Quote:
Originally Posted by mac9
The Advantage programs make some of their money because they are paid the last day of the quarter BEFORE and are able to keep that money and the interest accrued by it before they have to make any payments. Doesn't sound like it would be much to you or me, but it is garnering them millions. Also, not all Advantage programs are localized. Many of the larger insurance companies (Aetna, for instance) are nationwide as you can purchase an HMO version which is local, but they also have a PPO that is usually accepted by any Medicare certified physician throughout the country.
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Yes, but the PPO part that you can buy is the supplemental, and it is the much higher price. My plan is Priority Health. The Advantage plan under Priority Health is specific to the Michigan area. The Priority Health Plan that I signed up for is actually a supplemental and is the PPO. It is a much higher price, and you have to buy your drug plan and dental plan separately, plus no silver sneakers, etc. But you can walk into any doctor anywhere who takes Medicare without a referral from a primary physician, and you won't be assessed a deductible like you would with a doctor out of your HMO in your advantage plan. Since we live in two different states and travel a lot, it's a price we choose to pay for peace of mind.