View Full Version : Insurance change unaccepted by The Villages Health.
bwasman
01-11-2023, 03:57 PM
The Teachers Retirement System in Illinois has replaced United Health Care Medicare Advantage PPO with a new policy contracted with Aetna Medicare Advantage PPO. Use of the new policy has been denied by The Villages Health System and anyone using it has to find new Dr.'s outside The Villages system resulting in delayed care and far out appointments. No reason is given by The Villages System other than a flat No to Aetna personell.
Babubhat
01-11-2023, 04:17 PM
Bad luck. A victim of Teachers cost cutting likely.
Davonu
01-11-2023, 04:18 PM
Amazing. My employer did the same…with Aetna also. After one year, we went back to UHC on our own and are very happy. We even save money on premiums every month with very small increases in deductibles. :)
Altavia
01-11-2023, 04:21 PM
And that's why you want to stay with standard Medicare if you can afford it...
JoMar
01-11-2023, 04:25 PM
The Teachers Retirement System in Illinois has replaced United Health Care Medicare Advantage PPO with a new policy contracted with Aetna Medicare Advantage PPO. Use of the new policy has been denied by The Villages Health System and anyone using it has to find new Dr.'s outside The Villages system resulting in delayed care and far out appointments. No reason is given by The Villages System other than a flat No to Aetna personell.
The Villages Health dropped Aetna plans years ago.....we were one of those that was dropped. Reasons speculated on by residents is that Aetna's payments were slow and always contested, the profit margin was adversely impacted by Aetna and procedures were routinely questioned. Don't know if true or not but The Villages Health is a business so they make their decisions based on business models. We stayed in the system and haven't regretted it.
Carla B
01-11-2023, 04:55 PM
My daughter spent five years in her job battling against Aetna and their refusual to pay claims submitted by her employer, a hospital system. She said they have doctors and lawyers lined up to pick apart contracts and find reasons not to pay claims. And now, the irony is that this year her same employer has contracted to buy health insurance from Aetna.
BrianL99
01-11-2023, 05:43 PM
The Teachers Retirement System in Illinois has replaced United Health Care Medicare Advantage PPO with a new policy contracted with Aetna Medicare Advantage PPO. Use of the new policy has been denied by The Villages Health System and anyone using it has to find new Dr.'s outside The Villages system resulting in delayed care and far out appointments. No reason is given by The Villages System other than a flat No to Aetna personell.
This what they accept and they've always been clear & upfront about it.
https://thevillageshealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2431-TVH-Accepted-Insurance-Flyer-Update-v4.pdf
GaryKoca
01-12-2023, 07:09 AM
Even with standard Medicare, you probably still need some type of supplemental insurance. We have basic Federal Employees Health Benefits, with pretty much covers everything Medicare does not. But you have to be a retired Federal employee to get that insurance.
Ritagoyer
01-12-2023, 07:37 AM
And that's why you want to stay with standard Medicare if you can afford it...
But they will run into the same problem they do not except Medicare
nob77@comcast.net
01-12-2023, 07:47 AM
The Teachers Retirement System in Illinois has replaced United Health Care Medicare Advantage PPO with a new policy contracted with Aetna Medicare Advantage PPO. Use of the new policy has been denied by The Villages Health System and anyone using it has to find new Dr.'s outside The Villages system resulting in delayed care and far out appointments. No reason is given by The Villages System other than a flat No to Aetna personell.
Simple. Aetna doesn’t pay(enough)
BrianL99
01-12-2023, 07:54 AM
But they will run into the same problem they do not except Medicare
Yes they do.
jarodrig
01-12-2023, 08:02 AM
Yes they do.
The discussion is about PRIMARY CARE doctors.
Specialty Care doctors are not primary care doctors.
Once again , The Villages Health DOES NOT accept standard Medicare ……
My wife and I were kicked out upon reaching 65 and going on Medicare…..
retiredguy123
01-12-2023, 08:11 AM
Even with standard Medicare, you probably still need some type of supplemental insurance. We have basic Federal Employees Health Benefits, with pretty much covers everything Medicare does not. But you have to be a retired Federal employee to get that insurance.
