[biker1]

You may wish to take a look at Plan G. The only difference between Plan F and Plan G is that Plan F includes the $240 per year Part B deductible. However, the differences in the premiums can be greater than $240. Some insurance companies allow you to switch between the different lettered plans without underwriting. Plan N can be even lower total cost if you don’t have many visits.

Originally Posted by RICH1

My Supplemental " F" plan works for me. I can sleep at night knowing I'm covered.. It's called Health Insurance and it's part of life..

[MX rider]

oops

[Boomer]

. . .

[MX rider]

We're on AARP UHC Advantage HMO/PPO in Indiana and really like it. We do not need referals and they have a very large nationwide network. And no, they don't deny 70% of what doctors order. That's fake news.

Since we just moved here we signed up for the The Villages UHC Advantage plan for 2025 after much research.
As with many things in life, some plans are better than others. Moffitt is not in our network, but Shands and Advent Health in Orlando are, and they're very highly rated.

We also love the wellness benefits, vision and dental, we use them all.

There's no one size fits all as many of "medicare experts" here try to claim. Choice is good.
We chose MA because we thought it was the best fit for us, plain and simple. And I would guess that many of the over 50% of new enrollees that choose MA plans did the same and didn't just do it for cost.

And please stop with the "I don't want an insurance company in charge of my healthcare" crap. Almost all of us that had employer provided health insurance had it thru a for profit company. This is not new! I was with Sysco for many years and I was happy with my insurance overall.

I would never tell someone which to go with. That's a very specific, personal decision. I'm just here giving our experience with MA and the how and why we chose it, and trying to debunk some of the false statements.

Btw, SHINE said this was a very good option for us.

All that said, do the research. The information is out there and easy to find. Also talk to people on the plan if you can. We did

[JRcorvette]

Originally Posted by gmdds

If you saw the ad in The Daily Sun, on 10/16, by Florida Blue, comparing Advantage plans, be very careful, as it is comparing their 2024 plan. I have found out that Florida Blue has chosen not to renew their contract with Moffitt for 2025. Apparently Moffitt wanted to renew, but Florida Blue didn’t.

It seems pretty deceptive, as the ad came out one day into the enrollment period, but in smaller print states that it is comparing 2024 plans.

That is the main problem with all Advantage Plans where you have to stay In Network. If you really get sick you might be out of luck. Medicare plus a good supplement is much better but yes more expensive. What’s your health worth?

[Gunny2403]

You need to recheck. Moffitt is NOT included

[Andyb]

In a nutshell, Advantage plans are more about the government controlling your healthcare than yourself. Why do you think it is being pushed so hard.

[MX rider]

Originally Posted by Gunny2403

You need to recheck. Moffitt is NOT included

Its in our network with UHC. I did check that.

[G.R.I.T.S.]

PPO Advantage plans don’t require referrals.

[Michael 61]

What has me skittish about Advantage plans, are those who say “you’ll love it until you don’t”. Younger, healthier people absolutely love their advantage plans and all the “freebies” that come with it. I’m trying to make and educated decision, not just looking at the present, but 20 years from now when I’m in my 80s with the possibility of deteriorating health, illnesses, disease, etc. Would I want advantage or traditional Medicare at that point? Would I have to be concerned year-to-year that any of my medical providers could opt out of the insurance plan I’m currently on?

I’ve been under “managed care” most of my working life, and still am, since I’m not Medicare age yet. Having to get referrals for specialists has been difficult and trying at times (I don’t like it). Also, I have had diagnostic treatments and tests recommended by my doctor denied by my insurance carrier. I’m going to SHINE in 2025 to continue to do my homework on this important decision, so I am ready before turning 65. It’s important to not just look at the current condition of one’s health, but look 20-30 years into the future.

[Buckeyephan]

MEDICARE IS NOT FREE! Because I am on a pension and not Social Security, the premium is not taken out of my monthly check. I get a bill for $524.10 from the government each quarter. Even though we had Medicare deductions taken out of our checks virtually our entire working career, we still have to pay. Since SS checks are direct deposit, people are unaware that they are making a monthly payment.

