Best Medical Health Insurance @ 65

[Penglobal]

Hello -
After delaying for as long as I can, ( I've been 52 for a while), I'll be turning 65 in a few months and seeking guidance on the best possible medical insurance plan used by fellow Villagers without factoring-in cost.

My COBRA ends when I turn 65 and I am seeking a similar medical insurance plan comparable to my COBRA plan which essentially covered everything including prescription drugs, treatment from almost any physician with minimal out of pocket cost.

Thanks for your help.

[TSO/ISPF]

Hello -
After delaying for as long as I can, ( I've been 52 for a while), I'll be turning 65 in a few months and seeking guidance on the best possible medical insurance plan used by fellow Villagers without factoring-in cost.

My COBRA ends when I turn 65 and I am seeking a similar medical insurance plan comparable to my COBRA plan which essentially covered everything including prescription drugs, treatment from almost any physician with minimal out of pocket cost.

Thanks for your help.

There website is:
SHINE - Home (https://www.floridashine.org/)

I spoke with a women in the villages who helped me with that process who is part of that organization. They are not affiliated with any of the companies selling the various plans you can choose for "full" coverage.
It's provide by the state of Florida I believe.

[kkingston57]

Too many choices! I will be doing the same in early 2022 and not looking forward to it. For me I want to make sure that I will have good access to doctors, hospitals etc. when I am traveling. Have Florida Blue now and do like their service. Good luck.

[villagetinker]

Yes, absolutely talk to SHINE they saved us from making a very big mistake.

[santiagobob]

I have Medicare and a supplement policy with AARP United Healthcare. My plan has no co pays, deductibles and pays everything that Medicare does not cover. I have had 5 surgeries in the last 10 years including 9 days in ICU in U.F. Shands hospital and I have never paid a dime for any of these procedures. I can go anywhere and make my own appointments without a referral.I do pay a monthly premium, but one stay in a hospital Is worth a years premium
Bob B.

[tuccillo]

I am guessing you have UHC, via AARP, Plan F. If you live in Sumter County you can save yourself money by switching to Plan G ( no underwriting required). The Part B deductible (about $200) is covered by Plan F and not Plan G but the Plan G premiums are about $360 less. All other aspects are identical.

I have Medicare and a supplement policy with AARP United Healthcare. My plan has no co pays, deductibles and pays everything that Medicare does not cover. I have had 5 surgeries in the last 10 years including 9 days in ICU in U.F. Shands hospital and I have never paid a dime for any of these procedures. I can go anywhere and make my own appointments without a referral.I do pay a monthly premium, but one stay in a hospital Is worth a years premium
Bob B.

[eweissenbach]

My wife and I took care of my father for three years in our home prior to his death. I took care of all his finances and he had AARP UHC plan F and it paid for everything without question. When I turned 65 I signed up for AARP/UHC as did my wife when she turned 65. I have had the normal health issues, but my wife has had dozens of hospitalizations, in Kansas City as well as in the TV area, and we have never paid a cent out of pocket. There are probably cheaper plans out there, but the peace of mind we get that we are 100% covered is worth more than the premiums we pay (which are hundreds of thousands less than what the insurance has paid.)

[champion6]

I have Medicare and a supplement policy with AARP United Healthcare. My plan has no co pays, deductibles and pays everything that Medicare does not cover. I have had 5 surgeries in the last 10 years including 9 days in ICU in U.F. Shands hospital and I have never paid a dime for any of these procedures. I can go anywhere and make my own appointments without a referral.I do pay a monthly premium, but one stay in a hospital Is worth a years premium
Bob B.My wife and I took care of my father for three years in our home prior to his death. I took care of all his finances and he had AARP UHC plan F and it paid for everything without question. When I turned 65 I signed up for AARP/UHC as did my wife when she turned 65. I have had the normal health issues, but my wife has had dozens of hospitalizations, in Kansas City as well as in the TV area, and we have never paid a cent out of pocket. There are probably cheaper plans out there, but the peace of mind we get that we are 100% covered is worth more than the premiums we pay (which are hundreds of thousands less than what the insurance has paid.)Both of you forgot to mention that you also have a Prescription Drug Plan which covers most, but not all, of the cost for your prescriptions. I have the same combination as you do: Medicare + AARP medicare supplement + PDP.