I am a retired Federal employee and I save thousands of dollars by having the standard Blue Cross plan, but do not have Medicare Part B. The Blue Cross plan covers almost everything I need, and it has a low catastrophic limit of $6,000 per year. The Medicare premiums are too high, especially if you are subject to IRMAA.
Babubhat
01-12-2023, 08:17 AM
Bottom line is employers get an incentive from the new insurance provider. When the contract is up they bid out the business to get another incentive. They have no interest in whether you like it or not.
asiebel
01-12-2023, 08:20 AM
We have had to change not only primary care but eye Dr, pain management, and where we purchase medications. Hope it is a good company!
bwasman
01-12-2023, 08:29 AM
The Villages Health dropped Aetna plans years ago.....we were one of those that was dropped. Reasons speculated on by residents is that Aetna's payments were slow and always contested, the profit margin was adversely impacted by Aetna and procedures were routinely questioned. Don't know if true or not but The Villages Health is a business so they make their decisions based on business models. We stayed in the system and haven't regretted it.
I'm not certain which system you "stayed" in. The Villages Health or Aetna. Thank you for your input...it was very helpful!
YeOldeCurmudgeon
01-12-2023, 08:50 AM
I had problems with Aetna over a grievance. The customer service in the Philippines did their job but the executive office did not. In fact, I believe there is corruption in the ERT (Executive Response Team) based on my experience. I switched to UHC because of that.
Jacob85
01-12-2023, 08:53 AM
That happened to us a few years ago. I had to find another doctor. I think it may be because of their billing and it’s so frustrating because we liked our doctors
loweglor
01-12-2023, 09:05 AM
Same thing happened to me over a year ago. I liked my PCP at Villages Health but had to change. Not too happy with new PCP but will survive. Aetna has proven to be a little more complicated than UHC to work with. They don't require a PCP and the ones they do have in-network are few and far between. Also, they require prior authorization on many procedures that UHC did not. I have no choice because my husband worked at Pinellas County Government and they made the decision to change whether we liked it or not, no alternative. I would go back to UHC in a minute if they had an affordable plan.
kendi
01-12-2023, 09:17 AM
And that's why you want to stay with standard Medicare if you can afford it...
Last time I checked TV health only takes certain advantage plans and private insurance. So standard Medicare wouldn’t help in this case.
ron32162
01-12-2023, 09:22 AM
Sounds like your saying its The Village Health Systems fault. Complain to your Teachers retirement system Maybe they are trying to save money on Health policies, everything is sky high. Welcome to reality its now affecting you.
Singerlady
01-12-2023, 09:28 AM
I am also an Illinois retired teacher. Will they not accept you to use them as an out of network doctor? They can refuse to bill the insurance, but you can pay and submit.
Singerlady
01-12-2023, 09:30 AM
Maybe, but the State is required to put our insurance out for bid every 3 years.
BrianL99
01-12-2023, 09:41 AM
The discussion is about PRIMARY CARE doctors.
Specialty Care doctors are not primary care doctors.
Once again , The Villages Health DOES NOT accept standard Medicare ……
My wife and I were kicked out upon reaching 65 and going on Medicare…..
That's not what the original poster asked. For you, it's perhaps about PRIMARY CARE doctors for you, but the OP made a blanket statement that said the Villages Healthcare system doesn't take Medicare. That is untrue.
chrissy2231
01-12-2023, 09:56 AM
But they will run into the same problem they do not except Medicare
I've had Med Advantage for 11 years & LUV it.
chrissy2231
01-12-2023, 09:59 AM
Yes they do.
for specialist, not primary
rustyp
01-12-2023, 10:03 AM
From The Villages Health website:
"If you are Medicare Eligible, you have an important choice to make about Medicare and the primary care services you receive in this community. The Villages Health is a health care system specifically designed for your lifestyle, but when it comes to Medicare we only partner with a few Medicare Advantage plans."
