When I first signed up for Medicare I stayed with the same Insurer (Priority) and signed up for their all everything supplemental policy. My premium was just over $500 per month. Last year when my wife became eligible for Medicare I decided to meet with a local insurance agent who specializes in Medicare and the available supplements.
He spent time with me showing how I could significantly reduce my monthly premium by signing up for a policy with higher deductibles/co-pays. My annual premium savings are greater than my potential obligations for the increased deductibles and co-pays. Fortunately I am healthy with no longterm issues or medications, so the only medical expenses I have are any co-pays I may have for my annual physical, dental checkups and eye exams. Another benefit of my policy is I have a debt card that is reloaded with $73 every quarter, which I can spend on medical related over the counter items. The local Walgreens has shelf markers identifying those items that are legible for the debt card program. The net cost of my supplement is around $100 per year and it is the same for my wife.
As goofy as it sounds this is also a supplement option offered by Priority. I highly recommend that anyone signing up for Medicare or considering their options during the open enrollment period take the time to meet with a licensed insurance agent that specializes in Medicare and Medicare supplements. All things considered, my wife and I will have a combined net savings in premium, deductible and co-pays of approximately $10,000 this year, which would have increased to $16,000 if she had signed up for the supplement policy I had.