[TSO/ISPF]

Both of you forgot to mention that you also have a Prescription Drug Plan which covers most, but not all, of the cost for your prescriptions. I have the same combination as you do: Medicare + AARP medicare supplement + PDP.

I have the UH drug plan with a monthly premium of over 100 dollars. The real question is why can't Medicare negotiate prices for drugs. That's very big part of health care costs for many of us on Medicare today. That's a conspiracy worth looking into. Any of you on Eliquis or
Humira ? That's a real dent in the annual budget!

[jack.hunter00@yahoo.com]

Shop all of them and pick what is right for you.

[Eg_cruz]

Hello -
After delaying for as long as I can, ( I've been 52 for a while), I'll be turning 65 in a few months and seeking guidance on the best possible medical insurance plan used by fellow Villagers without factoring-in cost.

My COBRA ends when I turn 65 and I am seeking a similar medical insurance plan comparable to my COBRA plan which essentially covered everything including prescription drugs, treatment from almost any physician with minimal out of pocket cost.

Thanks for your help.
I would stay with the Traditional Medigap Plan, if you are healthy go with Plan N United Health Care carry it. There is a premium but it lower then most. With this plan you pay a once a year Part B deductible and a co-pay to each dr visit $20 or under. If you go to the emergency room there is a co-pay of $50 and if you have a hospital stay Medicare and the insurance company pay the cost you have $.00 out of pocket. For you RX you will have to pick a plan right for you and if you go to Medicare.gov website you can put you meds in and it will pull up all the plans available to you and the cost and co-pays.
With Traditional Medigap plans there is no network to worry about. NO you will not be able to go to The Villages Health Care but so what I hear to many complaints anyways.
Hope this helps
Plan N really is a good plan

[Eg_cruz]

I am guessing you have UHC, via AARP, Plan F. If you live in Sumter County you can save yourself money by switching to Plan G ( no underwriting required). The Part B deductible (about $200) is covered by Plan F and not Plan G but the Plan G premiums are about $360 less. All other aspects are identical.
Plan F is no longer
Plan G is now the new F but the cost is moving up
Look at Plan N $40-60 less a month depending on your age…..yes you have co-pays to dr visit but if you go to the dr 3-4 times a yr you will be saving money, hospital coverage in Plan G and N are the same

[Eg_cruz]

I have the UH drug plan with a monthly premium of over 100 dollars. The real question is why can't Medicare negotiate prices for drugs. That's very big part of health care costs for many of us on Medicare today. That's a conspiracy worth looking into. Any of you on Eliquis or
Humira ? That's a real dent in the annual budget!
Are you going to Medicare.gov every year and putting your list of meds in? RX plans change every year so you need to do a little homework every Oct to be sure you are in the right plan. The Medicare website will give you all the plans and you can sign up for the plans from the site no need to call anyone for help if you don’t want to.

[bowlingal]

go meet a SHINE ( serving health insurance needs of elders) meeting, given at several rec centers or call 800-963-5337. You are eligible at 65 for medicare and the people at SHINE are medicare specialists, NOT insurance salespeople

[tuccillo]

Not exactly. The Plan F eligibility date cutoff is Jan 1, 2020. If you were eligible for Medicare before that date you can use Plan F. For the post I was responding to, the person was clearly eligible for Plan F and most likely had Plan F. Those who have Plan F can keep Plan F and those who are eligible for Plan F can switch to Plan F. As I already posted, however, Plan G carries lower cost than Plan F for the same coverage (they differ only by the Part B deductible). Plan G and Plan N differ not only in possible co-pays but also possible (but unlikely) excess charges. The premium difference between Plan G and Plan N is about $30 per month (depends on age, location, and whether you are a smoker). I agree that Plan N can be very cost effective and those who are newly eligible for Medicare, as well as those with Plan G or Plan F already, should take a look at it. I have Plan N.