1. The Villages Health is only one option in TV. Many conventional services that most of you are familiar with "back home" exist here.
2. If you are being provided health insurance through your former employer where you must take the plan your employer provides The Villages Health will not be a very good fit for you.
3. If you are not a fan of advantage plans TV Health is not for you.
Rodneysblue
01-12-2023, 10:48 AM
The Teachers Retirement System in Illinois has replaced United Health Care Medicare Advantage PPO with a new policy contracted with Aetna Medicare Advantage PPO. Use of the new policy has been denied by The Villages Health System and anyone using it has to find new Dr.'s outside The Villages system resulting in delayed care and far out appointments. No reason is given by The Villages System other than a flat No to Aetna personell.
The problem is not with The Villages, it’s with TRSIL. They’re the ones who changed. TVH switched years ago, not just recently.
Burgy
01-12-2023, 10:59 AM
I'm not certain which system you "stayed" in. The Villages Health or Aetna. Thank you for your input...it was very helpful! It seems many people who move to TV bring the retirement "perk" of health insurance which doesn't work well here. If you aren't on Medicare you have to shop around for who and where accepts your plan and many are disappointed with their options. The UHC advantage Medicare plan has seemed to me to be a "perk" for many with The Villages Health primary care offices and a pretty good specialty and hospital network. I doubt many people are better off hanging on to their old employer plan either care or cost wise.
bwasman
01-12-2023, 11:14 AM
Agreed. It's always about money.
bwasman
01-12-2023, 11:20 AM
Not saying the Villages are at fault...I am stuck with Aetna and know the retirement system I come from negotiated the new contract. They did say we have identical coverage but did not say Aetna was available at the same places. Thanks for your response.
villagetinker
01-12-2023, 11:34 AM
Yes they do.
The highlighted section is correct, AT THEIR SPECIALITY CENTERS, the villages health system DOES NOT accept medicare. I use 2 or 3 village specialists with medicare, I cannot use the villages health for a PCP.
Keninches
01-12-2023, 11:50 AM
So true. The regular internists are not the same as specialists. At The Villages Health.
Karmanng
01-12-2023, 11:56 AM
The Teachers Retirement System in Illinois has replaced United Health Care Medicare Advantage PPO with a new policy contracted with Aetna Medicare Advantage PPO. Use of the new policy has been denied by The Villages Health System and anyone using it has to find new Dr.'s outside The Villages system resulting in delayed care and far out appointments. No reason is given by The Villages System other than a flat No to Aetna personell.
INSURANCES can change at any time from year to year ESPCIALLY if they are advantage plans.........FYI
lulliedoll
01-12-2023, 12:28 PM
I have Michigan Blue which is identical to Florida Blue. All my bills are run through Florida Blue however The Villages Healthcare will not accept Michigan Blue although they do now accept Florida Blue. It makes no sense.
Rainger99
01-12-2023, 01:45 PM
The highlighted section is correct, AT THEIR SPECIALITY CENTERS, the villages health system DOES NOT accept medicare. I use 2 or 3 village specialists with medicare, I cannot use the villages health for a PCP.
Now I am confused. This is from their website.
At our Specialty Care Division, we accept most major medical insurance, including Medicare and Medicare Supplement plans.
Medical Specialty Specialist & Services | The Villages Health Florida (https://thevillageshealth.com/all-services/specialty-services/)
rustyp
01-12-2023, 02:24 PM
Now I am confused. This is from their website.
At our Specialty Care Division, we accept most major medical insurance, including Medicare and Medicare Supplement plans.
Medical Specialty Specialist & Services | The Villages Health Florida (https://thevillageshealth.com/all-services/specialty-services/)
The primary care side of the villages health has the advantage plan only rule while the specialty care has a different set of rules as you outlined.
From The Villages Health website:
"If you are Medicare Eligible, you have an important choice to make about Medicare and the primary care services you receive in this community. The Villages Health is a health care system specifically designed for your lifestyle, but when it comes to Medicare we only partner with a few Medicare Advantage plans."
