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calgone
09-12-2013, 10:13 PM
Anyone use AARP advantage plan (PPO)by United Health. Looking for PPO plan.
Full time resident in TV

twinklesweep
09-13-2013, 09:48 AM
Anyone use AARP advantage plan (PPO)by United Health. Looking for PPO plan.
Full time resident in TV

I believe that an "advantage" plan is necessarily an HMO program, NOT a PPO. For a PPO, I believe you would have to sign for a Medicare "supplement" plan. I use United HealthCare's Medicare Supplement Plan and have nothing but good things to report about it.

On the other hand (unrelated to your question, so I will start its own thread), the United HealthCare Part D Prescription Plan is not only a nightmare but is absolutely outrageous in its coverages and costs. I will go into more detail when I open its own thread.

Good luck! Send me a PM, please, if you have specific questions.

DDoug
09-13-2013, 10:07 AM
I signed up for their Preferred care partner plan dont know how good or bad it is . It is an HMO but I dont go to the doctor and I do get 99.90 credited back to social security so the plan costs me 5.00. Thats good if nothing changes (fingers crossed)

champion6
09-13-2013, 10:44 AM
I believe that an "advantage" plan is necessarily an HMO program, NOT a PPO.This is not true. For example, UnitedHealthcare offers three advantage plans, one of which is a PPO. Here is a link to the description of these plans: https://www.aarpmedicareplans.com/health-plans/medicare-advantage-plans

Floridagal
09-13-2013, 01:28 PM
We have the AARP Medicare Advantage Plan and it is a PPO and we've been very happy with it for the past two years.

twinklesweep
09-13-2013, 09:58 PM
This is not true. For example, UnitedHealthcare offers three advantage plans, one of which is a PPO. Here is a link to the description of these plans: https://www.aarpmedicareplans.com/health-plans/medicare-advantage-plans

I stand corrected; I had no idea! I'm wondering if this plan didn't exist a looooong time ago when I was researching and choosing my health coverage. At present I have standard Medicare plus United HealthCare Medicare Supplement Plan J. Total monthly cost to me is only the premiums, which are high (regular Medicare plus about $175 for the supplement); there are zero copays and obviously no "network." However, I check each month's statement and consistently find that what the two combined plans pay in terms of coverage exceeds the cost of the premiums. My need for medical care is pretty extensive, so this plan has worked exceptionally well for me. However, I will definitely look into the PPO advantage plan to see if it work just as well and in the long run cost less; thanks again!

Villages PL
09-14-2013, 03:19 PM
I signed up for their Preferred care partner plan dont know how good or bad it is . It is an HMO but I dont go to the doctor and I do get 99.90 credited back to social security so the plan costs me 5.00. Thats good if nothing changes (fingers crossed)

I've been a member of Preferred Care Partners for a few years now and I'm mostly satisfied with it. Although, I don't have any health issues. A recommendation might be better coming from someone who has lots of health issues. That would put it to the test. :)

Quixote
09-14-2013, 11:13 PM
I've been a member of Preferred Care Partners for a few years now and I'm mostly satisfied with it. Although, I don't have any health issues. A recommendation might be better coming from someone who has lots of health issues. That would put it to the test. :)

I was intrigued when I learned through this thread that United HealthCare offers a PPO advantage plan. I looked into it and discussed it with an expert on health insurance programs today. What I learned is that the this one is good for those who "don't have any health issues" (emphasis above is mine). Unfortunately, I have major, ongoing, serious health issues, so I am grateful that there are programs that serve those without health issues and those with them. At least now with the changes in the law, persons with preexisting health issues can no longer be denied health care coverage!

CFrance
09-14-2013, 11:26 PM
I was intrigued when I learned through this thread that United HealthCare offers a PPO advantage plan. I looked into it and discussed it with an expert on health insurance programs today. What I learned is that the this one is good for those who "don't have any health issues" (emphasis above is mine). Unfortunately, I have major, ongoing, serious health issues, so I am grateful that there are programs that serve those without health issues and those with them. At least now with the changes in the law, persons with preexisting health issues can no longer be denied health care coverage!