Plan F is no longer
Plan G is now the new F but the cost is moving up
Look at Plan N $40-60 less a month depending on your age…..yes you have co-pays to dr visit but if you go to the dr 3-4 times a yr you will be saving money, hospital coverage in Plan G and N are the same

[Girlcopper]

I have Medicare and a supplement policy with AARP United Healthcare. My plan has no co pays, deductibles and pays everything that Medicare does not cover. I have had 5 surgeries in the last 10 years including 9 days in ICU in U.F. Shands hospital and I have never paid a dime for any of these procedures. I can go anywhere and make my own appointments without a referral.I do pay a monthly premium, but one stay in a hospital Is worth a years premium
Bob B.
Me too. Its perfect

[tombpot]

Don’t get an advantage plan

[Laurel Maryland]

You might want to watch this video before making your decision:

No Premium "FREE" Medicare Plans | You Get What You Pay For - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REYZuAHbNb0)

[72lions]

Plan F is no longer
Plan G is now the new F but the cost is moving up
Look at Plan N $40-60 less a month depending on your age…..yes you have co-pays to dr visit but if you go to the dr 3-4 times a yr you will be saving money, hospital coverage in Plan G and N are the same

Nobody only goes to a health care provider 3-4 times a year! Plan G + UHC is by far the best option for the OP (and me).

[Windguy]

I think that asking people what they think is the best whatever when whatever is something that very few people will actually have experience with multiple whatevers is rather a waste of time. For instance, I have Florida Blue (it’s BCBS), but I’ve never had another Medicare Advantage plan so I can’t possibly compare it to any others. It seems OK, but I can’t say it’s better or worse than any other plan. Would I rather it gave me more for less? For sure, but TANSTAAFL.

[JMintzer]

Nobody only goes to a health care provider 3-4 times a year! Plan G + UHC is by far the best option for the OP (and me).

Really? Nobody?

There's a lot of very healthy seniors out there...

[KRMACK55]

Hello -
After delaying for as long as I can, ( I've been 52 for a while), I'll be turning 65 in a few months and seeking guidance on the best possible medical insurance plan used by fellow Villagers without factoring-in cost.

My COBRA ends when I turn 65 and I am seeking a similar medical insurance plan comparable to my COBRA plan which essentially covered everything including prescription drugs, treatment from almost any physician with minimal out of pocket cost.

Thanks for your help.
If you live here full time those days are over. Villages likes to force feed United healthcare under the guise that your 147- part B will go to them then you will have deductibles to meet but it operates like an HMO - you will have to purchase dental and drug separately. If you had health ins in another state where you could choose who to go without a referral those days are gone. There is a crisis of not enough staff nurses and doctors.

[pendi99]

Hello -
After delaying for as long as I can, ( I've been 52 for a while), I'll be turning 65 in a few months and seeking guidance on the best possible medical insurance plan used by fellow Villagers without factoring-in cost.

My COBRA ends when I turn 65 and I am seeking a similar medical insurance plan comparable to my COBRA plan which essentially covered everything including prescription drugs, treatment from almost any physician with minimal out of pocket cost.

Thanks for your help.

There are 2 types of plans, supplements and advantage. You will need to apply for medicare a and b first. After that a supplement does just that it supplements your medicare benefits. An advantage plan replaces your medicare plan. An advantage plan will limit your choices and may have out of area disadvantages.