Buckeyephan
01-12-2023, 03:14 PM
I have had an Aetna Medicare advantage plan through Ohio teachers’ retirement for 12 years and am very pleased. When we moved here 9 years ago, I joined the Villages system. About 15 months later, I was kicked out. Technically, my plan is considered a PPO but because it is from Ohio, there aren’t any in network doctors. That is why mine has an extended service area. That means every doctor and hospital is in network for me. Perhaps the Illinois coverage will be broad like mine is. I hope so.
JoMar
01-12-2023, 08:31 PM
I'm not certain which system you "stayed" in. The Villages Health or Aetna. Thank you for your input...it was very helpful!
We wanted to stay with The Villages Health so we switched to United Health. Also, they came out with a new Focus plan this year, we switched to that...co-pays came down and coverages went up.
JoMar
01-12-2023, 08:35 PM
Same thing happened to me over a year ago. I liked my PCP at Villages Health but had to change. Not too happy with new PCP but will survive. Aetna has proven to be a little more complicated than UHC to work with. They don't require a PCP and the ones they do have in-network are few and far between. Also, they require prior authorization on many procedures that UHC did not. I have no choice because my husband worked at Pinellas County Government and they made the decision to change whether we liked it or not, no alternative. I would go back to UHC in a minute if they had an affordable plan.
Not sure what you mean by affordable?
YouNeverKnow
01-12-2023, 10:12 PM
I have Michigan Blue which is identical to Florida Blue. All my bills are run through Florida Blue however The Villages Healthcare will not accept Michigan Blue although they do now accept Florida Blue. It makes no sense.
I also have Michigan Blue. (Medicare Advantage Blue Cross Blue Shield) All my billing goes through Florida Blue. The Villages Health and all the PCP providers are listed in my Providers booklet. I’ve met with several new patient representatives and they said they will not take my Insurance. I called my insurance and they said they don’t understand why they will not take the insurance since they get paid the same and it’s the same network. The Villages insisted I had to drop that insurance (from my Michigan retirement system) and switch to Florida Blue.
Jayhawk
01-12-2023, 11:50 PM
The discussion is about PRIMARY CARE doctors.
My wife and I were kicked out upon reaching 65 and going on Medicare…..
No one was "kicked out' of TV Health, but those who CHOOSE not to use the accepted insurance plans can not utilize the services. But everyone who says they were kicked out made their own decision.
Isn't that pretty much how it works for ALL MEDICAL providers, who decide which insurances to accept and which to not?
HawkinsGuy
01-13-2023, 05:43 AM
Even with standard Medicare, you probably still need some type of supplemental insurance. We have basic Federal Employees Health Benefits, with pretty much covers everything Medicare does not. But you have to be a retired Federal employee to get that insurance.. I’ll have to look into that. Right now between my FEHB Blue Cross/Blue Shield plan and Medicare parts A and B, for my wife and I, it costs a total of about $1400 a month. Medicare is primary. We get to choose our own physicians. Our wonderful PCP is outside The Villages Health but we use Villages Specialists and I had a brief stay in The Village emergency room and hospital. Fully paid between both plans. Not even a copay. Expensive and not worth it- until it is!
bp243
01-13-2023, 06:47 AM
I have had an Aetna Medicare advantage plan through Ohio teachers’ retirement for 12 years and am very pleased. When we moved here 9 years ago, I joined the Villages system. About 15 months later, I was kicked out. Technically, my plan is considered a PPO but because it is from Ohio, there aren’t any in network doctors. That is why mine has an extended service area. That means every doctor and hospital is in network for me. Perhaps the Illinois coverage will be broad like mine is. I hope so.
Thanks for your post! It sounds like the Illinois plan that switched from UHC to Aetna will work the same way, at least that’s what we were told. Since the switch just occurred on January 1, 2023, is there any advice that would be helpful to know?
retiredguy123
01-13-2023, 07:02 AM
. I’ll have to look into that. Right now between my FEHB Blue Cross/Blue Shield plan and Medicare parts A and B, for my wife and I, it costs a total of about $1400 a month. Medicare is primary. We get to choose our own physicians. Our wonderful PCP is outside The Villages Health but we use Villages Specialists and I had a brief stay in The Village emergency room and hospital. Fully paid between both plans. Not even a copay. Expensive and not worth it- until it is!