[MX rider]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

What has me skittish about Advantage plans, are those who say “you’ll love it until you don’t”. Younger, healthier people absolutely love their advantage plans and all the “freebies” that come with it. I’m trying to make and educated decision, not just looking at the present, but 20 years from now when I’m in my 80s with the possibility of deteriorating health, illnesses, disease, etc. Would I want advantage or traditional Medicare at that point? Would I have to be concerned year-to-year that any of my medical providers could opt out of the insurance plan I’m currently on?

I’ve been under “managed care” most of my working life, and still am, since I’m not Medicare age yet. Having to get referrals for specialists has been difficult and trying at times (I don’t like it). Also, I have had diagnostic treatments and tests recommended by my doctor denied by my insurance carrier. I’m going to SHINE in 2025 to continue to do my homework on this important decision, so I am ready before turning 65. It’s important to not just look at the current condition of one’s health, but look 20-30 years into the future.

This subject came up a while back on Facebook. Many on there were on MA plans with very serious medical issues and had good things to say about how it worked for them. As I said, there's really no right or wrong.
Do your homework and make an educated choice on whats best for you. Choice is a good thing.
Too many people on here actually know very little about these plans, but love to tell you what to do! And they love to say "all MA plans are bad", which is simply false.

Btw, our UHC plan doesn't require approvals and it has a yearly max out of pocket of $2700. Be sure to check out The Villages Health UHC plan when you're researching.

Good luck with your decision

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

What has me skittish about Advantage plans, are those who say “you’ll love it until you don’t”. Younger, healthier people absolutely love their advantage plans and all the “freebies” that come with it. I’m trying to make and educated decision, not just looking at the present, but 20 years from now when I’m in my 80s with the possibility of deteriorating health, illnesses, disease, etc. Would I want advantage or traditional Medicare at that point? Would I have to be concerned year-to-year that any of my medical providers could opt out of the insurance plan I’m currently on?

I’ve been under “managed care” most of my working life, and still am, since I’m not Medicare age yet. Having to get referrals for specialists has been difficult and trying at times (I don’t like it). Also, I have had diagnostic treatments and tests recommended by my doctor denied by my insurance carrier. I’m going to SHINE in 2025 to continue to do my homework on this important decision, so I am ready before turning 65. It’s important to not just look at the current condition of one’s health, but look 20-30 years into the future.

Maximize your Medicare is a good, informative, and easy read available on Amazon for about $10. I would recommend it to anyone who just turned 64 and wants to make an informed decision as Medicare age approaches. I purchased a copy last year and it has circulated among several friends.

[biker1]

I’m not sure what your point is. Almost everyone “even though we had Medicare deductions taken out of our checks virtually our entire working career, we still have to pay” pays the Part B premium. You can, of course, opt out of Part B. I’m pretty sure the vast majority of people know they implicitly paying a Part B premium.

Originally Posted by Buckeyephan

MEDICARE IS NOT FREE! Because I am on a pension and not Social Security, the premium is not taken out of my monthly check. I get a bill for $524.10 from the government each quarter. Even though we had Medicare deductions taken out of our checks virtually our entire working career, we still have to pay. Since SS checks are direct deposit, people are unaware that they are making a monthly payment.

[biker1]

So here is the deal. If you have a MA plan and you have any work done then you may hit the plan deductible of around $2500. If you have a supplemental plan, your deductible is $240, or $0 with Plan F, and you pay premiums of around $2000. So, if you have any work done, it is basically a wash. If you don’t then you come out a bit ahead.

Originally Posted by MX rider

This subject came up a while back on Facebook. Many on there were on MA plans with very serious medical issues and had good things to say about how it worked for them. As I said, there's really no right or wrong.
Do your homework and make an educated choice on whats best for you. Choice is a good thing.
Too many people on here actually know very little about these plans, but love to tell you what to do! And they love to say "all MA plans are bad", which is simply false.

Btw, our UHC plan doesn't require approvals and it has a yearly max out of pocket of $2700. Be sure to check out The Villages Health UHC plan when you're researching.

Good luck with your decision