Best Medical Health Insurance @ 65

Closed Thread
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 07-18-2021, 06:27 PM
Penglobal Penglobal is offline
Member
Join Date: Jun 2021
Posts: 75
Thanks: 0
Thanked 146 Times in 36 Posts
Default Best Medical Health Insurance @ 65

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.
  #2  
Old 07-18-2021, 06:51 PM
TSO/ISPF TSO/ISPF is offline
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Mostly Florida
Posts: 213
Thanks: 43
Thanked 228 Times in 84 Posts
Default Medicare is not free. Check with Shine for help choosing your options.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Penglobal View Post
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

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.
__________________
Terry

Always be humble and kind.
  #3  
Old 07-19-2021, 07:57 AM
kkingston57 kkingston57 is offline
Platinum member
Join Date: Mar 2020
Posts: 1,571
Thanks: 59
Thanked 696 Times in 387 Posts
Default

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.
  #4  
Old 07-19-2021, 09:57 AM
villagetinker's Avatar
villagetinker villagetinker is offline
Sage
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Village of Pinellas
Posts: 9,585
Thanks: 2
Thanked 5,996 Times in 2,197 Posts
Default

Yes, absolutely talk to SHINE they saved us from making a very big mistake.
__________________
Pennsylvania, for 60+ years, most recently, Allentown, now TV.
  #5  
Old 07-19-2021, 10:11 AM
santiagobob santiagobob is offline
Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 59
Thanks: 0
Thanked 35 Times in 13 Posts
Default

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.
  #6  
Old 07-19-2021, 12:28 PM
tuccillo tuccillo is offline
Soaring Eagle member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,101
Thanks: 4
Thanked 411 Times in 218 Posts
Default

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.

Quote:
Originally Posted by santiagobob View Post
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.
  #7  
Old 07-19-2021, 03:43 PM
eweissenbach's Avatar
eweissenbach eweissenbach is offline
Sage
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Smithville (Kansas City) Mo./ LaBelle North
Posts: 4,566
Thanks: 112
Thanked 726 Times in 225 Posts
Send a message via AIM to eweissenbach
Default

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.)
__________________
Oldcoach Ed
"You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails" "Be yourself - everyone else is taken"
  #8  
Old 07-19-2021, 04:56 PM
champion6's Avatar
champion6 champion6 is offline
Sage
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Tamarind Grove
Posts: 5,453
Thanks: 13
Thanked 792 Times in 327 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by santiagobob View Post
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.
Quote:
Originally Posted by eweissenbach View Post
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.
  #9  
Old 07-19-2021, 05:46 PM
TSO/ISPF TSO/ISPF is offline
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Mostly Florida
Posts: 213
Thanks: 43
Thanked 228 Times in 84 Posts
Default Prescriptions are the real issue with Medicare for me.

Quote:
Originally Posted by champion6 View Post
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!
__________________
Terry

Always be humble and kind.
  #10  
Old 07-20-2021, 05:03 AM
jack.hunter00@yahoo.com jack.hunter00@yahoo.com is offline
Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 89
Thanks: 8
Thanked 70 Times in 35 Posts
Default

Shop all of them and pick what is right for you.
  #11  
Old 07-20-2021, 05:05 AM
Eg_cruz Eg_cruz is offline
Veteran member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 878
Thanks: 1,943
Thanked 1,238 Times in 446 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Penglobal View Post
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
  #12  
Old 07-20-2021, 05:10 AM
Eg_cruz Eg_cruz is offline
Veteran member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 878
Thanks: 1,943
Thanked 1,238 Times in 446 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by tuccillo View Post
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
  #13  
Old 07-20-2021, 05:15 AM
Eg_cruz Eg_cruz is offline
Veteran member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 878
Thanks: 1,943
Thanked 1,238 Times in 446 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by heims01 View Post
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.
  #14  
Old 07-20-2021, 05:55 AM
bowlingal bowlingal is offline
Veteran member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 845
Thanks: 2
Thanked 713 Times in 378 Posts
Default

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
  #15  
Old 07-20-2021, 06:10 AM
tuccillo tuccillo is offline
Soaring Eagle member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,101
Thanks: 4
Thanked 411 Times in 218 Posts
Default

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.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Eg_cruz View Post
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

Last edited by tuccillo; 07-20-2021 at 06:42 AM.
Closed Thread

Tags
insurance, medical, cost, plan, seeking

Thread Tools

You are viewing a new design of the TOTV site. Click here to revert to the old version.

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:46 PM.