Quote:
Originally Posted by ditka41
Also important is that Advantage plans are usually HMO which means you are only able to go to doctors and facilities that are within their plan and at specific locations. More preferable to me, although a little more expensive is Medicare and the supplement that is PPO, allowing you more choices of where to obtain help
|
My understanding is, if you have Traditional Medicare plus a "supplement," that supplement is not a PPO. You are not limited in your choices. There is no "network." You are free to go to any doctor in the U.S. who accepts Medicare. However doctors don't have to accept Medicare patients at all (those 65+ or on Medicare disability) but most do, at least in this area. Otherwise, their clientele would be severely limited in number.
My experience: if you don't enroll in a supplement plan within six months of turning 65, and you apply later, you will have to answer certain health "questions" to be accepted for supplemental insurance. You are guaranteed acceptance within the six-month period. We waited until after the six-month period expired to ditch our unsatisfactory employer plan (PPO) network and enroll in supplement Plan "F." We also waited until we were able to answer the health questions satisfactorily. Since being enrolled, we've never received a medical bill.
Personally, I'd rather cut back on a few discretionary spending items and subscribe to traditional Medicare, plus a supplement, than rely on an Advantage (replacement) plan run by an insurance company with a network of physician subscribers that seem to change regularly.