If you are paying $16,800 per year in insurance premiums, I would recommend that you do the math and compare what would happen if you cancel Medicare Part B. Part A is free. I have the FEHB Blue Cross standard plan as my only insurance. The annual catastrophic limit is only $6,000. So, the maximum out of pocket expense for me would be $6,000 (which I can afford if necessary) and everything after that, including drugs, is fully covered. The Medicare Part B benefits are mostly redundant with Blue Cross and almost every provider accepts the Blue Cross. For me, it is a no brainer to not carry Medicare Part B.
mlmarr
01-13-2023, 07:33 AM
But they will run into the same problem they do not except Medicare
Medicare is also a tough cookie to get to pay .. many doctors fuss about it all the time.. you really need this .... but medicare says otherwise .. currently seeing medicare doing a 5 yr pt audits .. doctors forced to pay back$$$.. guess who is getting the bill.. you are.
just stay healthy ..
hoot2602
01-13-2023, 07:36 AM
The Teachers Retirement System in Illinois has replaced United Health Care Medicare Advantage PPO with a new policy contracted with Aetna Medicare Advantage PPO. Use of the new policy has been denied by The Villages Health System and anyone using it has to find new Dr.'s outside The Villages system resulting in delayed care and far out appointments. No reason is given by The Villages System other than a flat No to Aetna personell.
I am an Illinois State retiree. In the first month of this new Aetna coverage I have experienced delays in pre-certification and refusals . There are two large reasons why Aetna is not widely accepted in TV: poor rates (what Aetna pays) and late payments (up to 6 months to get paid) after services are rendered.
NotGolfer
01-13-2023, 08:30 AM
It's always about the money.....the days of actually caring about the patient is most likely over. Doctor's have paperwork up the wazoo....it takes a lot of their time. IF you're not with TVH and complain about long waits and quick contact with dr's at app'ts. This is one of the reasons why. They need to see as many patients as possible to get the $$$$$ they feel they're entitled to. It's become complicated!
YeOldeCurmudgeon
01-13-2023, 11:39 AM
I suspect there is corruption at the executive level in Aetna. I ran into a problem with a dentist who was using two names, one for out-of-network listing and the other for his bills, so that he could charge out-of-network prices. I filed a grievance and Aetna rejected it. I filed another and then it went to their executive team (ERT) and the lead person advocated for dentist rather than me who was their subscriber -- obviously, they should be my advocate because they're advocating for the dentist to charge a higher fee and it's costing Aetna more money. In the end, they finally accepted my grievance and I didn't have to pay.
I filed a complaint to HHS and nothing has come of it.
Buckeyephan
01-13-2023, 01:02 PM
Except for The Villages, I have not encountered any doctors who would not take my insurance. My daughter lives in a Virginia suburb of DC. In her area, fewer and fewer will take any insurance at all. They are adopting the concierge model.
Flyers999
01-13-2023, 02:26 PM
NJ State retiree here. I have Aetna Medicare PPO and have not had a problem, yet. If I need a specialist, I go to their website and put in my zip code and it gives me a list of specialists nearby.
jump4
01-13-2023, 03:56 PM
Sounds like your saying its The Village Health Systems fault. Complain to your Teachers retirement system Maybe they are trying to save money on Health policies, everything is sky high. Welcome to reality its now affecting you.
Yes, it is absolutely the fault of The Villages Health primary care to not accept Standard Medicare.
Pairadocs
01-13-2023, 05:26 PM
The Teachers Retirement System in Illinois has replaced United Health Care Medicare Advantage PPO with a new policy contracted with Aetna Medicare Advantage PPO. Use of the new policy has been denied by The Villages Health System and anyone using it has to find new Dr.'s outside The Villages system resulting in delayed care and far out appointments. No reason is given by The Villages System other than a flat No to Aetna personell.
