Capital Blue Cross or United Healthcare

[Whimsey]

We will very shortly be having to purchase supplemental insurance as we will be going on Medicare. We have pretty much decided to go with Plan F either with CBC or UH. My question would be does anyone know whether Blue Cross is accepted by more doctors than United Healthcare or vice versa. We are in PA now but hopefully in TV by late summer or early fall so I would prefer to go with the more accepted one now and not have to change once we move. Thx for any info in advance :smiley:

[wendyquat]

I can't answer for CBC but my husband and I have been on UH for a number of years. With a lot of varied health issues we have, unfortunately, had to visit many doctors and I've paid a total of $12 out of pocket for a test that I was told Medicare would not approve. I've never found a doctor here who did not accept UH but I would think CBC might be the same. IMO F is the best choice! Good luck!

[Whimsey]

I can't answer for CBC but my husband and I have been on UH for a number of years. With a lot of varied health issues we have, unfortunately, had to visit many doctors and I've paid a total of $12 out of pocket for a test that I was told Medicare would not approve. I've never found a doctor here who did not accept UH but I would think CBC might be the same. IMO F is the best choice! Good luck!

Thx Wendyquat for your input. I'm thinking they are about even but I thought it would help to get some feedback from TV folks. Can't wait to get there. Thx again.

[greenhillsgirl]

Also from PA. When we came here 1 1/2 years ago, we found that Florida Blue was the best bet for us at the time. My husband and I went on Medicare earlier this year and chose the Florida Blues as our Medicare supplement. Not knowing what will happen with the government health care directives, doctors going in-and-out of networks all the time, and other issues with claims payment....we feel that the 'Blues' will be around and accepted for a long time to come. Anyway, that's what my research has shown to me. PLUS, the plan you are choosing (same as mine) will pick up your Medicare deductible. We have both used this twice and each provider's staff (at checkout) we own nothing. Yeah!

[gocubsgo]

We have had UH for 12 years and never had any issues although I am dropping my share in the next 2 months and picking up Cigna from work.

[boatmaiden]

If a Dr accepts Medicare, they HAVE to accept any supplement that you have. Doesn't matter what it is since Medicare is your primary insurance.

[MaSgritta]

We will very shortly be having to purchase supplemental insurance as we will be going on Medicare. We have pretty much decided to go with Plan F either with CBC or UH. My question would be does anyone know whether Blue Cross is accepted by more doctors than United Healthcare or vice versa. We are in PA now but hopefully in TV by late summer or early fall so I would prefer to go with the more accepted one now and not have to change once we move. Thx for any info in advance :smiley:

Avoid Florida Blue Cross - Blue Shield known here as Florida Blue! Florida Blue looks like a good plan, but it is fairly useless. In December my husband signed up for the regional PPO. They told us that our primary doctor and dentist were on the plan, but he just went to use it for the first time and found out that they are not. Florida Blue promises $10 co-pay for primary care in network, $40 out-of network which looks like good coverage, but we were told in the very, very fine print that the out-of-network co-pay applies only after a $750. deductable. They promise dental work, but there are only two Village dentists who take their plan, and that is iffy. No Village location takes their "Silver Sneakers" plan. In general, one would be better off with Medicare Part B by itself than with the Florida Blue plan. We wish we had known; now he has to wait until 2014 to switch.

[Whimsey]

Also from PA. When we came here 1 1/2 years ago, we found that Florida Blue was the best bet for us at the time. My husband and I went on Medicare earlier this year and chose the Florida Blues as our Medicare supplement. Not knowing what will happen with the government health care directives, doctors going in-and-out of networks all the time, and other issues with claims payment....we feel that the 'Blues' will be around and accepted for a long time to come. Anyway, that's what my research has shown to me. PLUS, the plan you are choosing (same as mine) will pick up your Medicare deductible. We have both used this twice and each provider's staff (at checkout) we own nothing. Yeah!

Thx greenhillsgirl. I too think the Blues will stick around. When I saw you were from PA and I saw green hills in your name I thought maybe you were from Berks County as we have a part of the county called Green Hills but then I realized you are probably from Green Hills, PA a totally different area. Anyway hello fellow ex Pennsylvanian.

We have had UH for 12 years and never had any issues although I am dropping my share in the next 2 months and picking up Cigna from work.

gocubsgo - I'll bet UH is just as good as CBC but I am just more familiar with CBC. Had Cigna in the past and had a few problems but still pretty good.

If a Dr accepts Medicare, they HAVE to accept any supplement that you have. Doesn't matter what it is since Medicare is your primary insurance.

Thx boatmaiden. I never considered that. Thanks for bringing that to my attention. You can learn so much on TOTV. Love this place :pepper2:

[Whimsey]

Avoid Florida Blue Cross - Blue Shield known here as Florida Blue! Florida Blue looks like a good plan, but it is fairly useless. In December my husband signed up for the regional PPO. They told us that our primary doctor and dentist were on the plan, but he just went to use it for the first time and found out that they are not. Florida Blue promises $10 co-pay for primary care in network, $40 out-of network which looks like good coverage, but we were told in the very, very fine print that the out-of-network co-pay applies only after a $750. deductable. They promise dental work, but there are only two Village dentists who take their plan, and that is iffy. No Village location takes their "Silver Sneakers" plan. In general, one would be better off with Medicare Part B by itself than with the Florida Blue plan. We wish we had known; now he has to wait until 2014 to switch.

MaSgritta - sorry for the way it worked out for you. I will stick with Capital Blue Cross and get the Select Plan F. My mother had this and was in and out of the hospital for years and never paid a dime. The monthly rate is more expensive but it does cover everything. Who knows with all the changes in medical insurance maybe by 2014 there will be new choices. Hope you don't need to utilize it until you can make a change next year.

[Lbmb24101]

We are still in Ga and have used UH for yrs without issues
My husband has had major major health issues and UH has been AWESOME
( i hope I am not jinksin this luck)
UH is national so i assume drs in Fl accept it
At least, that is our huge hope.....

[greenhillsgirl]

Just wanted to let you know that I AM from Berks County....Green Hills, a little area off Rt 10 between Reading and Morgantown. Smiling now because I am here and not there in the snowy weather!!

[Villager Dude]

Just wanted to let you know that I AM from Berks County....Green Hills, a little area off Rt 10 between Reading and Morgantown. Smiling now because I am here and not there in the snowy weather!!

Make sure you consider what you have if you want to consider being a part of the new Villages Health Program, AKA Marcus Welby .

The only advantage plan they will take is United Health Care. They do take most subplemental plans .

[Whimsey]

Just wanted to let you know that I AM from Berks County....Green Hills, a little area off Rt 10 between Reading and Morgantown. Smiling now because I am here and not there in the snowy weather!!

greenhillsgirl - you lucky devil ! Hopefully we'll be there before Fall. It really is a small world. Maybe we will meet up when we move there :coolsmiley::coolsmiley:


Make sure you consider what you have if you want to consider being a part of the new Villages Health Program, AKA Marcus Welby .

The only advantage plan they will take is United Health Care. They do take most subplemental plans .

Hi VillagerDude --We are not going to do an advantage plan but rather the CBC Select F plan which is regular supplemental insurance so it sounds like we should be okay based on your last sentence. Hope I'm reading that correctly. Thanks for the information - very helpful to know that.

[Mamaderby]

Does either Florida Blue or UHC offer a plan for those of us who are not eligible for Medicare for a few years?