Any HMOs for non-Medicare Patients?

[Cashmire]

I am a Federal retiree from Fairfax County, VA and new to the Villages. For 25+ years I have been using the Kaiser Permanente HMO. Their services have continued to improved over the years and I have been very pleased with this type of care. Since Kaiser does not service TV, I will have to choose another health plan. I am several years away from being eligible for Medicare.

Are there any HMOs in the area that service non-Medicare patients?

Thanks,
Maggie

[perrjojo]

We had Kaiser prior to moving here and loved them. Since we are on Medicare I don't know about non Medicare HMOs. I can tell you for sure that they is nothing comparable to Kaiser here. I was reluctant to go with Kaiser but after we went with them, we loved it. Sure wish tHey were in Florida.

[RErmer]

Go to the healthcare.gov website to research. You may be eligible for a special enrollment period because you moved out of the Kaiser service area. Too bad Kaiser isn't here; they have had a great reputation for years. I know that Florida Blue (Blue Cross Blue Shield's name in FL) has both HMO and PPO options available through the government exchange.

Also, as a federal retiree there may be other plans in this area for which you are eligible; check with your administrator.

[Nightengale212]

I am a still employed Federal worker and have had Federal BC/BS Standard Family PPO for 13 years as Kaiser is not an option in R.I., and for the most part have been fairly pleased with the coverage compared to all the other options available to me. If you opt for this plan, just be sure before you agree to have any tests or procedures you personally check coverage status so you will not be surprised if a bill arrives in the mail. For example, this plan will not pay for bone density testing for women under 60 even if you have a diagnosis of osteopenia or osteoporosis. Another is if you have a routine screening colonoscopy and a polyp is removed, then the test is no longer considered screening but diagnostic and you will likely get some type of bill depending on how it is coded. Medication and hospitalization coverage is very good with this plan.

Happy retirement in TV :)

[villages07]

I am a retired fed from the DC area. I had a decent HMO up there but when I moved here 8 years ago,choices were limited. I went with Blue Cross/Blue Shield standard option and have been pleased with the coverage and availability of docs.

Hmmm... I am under 60 and have had several bone density exams...all covered except a small percentage coinsurance payment.

Enjoy your move....you will be happy to get away from the DC rat race and perpetual traffic!

[Cashmire]

Thank you all for your thoughts and suggestions. I know I was spoiled with Kaiser. I once changed to BC/BS and within a year changed back to Kaiser. I was overwhelmed with the amount of paperwork I rec'd from BC/BS. After all the years I was with Kaiser, I had accumulated only a small paper file and most of those pages were ones I printed from my online records.

[Nightengale212]

I am a retired fed from the DC area. I had a decent HMO up there but when I moved here 8 years ago,choices were limited. I went with Blue Cross/Blue Shield standard option and have been pleased with the coverage and availability of docs.

Hmmm... I am under 60 and have had several bone density exams...all covered except a small percentage coinsurance payment.

Enjoy your move....you will be happy to get away from the DC rat race and perpetual traffic!

Not sure why I was billed and you were not, but per my doctor I don't need another bone density test until I hit 60 which is a little over two years away.

I hear you about getting away from traffic, and in no way can I compare R.I. traffic to D.C., but I look forward to the time I no longer have a daily drive into Providence especially in the winter!!

[DDoug]

Check Humana