they want out of their plan is different, so taking the time to weigh options is worthwhile.

After going through the process myself, here are a few pieces of advice I’d offer to others who are approaching Medicare for the first time:

• Start with your own research. I felt better going in with some idea of what was happening, even if I didn’t understand it all and still had questions. You feel more in control when you aren’t dependent on someone else for such a big decision.
• Look at the network coverage in any Medicare Advantage plan. Specifically, see if your current doctor, dentist and other care providers are covered. These are the people you have relationships with, and you don’t want to lose that history (or pay extra to retain it!).
• Talk to friends. You probably have peers and family who are in the same boat. Compare notes, share experiences and gather opinions from people you trust. Maybe it’ll change your mind, or maybe just validate what you are feeling, but more input is always worthwhile.
• Call in the experts, as I did with UCare. These are people who live this every day, and your question is almost always one they've heard before. When you hit a puzzle, it's natural to want to solve it. But there aren't bonus points for solving it yourself.

People talk about retiring and looking forward to all these good things they've put off until retirement. For me, I’m looking forward to travel, the freedom to set my own schedule, and pursue some of my passions like talking music on my podcast.

On the flip side, the last thing you need is stress. For all the time you put into your job, you want to enjoy your retirement. So make it easy on yourself. When it comes to Medicare, I can’t think of a better way to do that than to call the de-complicators at UCare.

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