[KRMACK55]

I am guessing you have UHC, via AARP, Plan F. If you live in Sumter County you can save yourself money by switching to Plan G ( no underwriting required). The Part B deductible (about $200) is covered by Plan F and not Plan G but the Plan G premiums are about $360 less. All other aspects are identical.
Plan F is no longer being written to anyone going on Medicare as of 2020. Those who had it prior are grandfathered in by social security. Only portion is plan F or go cheap and pay big time here

[KRMACK55]

My wife and I took care of my father for three years in our home prior to his death. I took care of all his finances and he had AARP UHC plan F and it paid for everything without question. When I turned 65 I signed up for AARP/UHC as did my wife when she turned 65. I have had the normal health issues, but my wife has had dozens of hospitalizations, in Kansas City as well as in the TV area, and we have never paid a cent out of pocket. There are probably cheaper plans out there, but the peace of mind we get that we are 100% covered is worth more than the premiums we pay (which are hundreds of thousands less than what the insurance has paid.)
But it isn’t offered anymore the feds stopped F. Medicare grandfathered in those who had it. Your knowledge is not up to date.

[Bridget Staunton]

Great advice good neighbors, I like reading about what plan is best. Thanks

[merrymini]

Very complicated. If someone suggested seeing SHINE, and they are an advisory program, I would do that. I navigated the system myself when I turned 65 and it took some effort but you need to know everything about the coverage and your own health status.

[tuccillo]

I already addressed this in post #15. The post I was responding to initially was to someone who clearly was eligible for Plan F and most likely has Plan F.

Plan F is no longer being written to anyone going on Medicare as of 2020. Those who had it prior are grandfathered in by social security. Only portion is plan F or go cheap and pay big time here

[cindyfeh]

I do. As you get older, you can change plans. Your decision is not written in stone. As for now, it is cost effective to be on Plan N.

[cindyfeh]

[QUOTE=cindyfeh;1975589]I do. As you get older, you can change plans. Your decision is not written in stone. As for now, it is cost effective to be on Plan N if you are healthy.

[tuccillo]

Nobody is forcing anyone to go with a Medicare Advantage Plan.

If you live here full time those days are over. Villages likes to force feed United healthcare under the guise that your 147- part B will go to them then you will have deductibles to meet but it operates like an HMO - you will have to purchase dental and drug separately. If you had health ins in another state where you could choose who to go without a referral those days are gone. There is a crisis of not enough staff nurses and doctors.

[Heyitsrick]

I do. As you get older, you can change plans. Your decision is not written in stone. As for now, it is cost effective to be on Plan N.

Be careful with that. If someone opts for a Medicare Advantage (aka MA) plan, the options to "change plans" as you get older to a traditional supplemental plan are quite limited. You have the first year you're on an MA plan to decide whether you want to stay on it. If you renew your MA going forward, you're pretty much stuck ** on MA plans going forward.

What's the problem with that? Well, it depends upon the MA plan, of course, but many of these MA plans are offered because of low or NO premiums, plus the prescription drug plan as part of the MA. Some have free gym membership, some have some limited dental coverage and hearing aid coverage. BUT, become an in-patient in a hospital? You could end up with HUGE premiums for the first few days as an in-patient.

How do I know this? Some doctor's office in TV told my Mom that she needed a particular MA plan to continue seeing the doctor she was seeing. She ultimately had three different in-patient hospital stays one year. That was 9 days of NO coverage (first 3 days of in-patient not covered) for these hospital stays - thousands of dollars in charges that we had to essentially beg the hospital to dismiss out of monetary hardship for Mom.

Bottom line - as mentioned earlier, you don't get something for nothing. "Healthy" seniors love MA plans - until they're not so healthy. It's the restrictions on switching from an MA plan to a supplemental plan that really bite.

To be clear, it's not that you can't switch to a supplemental plan after being on an MA plan for more than the first year. It's that you don't get the underwriting pass that seniors going on a supplemental plan normally get. In other words, the supplemental insurance company will want to assess your current health, and force you to get a physical to ascertain what condition you're in. They can deny supplemental coverage to you, OR make you pay a ton of money.