I was stunned to find that my insurance was changed without any prior notifications, with no input from me, just two weeks ago received a new card ???? Called TRS and was told, "Oh, you didn't know ? We've changed companies !" Have not used the villages health care, but am starting this month to explore options for cancelling the TRS insurance completely. Have heard Florida Blue Cross is very good but want to check that out myself, as "very good" to some may be entirely different for the situation of another ! Not really surprised about the Villages H.C. system not accepting, probably not nearly as good as the previous company UHC. If TRS could get poorer coverage but save $$$ they definitely would go for it...Illinois is, after all, flat broke...LOL !
Vladimir
01-13-2023, 05:26 PM
NJ State retiree here. I have Aetna Medicare PPO and have not had a problem, yet. If I need a specialist, I go to their website and put in my zip code and it gives me a list of specialists nearby.
My wife also is retired NJ teacher. The health plan via Aetna Medicare PPO is a state negotiated custom plan only for teachers and is a great plan.
No premiums, $10 doctor copay and I can go to any primary or specialist doctor. All hospital costs covered and they also reimburse us for the Medicare part B premiums.
I guess that's why I was paying all those high taxes in NJ
Pairadocs
01-13-2023, 05:30 PM
I am an Illinois State retiree. In the first month of this new Aetna coverage I have experienced delays in pre-certification and refusals . There are two large reasons why Aetna is not widely accepted in TV: poor rates (what Aetna pays) and late payments (up to 6 months to get paid) after services are rendered.
Bingo ! When I found out my insurance had been changed I expected to get much poorer coverage for more $$$ ! Hope people on here who find desirable options will post the info for others as they find them !
Pairadocs
01-13-2023, 05:34 PM
Except for The Villages, I have not encountered any doctors who would not take my insurance. My daughter lives in a Virginia suburb of DC. In her area, fewer and fewer will take any insurance at all. They are adopting the concierge model.
You have not found doctors who reject your coverage ? Do you actually have your Aetna through Illinois TRS ? ?
Pairadocs
01-13-2023, 05:44 PM
We wanted to stay with The Villages Health so we switched to United Health. Also, they came out with a new Focus plan this year, we switched to that...co-pays came down and coverages went up.
Question: I "assume" (?) when you dropped your TRS United H.C. plan, of course your monthly premium is no longer taken from your pension check, correct ?
So now that you are paying your monthly rate personally, how much did your rate increase ? If you don't want to say the amount, could you post the percentage ? Just wondering if I cancel my TRS (meaning no group rate advantage), is the percent of increase substantial ?
Pairadocs
01-13-2023, 05:46 PM
NJ State retiree here. I have Aetna Medicare PPO and have not had a problem, yet. If I need a specialist, I go to their website and put in my zip code and it gives me a list of specialists nearby.
Thank you for the information, not sure if Illinois will be the same, but definitely will check that out thanks to your experience.
Pairadocs
01-13-2023, 05:57 PM
Sounds like your saying its The Village Health Systems fault. Complain to your Teachers retirement system Maybe they are trying to save money on Health policies, everything is sky high. Welcome to reality its now affecting you.
Oh yes, it is definitely the Illinois Teacher's Retirement system, of course they are trying to save money, the state is broke, but... they do NOT provide the insurance, they only allow retirees to purchase as a group and they premiums are taken out of your monthly pension check as a "courtesy". Those who move from the state after retirement must take the preferred provider option, "networks" are not available out of Illinois. So the most interesting and important item will be the difference in monthly premiums by going with another insurance company on our own.
Pairadocs
01-13-2023, 06:02 PM
Amazing. My employer did the same…with Aetna also. After one year, we went back to UHC on our own and are very happy. We even save money on premiums every month with very small increases in deductibles. :)
That's the info I'm looking for. Did call UHC or did you seek out an insurance agent here to get the rates, conditions, etc concerning UHC ?
