Retiree Medical Costs Soar

Hi Terry, I am a long-time reader. Some clarifying info. I am approaching 70. I have no interest in and have never worked in any medical field. Your article seemed to strongly push for medicare insurance with a supplement. I may be wrong but here is what I think. I have the Aetna Value PPO and live in the Chicago area. It costs $0 per month. It includes drug coverage. Many generics for $0 co-pay. All of mine are all $0. I get over $60 every quarter for CVS items at no charge. I also get $1000 per year for dental. $100 for Vision plus additional hearing coverage. Seems pretty good to me. Your comment suggests Med Advantage restrict. I Can go in-network and out of network with a PPO. MY in-network out of pocket is less than $4K. I never get even close to this. The premiums for a Medicare supplement, drug coverage, and dental would cost more than this per year without any vision, and other areas. All major teaching hospitals and community hospitals are in-network. As an example I had my hip done this past year and I choose Rush Medical center. I owed only $400 for the surgery. Yes out of network would cost more but how much? No matter what happens my max out of pocket for out of network is $9,000. Seems high but remember I am saving the monthly supplement and drug premiums which would be over $4K per year and no $1K dental coverage. Not selling for this plan but what am I missing??? Yes, HMOs are terrible and I would never do one based on being limited. I with a PPO can go to any Medicare provider I want. I love your commentary and advice. Please tell me what am I missing here??? Please let me know. I check my health insurance very carefully every year to be sure I am not making a mistake.