We got lucky with Mom - her MA plan was a "regional" TV MA plan. One "out" for people wanting to switch away from MA back to guaranteed acceptance Medicare supplemental plans - e.g. plans "G" or "F", etc. - was that if your MA plan is regional and you move outside that region, you can still get guaranteed acceptance back in a traditional supplemental plan; no physical exam required, for example. She moved out of TV to Crystal River. Her TV doctors did not cover that region, so she was able to get back on supplemental Plan G, thankfully. You might not be so lucky if you go with an MA plan and then need much more intensive healthcare coverage while you get older.

Here's a snippet about the risk of going MA:



Avoiding the Medigap Gap

One risk of switching from original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan is that when you leave you may not be eligible for the same Medigap policy you had before you shifted to Medicare Advantage.

When you return to regular Medicare, you have the right to go back to the same Medigap policy you had before you joined the Medicare Advantage plan, if the same insurance company you had before still sells it. If the policy is no longer available, you have a guaranteed right to buy a Medigap policy designated A, B, C, F, K or L that is sold in your state by any insurance company as long as you had Medicare Advantage for less than a year. In these circumstances the insurers cannot refuse you coverage as long as you apply for the Medigap policy no later than 63 days after coverage from your Medicare Advantage plan terminates. The insurance company is required to by law to sell or offer you a Medigap policy even if you have health problems (called "pre-existing conditions"). If you had Medicaid Advantage for a year or more or wait longer than 63 days, you can apply but you aren’t guaranteed of acceptance.

Entering and Leaving Medicare Advantage Plans (https://www.elderlawanswers.com/entering-and-leaving-medicare-advantage-plans-12268)

I'm sure someone here will say something to the effect of "I have full in-patient coverage on my MA plan!" or words to that effect. Just make sure you read all of the plan's policies before signing on so you don't find yourself in a money hole later.

[chuckandbernice]

I've been with Optimum and Freedom Health, same company, since 2011 and could not be happier. I am type 2 diabetic, testing supplies free, tier 1 drugs free, paying $120 of my Medicare premium monthly, free dental cleanings twice a year, my major neck surgery was $100,000 and I paid $174, shoulder surgery $56,000, I paid $200. No copays for Dr visits, free labs and x-rays. $75 worth of items monthly on their web site. My wife $100 pay-down and $50 free from their web site, she is healthy. But some do not like an HMO.

[Roron123]

I myself prefer Medicare (as I can choose any Dr and go to them at any time without a referral) and for my supplemental I have United Health Care who cover the 20% co-pay! I pay $21 a month for my drug plan. BUT if you want a plan which includes a drug plan then you may want an Medicare Advantage Plan which is an all in one plan but check to see if your Dr is in the one you choose! Also you may need a referral from your primary dr to go elsewhere depending on which plan!!

[Marine1974]

Check out plan G with Blue Cross or United Healthcare which will accommodate your needs . Good luck , turning 65 is a good thing with supplemental healthcare coverage .

[Spalumbos62]

[QUOTE=cindyfeh;1975589]I do. As you get older, you can change plans. Your decision is not written in stone. As for now, it is cost effective to be on Plan N if you are healthy.


You can change your plan every year. I went with uhc advantage, a ppo.
This works for me while in NY and FL. Definitely go talk to shine, and remember premium is not the only variable here.
Are you a diabetic, hospital stays, take allot of meds, deductible size.
And once you figure it out....well there is really no perfect answer. But as you said, you are starting soon....if you totally choose wrong-you can change between Oct and Dec.
Good luck
Don't forget 148.50 will come out of your SS monthly check to cover part B...if you don't collect yet, that needs to be covered somehow.
Ps....you are not still working are you? That's another ball of wax.

[Annie66]

If you are a retired military veteran, Tricare for Life is the gold standard. In the past 8 years, my wife and I haven't paid an extra penny that Medicare did not cover.

