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[neville clynes]

One thing is for certain, if you do not have a Medicare Advantage plan, every Columbia retiree SHOULD  pick a MEDIGAP plan this year.  

See the label (pull down menu to the left) "Medigap details and need "for more in depth discussion.

If by chance you do no have MEDIGAP this year pick a UHC/AARP plan through VIA and get the 900 HSA subsidy. 

If you have a MEDIGAP plan then the choices are more complicated as to whether to go through VIA or not. If you are in NY and do not have UHC/AARP currently, then it is highly likely that you should switch to UHC/AARP and get your HSA 900 subsidy. If you are in NJ ,the choice is more complicated (see label "NY-vesrus NJ")

Note, there are low cost plans available through VIA, given the 900 HSA subsidy from Columbia (see label "columbia and VIA") . The cheapest plans will run 0-350/annum after the subsidy, depending on your age and state. These plans will at least cover the catastrophic costs should they occur.  Some people may be better off getting their MEDIGAP outside of  VIA this year depending on different factors but in my opinion there  is NO REASON NOT TO HAVE a  MEDIGAP coverage (unless you have Medicare Advantage)  given the availabilty of the 900 subsidy . REMEMBER, the deadline is the first week of DECEMBER. Finally remember that the Columbia subsidy is only available if you go through VIA.