...

twinklesweep
09-15-2013, 03:58 AM
I was intrigued when I learned through this thread that United HealthCare offers a PPO advantage plan. I looked into it and discussed it with an expert on health insurance programs today. What I learned is that the this one is good for those who "don't have any health issues" (emphasis above is mine). Unfortunately, I have major, ongoing, serious health issues, so I am grateful that there are programs that serve those without health issues and those with them. At least now with the changes in the law, persons with preexisting health issues can no longer be denied health care coverage!

This is my situation too. I am grateful to still be alive.... I am grateful too that healthy seniors have plans available that they can benefit from more reasonably, while those like me have, yes, more costly alternatives that work for us.

Yorio
09-15-2013, 10:17 AM
Noticed that there will be three UnitedHealth retail facilities that will open up in The Villages. What are they and what will be their purpose? I heard that AARP insurance is administered by UnitedHealth and the latter just borrowed the name. After many years our employer retirement program is changing as of the end of this year. They will no longer supply secondary insurance though they will have some kind of reimbursement. IBM will also be doing something like this I hear. We are going into uncharted territory starting next year. If anyone is in similar boat, I'd like to hear. Since I thought I'd have secondary insurance rest of our lives, this is a big surprise.

rknee
09-16-2013, 03:13 PM
I have been on this plan since the beginning of 2013 and am very pleased so far. Even going to an out of network specialist for a $270.00 dollar procedure only costs me $45.00 out of pocket.

aljetmet
09-19-2013, 07:38 PM
We have the AARP Medicare Advantage Plan and it is a PPO and we've been very happy with it for the past two years.

You should have rec'd the new book comparing the plan between 2013 and 2014. The differences are so hugh you wouldn't know they were the same plan.

gomoho
09-19-2013, 07:53 PM
The United Health Care Medicare Stores are open for business and located in Sumter Landing (in the old Southern Lifestyle building), Spanish Springs (across from Too Jays) and Brownwood. They are currently taking appointments for open enrollment starting October 15th.

gerryann
09-19-2013, 08:11 PM
You should have rec'd the new book comparing the plan between 2013 and 2014. The differences are so hugh you wouldn't know they were the same plan.

Yes, the costs went way up!!! ....not good. Makes me wonder how the two popular advantage plans (pcp and pup) will change. No more zero copays for united health, and the other copays have doubled.

RLL39
09-26-2013, 09:50 PM
I just received our new 2014 Annual Notice of changes for our AARP Medicare Complete plan insured through United Healthcare. Yes, the differences in 2014 vs 2013 costs are substantially up for all copays, services etc. Some of the free-bee stuff has been eliminated. Why? I'll try not to make this political...When you take some 700 Billion out of Medicare Advantage plans, it has to come from somewhere. Now we know the rest of the story "Good day," (Paul Harvey.)You should have rec'd the new book comparing the plan between 2013 and 2014. The differences are so hugh you wouldn't know they were the same plan.

Markam
09-27-2013, 09:01 AM
We also have the AARP United Healthcare Medicare Complete advantage plan. It is a PPO type plan and we have been generally happy with it. However we just got the notice of the changes that will be incorporated for 2014 and find that it some minor features, like preventative dental care, will be eliminated and some co-pays and coverage percentages will be not nearly as good. We haven't analyzed the whole package yet but sure doesn't seem as attractive as before. We might be switching.

Consumer Reports just reviewed Advantage plans so you might want to look at that before making a decision.

Also make sure you are making a decision based on the plan's 2014 coverage - not what they offer for 2013.

RuthM
09-27-2013, 09:14 AM
I have the AARP Medicare Complete PPO plan and am really happy with the coverage and providers. My husband has Preferred Care and had a lot of issues with them when he needed major surgery. That really is why I decided not to go with them. Out of network or area and you have a problem.

gerryann
09-27-2013, 09:58 AM
I have the AARP Medicare Complete PPO plan and am really happy with the coverage and providers. My husband has Preferred Care and had a lot of issues with them when he needed major surgery. That really is why I decided not to go with them. Out of network or area and you have a problem.

Have you looked at the changes for 2014 yet?