[cindyfeh]

Be careful with that. If someone opts for a Medicare Advantage (aka MA) plan, the options to "change plans" as you get older to a traditional supplemental plan are quite limited. You have the first year you're on an MA plan to decide whether you want to stay on it. If you renew your MA going forward, you're pretty much stuck ** on MA plans going forward.

What's the problem with that? Well, it depends upon the MA plan, of course, but many of these MA plans are offered because of low or NO premiums, plus the prescription drug plan as part of the MA. Some have free gym membership, some have some limited dental coverage and hearing aid coverage. BUT, become an in-patient in a hospital? You could end up with HUGE premiums for the first few days as an in-patient.

How do I know this? Some doctor's office in TV told my Mom that she needed a particular MA plan to continue seeing the doctor she was seeing. She ultimately had three different in-patient hospital stays one year. That was 9 days of NO coverage (first 3 days of in-patient not covered) for these hospital stays - thousands of dollars in charges that we had to essentially beg the hospital to dismiss out of monetary hardship for Mom.

Bottom line - as mentioned earlier, you don't get something for nothing. "Healthy" seniors love MA plans - until they're not so healthy. It's the restrictions on switching from an MA plan to a supplemental plan that really bite.

To be clear, it's not that you can't switch to a supplemental plan after being on an MA plan for more than the first year. It's that you don't get the underwriting pass that seniors going on a supplemental plan normally get. In other words, the supplemental insurance company will want to assess your current health, and force you to get a physical to ascertain what condition you're in. They can deny supplemental coverage to you, OR make you pay a ton of money.

We got lucky with Mom - her MA plan was a "regional" TV MA plan. One "out" for people wanting to switch away from MA back to guaranteed acceptance Medicare supplemental plans - e.g. plans "G" or "F", etc. - was that if your MA plan is regional and you move outside that region, you can still get guaranteed acceptance back in a traditional supplemental plan; no physical exam required, for example. She moved out of TV to Crystal River. Her TV doctors did not cover that region, so she was able to get back on supplemental Plan G, thankfully. You might not be so lucky if you go with an MA plan and then need much more intensive healthcare coverage while you get older.

Here's a snippet about the risk of going MA:



Entering and Leaving Medicare Advantage Plans (https://www.elderlawanswers.com/entering-and-leaving-medicare-advantage-plans-12268)

I'm sure someone here will say something to the effect of "I have full in-patient coverage on my MA plan!" or words to that effect. Just make sure you read all of the plan's policies before signing on so you don't find yourself in a money hole later..
Yes, sorry. I should have been mire specific. Being able to change from G to N etc. is on the United Health Plan with an AARP supplement. Changing from an Advantage Plan to a Medigap/ Supplement Plan, you would incur underwriters that can refuse to take you or raise your premiums if in poor health.

[PugMom]

Don’t get an advantage plan

i hear everyone say that, but we love ours. we have no deductable, low co-pays & i had no charge for my latest spinal fusion. i can get everything done for so much less. if i need to see a specialist outside the villages, that's ok, too-my dr sets it up & i'm on my way.

[boatorgolf]

Shine is the answer to picking your insurance ! What is good FOR YOU!

[rogerk]

Check with SHINE, ( Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elderly). It is a terrible name, but it is run by the state and volunteers in The Villages are very helpful. Look in the phone book or look at the VHA web site for their contact information.

Be sure you understand the benefits and pitfalls of Advantage plans. There are both! I believe that if you start with an Advantage Plan you can't go back to a traditional Medicare plan, but I'm not sure of that.

