That $2778? includes the one-time $1200. As soon as that is used, that $3000 becomes $1578, until the government raises the monthly SS Medicare deduction again. IBM has screwed the retirees with this in many ways. For those of us who were getting the $3000/3500 and selecting one of the VIA plans took a hit. I had an Aetna PPO plan that is nearly identical to the UHC plan - the difference being IBM has a "Group" plan that "supposedly" allows one to go to any doctor in the country that accepts Medicare where the Aetna plan provides for any doctor within my locality that accepts Medicare. Aetna does (and corresponding plans do) allow for emergency treatment if traveling. For most people, that is probably sufficient. That Aetna plan had $0 monthly premium plus the $30 reduction in the monthly government SS/Medicare "premium". So aside from the one-time $1200, that annual $1300 (or, in your case, $1578) is a considerable drop from the $3000/$3500. While going through the annual "Medicare and You" book, other companies had similar $0 monthly premium plans. Please note -? I am only addressing the Medicare Advantage plans as that is what the UHC plans are and what I have had from Medicare for years.