Pairadocs
01-13-2023, 06:06 PM
Not sure what you mean by affordable?
No sure, I was not the author of that post, but I took "affordable" to mean: a rate similar or same as the rate I was being charged automatically from my monthly pension check. Poster may have been thinking (as I am), if the percentage is much higher than the group rate through TRS, then it might be UN-affordable. Again, that is only my interpretation.
Jayhawk
01-13-2023, 08:55 PM
Yes, it is absolutely the fault of The Villages Health primary care to not accept Standard Medicare.
Or is it your "fault" for not subscribing to the Advantage plans they have said are acceptable and welcomed? You make your choices, the providers make theirs. Sometimes they are the same, sometimes not.
togabill
01-16-2023, 10:55 PM
Not true. They use to take BCBS PPO
Triker
01-20-2023, 06:56 PM
So where are people with Aetna insurance going?
Pairadocs
01-20-2023, 07:10 PM
I am a retired Federal employee and I save thousands of dollars by having the standard Blue Cross plan, but do not have Medicare Part B. The Blue Cross plan covers almost everything I need, and it has a low catastrophic limit of $6,000 per year. The Medicare premiums are too high, especially if you are subject to IRMAA.
IRMAA is what ? ?
Davonu
01-20-2023, 07:18 PM
So where are people with Aetna insurance going?
Back to UHC in our case.
Even with standard Medicare, you probably still need some type of supplemental insurance. We have basic Federal Employees Health Benefits, with pretty much covers everything Medicare does not. But you have to be a retired Federal employee to get that insurance.
I have the Federal Employee Insurance too. It's not cheap but it's no problem using here. I'm not in The Villages United Health care tho.
I am a retired Federal employee and I save thousands of dollars by having the standard Blue Cross plan, but do not have Medicare Part B. The Blue Cross plan covers almost everything I need, and it has a low catastrophic limit of $6,000 per year. The Medicare premiums are too high, especially if you are subject to IRMAA.
I though of doing that. I am subject to IRMAA and wish I had the nerve to cut the cord with Medicare Part B. It is VERY expensive and BC/BS covers I think almost everything. What can you tell me about the catastrophic. Is that different from Medicare?
If you are paying $16,800 per year in insurance premiums, I would recommend that you do the math and compare what would happen if you cancel Medicare Part B. Part A is free. I have the FEHB Blue Cross standard plan as my only insurance. The annual catastrophic limit is only $6,000. So, the maximum out of pocket expense for me would be $6,000 (which I can afford if necessary) and everything after that, including drugs, is fully covered. The Medicare Part B benefits are mostly redundant with Blue Cross and almost every provider accepts the Blue Cross. For me, it is a no brainer to not carry Medicare Part B.
But now do you have to pay a yearly deductible plus co-pays? It still might save you money but is that how it works if you use Federal BC/BS as your primary ins?
loweglor
01-21-2023, 12:37 AM
What I mean by affordable is a plan that is not three times more expensive in the individual market than it is in the commercial market.
retiredguy123
01-21-2023, 03:49 AM
But now do you have to pay a yearly deductible plus co-pays? It still might save you money but is that how it works if you use Federal BC/BS as your primary ins?
I have the Federal Blue Cross Standard plan as my only insurance, and do not have Medicare Part B. Part A is free. None of the providers in the area have rejected my plan. In fact, they seem to like it. I do pay copays and an annual deductible of $350, but all out-of-pocket payments, including drug copays apply to the annual catastrophic limit of $6,000. I could easily afford the catastrophic limit if I ever needed to. But, I am saving thousands of dollars by not paying the Medicare Part B premiums. Do the math for your own situation. Good luck.
retiredguy123
01-21-2023, 04:00 AM
IRMAA is what ? ?
The IRMAA was enacted in 2003. IRMAA is the "Medicare income-related monthly adjustment amount". It means that your Medicare Part B and Part D monthly premiums are higher if your income exceeds a certain amount. In 2023, the lowest Medicare Part B monthly premium is $164.90, and the highest premium is $560.50, depending on your income.
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