Good luck and welcome to all the beuof officially becoming a SENIOR Citizen!😉

[mrkorn12@aol.com]

Keep it simple: Medicare Parts A and B. You can go to any Doctor or Hospital. Part A premium is $0. Part B standard premium is $148.50 per month. It will be more if your AGI exceeds certain thresholds. You need a Medicare Part D for your prescription medicine. If you do not take "serious" medicine-- take the Humana Part D Plan for $17.20 per month. There are several preferred pharmacies including Walmart, Sam's Club, etc. They also offer 90 days supplies by Mail Order-- very convenient, and less costly. To back-up Medicare Parts A and B, take a Medical Supplement Plan (also known as Medigap Plan). I recommend TransAmerica Life Insurance company. They have the lowest premium in Florida. You can see this on the State of Florida Medigap Insurance Company Website. It costs even less if you auto-pay quarterly by Credit Card. If you belong to an Affinity organization-- for the first year only-- the ongoing premium will be a few dollars a month less. When you call them-- they will review all of this with you. Take plan G, it is the most comprehensive, and will cover any Deductibles, Co-Pays and much more. The cost at age 65-- probably about $160 per month. Remember-- all Medigap Plan Letters are standardized by Federal Law-- only the monthly premium varies by Insurance company. If the above is too costly-- start cutting from the above. Of course, all of this is just my humble opinion. SHINE is a good source of information too.

[rmeston]

Thank you for posting that link to SHINEs educational site. It really helped me learn a lot!

[lennythenet]

I am guessing you have UHC, via AARP, Plan F. If you live in Sumter County you can save yourself money by switching to Plan G ( no underwriting required). The Part B deductible (about $200) is covered by Plan F and not Plan G but the Plan G premiums are about $360 less. All other aspects are identical.
We have to do the same in 2022. We spend a few months in Ohio every year. Do you know if UHC-AARP covers medical expenses there as well? I have heard you have to call and request a travel passport and then it is limited to which doctors you can see?

[tuccillo]

It is best to call UHC/AARP, or a broker that represents them, for the fine print. In general, with Medicare and a Supplemental plan, you can pretty much see anyone who accepts Medicare.

We have to do the same in 2022. We spend a few months in Ohio every year. Do you know if UHC-AARP covers medical expenses there as well? I have heard you have to call and request a travel passport and then it is limited to which doctors you can see?

[retiredguy123]

If you are a retired Federal employee, consider keeping your FEHB plan and opting out of Medicare Part B. Since turning 65, I have saved thousands of dollars in Medicare premiums by using my FEHB insurance as my only insurance. The annual catastrophic limit is only $5,000, which I can afford, if needed.

[celiarw]

Hi! I have a very good friend who is a broker for all medicare plans - licensed in Florida. She looks at your medications, history & can advise the best route for you - based on what you choose. Her name is Jeannine Worthington, company is Medicare Solutions for Seniors. Phone number is (800) 205-5176. I highly recommend!

[Samcat13]

Call Pat at 352-348-7019 One of the best insurance agents in the Villages.

[Gmaf6]

As many suggested, SHINE is a great place to start. We faced the same decision a few years ago and decided to go with Florida Blue Supplement F. We're so glad we did....I had two emergency hospital trips and surgery in a State that didn't accept Florida's Medicare Advantage plans and though we have a monthly payment, everything that Medicare didn't cover was covered by Florida Blue; no copay, deductibles, out of pocket on anything. This is a highly personal decision.....I have many friends that have the Advantage plan and love it.

[eweissenbach]

But it isn’t offered anymore the feds stopped F. Medicare grandfathered in those who had it. Your knowledge is not up to date.

My knowledge is totally up to date, your response is not up to date. Nowhere in my post did I say any new Medicare qualifier should buy plan F. I merely stated my experience with it.

[Avista]

i hear everyone say that, but we love ours. we have no deductable, low co-pays & i had no charge for my latest spinal fusion. i can get everything done for so much less. if i need to see a specialist outside the villages, that's ok, too-my dr sets it up & i'm on my way.

We love our Advantage plan too. Have had United for years. Looking into the Florida Blue Advantage plan this year. Their copays seem a little less. Which plan to you recommend?

[villagetinker]

OK, bottom line, ADVANTAGE plans are medical MANAGEMENT plans (NOT insurance), Medicare and a supplemental are INSURANCE plans, make sure you understand the difference between these.