[Floridagal]

I was thinking of joining AARP United Health Care The Villages. Has anybody join it as yet for next year?

[aln]

Originally Posted by Floridagal

I was thinking of joining AARP United Health Care The Villages. Has anybody join it as yet for next year?

We signed up my wife. I have a UHC group plan from my previous employer which covers about the same.

From what I can tell it's pretty 'boiler plate' stuff. The only thing is, HMO's are a bit more restrictive on doctors than PPO's. I also haven't looked at the drug formulary but my wife is very healthy, takes no drugs, so not an issue today and keep in mind you only sign up for this stuff for 1 year.

[2BNTV]

I am still reviewing this HMO policy as it seems much cheaper than the PPO I presently have.

I don't believe the salesman when he says it has the same amount of doctors as a PPO as one doctor was not in the plan. He said any provider directory is useless as it goes out of style in a month. I would be sure to check if all prescriptions one is presently taking is covered under this HMO plan.

The UHC PPO plan is raising all the fees for specialists and the maximum out of pocket costs. I still think these type of plans are made for healthy people as opposed to someone who has a chronic condition.

Hmmmmmmmmm..........

[aln]

Originally Posted by 2BNTV

I am still reviewing this HMO policy as it seems much cheaper than the PPO I presently have.

I don't believe the salesman when he says it has the same amount of doctors as a PPO as one doctor was not in the plan. He said any provider directory is useless as it goes out of style in a month. I would be sure to check if all prescriptions one is presently taking is covered under this HMO plan.

The UHC PPO plan is raising all the fees for specialists and the maximum out of pocket costs. I still think these type of plans are made for healthy people as opposed to someone who has a chronic condition.

Hmmmmmmmmm..........

I couldn't agree with you more! On july 22 2013 I went to MRMC with severe angina via ambulance to emergency. After a cath and 1 night stay the bill was $22,000. (twenty two thousand). After medicare discounted $16,000, they paid 80.19% of the balance. Because they paid OVER 80% my UHC PPO group plan's terms say that if medicare pays over 80 the UHC pland doesnt' kick in till out of pocket exceeds $2200. I have to pay $1000 and complained to no avail. And just to note, I have met all my deductibles. I guess my point is INSURANCE SUCKS!

[ilovetv]

Originally Posted by aln

I couldn't agree with you more! On july 22 2013 I went to MRMC with severe angina via ambulance to emergency. After a cath and 1 night stay the bill was $22,000. (twenty two thousand). After medicare discounted $16,000, they paid 80.19% of the balance. Because they paid OVER 80% my UHC PPO group plan's terms say that if medicare pays over 80 the UHC pland doesnt' kick in till out of pocket exceeds $2200. I have to pay $1000 and complained to no avail. And just to note, I have met all my deductibles. I guess my point is INSURANCE SUCKS!

What really sucks is having to pay your entire medical bill yourself.....every last dollar of it. All of us "spread our risk around" and dilute it in an insurance risk-sharing pool, whether it's medicare or private insurance or the two combined.

I realize in the case you're describing that a technicality or fine print with the deductible in certain situations left you with a $1000 bill when you'd met your deductibles, and those technicalities do stink. But for the most part, I think many people are so focused on demanding 1st-dollar coverage that they overlook the big claims the insurer (and the taxpayer) does pay on the insured's behalf.

[JP]

Originally Posted by ilovetv

What really sucks is having to pay your entire medical bill yourself.....every last dollar of it. All of us "spread our risk around" and dilute it in an insurance risk-sharing pool, whether it's medicare or private insurance or the two combined.

I realize in the case you're describing that a technicality or fine print with the deductible in certain situations left you with a $1000 bill when you'd met your deductibles, and those technicalities do stink. But for the most part, I think many people are so focused on demanding 1st-dollar coverage that they overlook the big claims the insurer (and the taxpayer) does pay on the insured's behalf.

Right on. Paying $1,000 out of a $22,000 bill seems pretty fair to me. I know my deductible is a lot higher than that and of course I have to pay out of my own pocket for insurance coverage to the tune of $10,000+ per year.

[NotGolfer]

we signed up this week....by going to the UHC office. There was NO fee and no other meetings to attend. The consultant was informative and answered ALL of our questions thoroughly. Don't know why one would need to go to a seminar for explanations and sign-ups when you can have one on one attention.

[Avista]

Originally Posted by NotGolfer

we signed up this week....by going to the UHC office. There was NO fee and no other meetings to attend. The consultant was informative and answered ALL of our questions thoroughly. Don't know why one would need to go to a seminar for explanations and sign-ups when you can have one on one attention.

Agree withevery thing you said. My husband will be on the Villages HMO, and I will be on tradiional Medicare as some of my docs are out of town. I WILL use The Villages health Care System for my primary.

[2BNTV]

Let's keep in mind that some people have special needs and needs to investigate what options fills their needs the best.

BTW - Several years ago, I incurred a bill for over 160,000 dollars and wound up only paying $860. Insurance is to be chosen wisely or you will be paying extroadinary amounts of money inn OOP costs..

[kofficer]

Originally Posted by aln

We signed up my wife. I have a UHC group plan from my previous employer which covers about the same.

From what I can tell it's pretty 'boiler plate' stuff. The only thing is, HMO's are a bit more restrictive on doctors than PPO's. I also haven't looked at the drug formulary but my wife is very healthy, takes no drugs, so not an issue today and keep in mind you only sign up for this stuff for 1 year.

This one acts like a PPO except that you can't go out of network. I am signing up and I have a heart condition and diabetes. Because of the 4500 out of pocket, chronic conditions are covered. I take 12 medications, but only 600 a year on this plan. I currently pay over 1500 on my employers plan, I have had good customer service from UHC, so when I retire in December, I'm going to try this one. The supplement I wanted is 2700 a year, that's just a little too much for the budget!

Any UHC doctor in Florida is someone you can go too. If they say they don't take the plan, have them call UHC and they will find you are covered.