[kathyspear]

I am currently insured through my husband's employer. Because it is a small company (30 - 40 employees?) my coverage is pricey. Also, like most people with private insurance, my deductible has quadrupled in the last few years. I have been reluctant to switch to Medicare but am currently investigating my options.

It looks as if I can save $200-300 per month on my premiums if I sign up for regular Medicare, a Plan G supplement, and a drug plan. In addition, if I am understanding what I read about Medi-gap plans, I will save several thousand dollars in annual out-of-pocket costs if I dump hubby's coverage.

Assuming that is correct (and please correct me if it is not!), my primary concern is: Will I have trouble finding doctors who accept my new coverage? Right now I can go to any doctor I want. If he/she is out of network I pay a larger percentage but I can still see that doctor.

I gather I will need to find another primary care dr if I make the switch because I have been seeing someone with TVHS. I have no attachment to that person, though, and have no problem with going elsewhere. BUT I'm terrified that something BAD will happen, everyone will say, "Oh, you MUST see Dr. So-and-So, he is the expert on that problem!" But Dr. So-and-So won't take Medicare patients.

Advice? Comments?

Thanks in advance.

kathy

[villagetinker]

We have AARP United Health care Supplement plans, no problems finding doctors as long as you do NOT want a PCP in the Villages Health Care system, they only accept 3 or 4 ADVANTAGE plans. You MAY have trouble finding other doctors that accept ADVANTAGE plans. Call Florida SHINE (Senior Health Information Network), Google FLORIDA SHINE for contact info, they offer LOTS of unbiased info. They have meetings in The Villages, but not sure if these are currently being held, they also have an 800 number.

[kathyspear]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

We have AARP United Health care Supplement plans, no problems finding doctors as long as you do NOT want a PCP in the Villages Health Care system, they only accept 3 or 4 ADVANTAGE plans. You MAY have trouble finding other doctors that accept ADVANTAGE plans. Call Florida SHINE (Senior Health Information Network), Google FLORIDA SHINE for contact info, they offer LOTS of unbiased info. They have meetings in The Villages, but not sure if these are currently being held, they also have an 800 number.

Definitely not looking at Advantage plans. Want a larger pool of doctors to choose from (plus we travel quite a bit). Thanks. Will contact SHINE.

k.

[Carla B]

Your hesitation is that you're afraid a doctor won't accept Medicare + supplemental. Have had Original Medicare + AARP for many years and have never encountered a practice that does not accept it, especially in Florida. Usually, when leaving the appointment, they say "You're good to go." No paperwork, no co-pay, you check in and walk out. Different than an Advantage plan.

There may be exceptions: I have the impression that Mayo Clinic may not accept Medicare plus supplemental as full payment, but I may be wrong about that. Maybe someone will clarify.

[kathyspear]

Originally Posted by Carla B

Your hesitation is that you're afraid a doctor won't accept Medicare + supplemental. Have had Original Medicare + AARP for many years and have never encountered a practice that does not accept it, especially in Florida. Usually, when leaving the appointment, they say "You're good to go." No paperwork, no co-pay, you check in and walk out. Different than an Advantage plan.

There may be exceptions: I have the impression that Mayo Clinic may not accept Medicare plus supplemental as full payment, but I may be wrong about that. Maybe someone will clarify.

Thanks, Carla. That makes me feel a lot better!

k.

[retiredguy123]

Very few doctors, who treat people over 65, could stay in business if they didn't accept Medicare. I don't think you will have a problem.

[LizzieBorden]

I have had Medicare for my primary since I turned 65 and had AARP as my supplement. I think it was Plan F when I sighed up back then. I have had some minor surgeries..been to the Urgent care about 5 time for colds, etc. My first trip ever to an ER, do annual maintenance with my doctors, etc.for the past 5 years...and never received any bill for anything nor have I paid any co-pays. I walk in, and on the way out, they say “you are good to go” and off I go. I consider myself to have excellent health, only one medication for high cholesterol, but one never knows when that will change. I want to be prepared. I also travel all over the US with this, and never had an issue. What I didnt like about The VIllages, is that I couldnt go to the dermatologist that I had been going to for 6 years, I would have had to change. IT was the best decision for me. I dont have to have a referral, I can go to any doctor that takes Medicare and there are plenty. My friend has The villages health care, she has to choose and in-network doctor, and also has co-pays for every dr, and she also had to go to physical therapy and she has co-pays for that as well. AARP was the best choice for me and I have no regrets making that selection.

[crash]

Originally Posted by kathyspear

Definitely not looking at Advantage plans. Want a larger pool of doctors to choose from (plus we travel quite a bit). Thanks. Will contact SHINE.

k.

Look at United Health care advantage plan they have nation wide coverage.

[msilagy]

With medicare - a supplement like plan G - and a drug plan D - you can go anywhere to any Dr in any state. If say for example you want to go to Mayo clinic in Jacksonville, in Minnesota too, you can go. No restrictions (except for a plan the villages has but thats never interfered with where I have gone). This is the absolute best way to go. The only out of pocket will be the medicare deductible every year that plan G doesn't pay. $198 for 2020 for example. I travel between Illinois and Florida with no issues. Do not go with an advantage plan no matter what the premium is as you will have out of pocket expenses and restrictions on where and what Dr you see and possible referrals needed. If saving money or a person is convinced of these plans, many people take the advantage plans and don't care about restrictions. I want to myself be able to go wherever I chose. Good luck to you.

[Bridget Staunton]

Sir: will you share the AARP advantage your on. I have AARP Advantage also but I am really worried if I go to hospital that may not be in network I will get stuck with a big bill. I also heard Moffett & UF Gainsville do not accept Advantage Plans?. Your wonderful, thanks for the advice

[Dontee]

Kathy,
I turned 65 in July and started Medicare. The government charges 144.00 a month. I took BC/BS plan G so I could see any doctor I wanted with a cost of 177.99 a month. I also had to find a company selling prescription plans and I selected SilverScript for 25.20 a month. Every doctor takes Medicare and plan G and I’m saving 200.00 a month from my private health care which had a 5000.00 deductible.

[Larchap49]

I have traditiinal Medicare and a plan F supplement with Humana and plan D prescription with Wellcare. I've had no problem finding Doctors and have had no out of pocket expenses even being treated for Cancer.

[JoannMH]

I worked for an Advantage plan for many years until I retired last year. I decided while working, that I would never have an advantage plan when I was eligible for medicare. Most of my colleagues agreed with me. The members that I worked with were frequently complaining that they were being nickel and dimed to death. They were usually confused as to what was covered and what was not; what their copay for each visit or procedure would be; and what doctors they could go to. I now have an AARP medicare supplement plan and although the monthly premiums are higher than they may be for and advantage plan.....I am very happy with my choice. Not everyone qualifies for the AARP plan however. You do have an initial enrollment period where you can automatically qualify, but after that if you have some health issues, you may not be accepted. So I felt that it was better to join during my initial enrollment period rather than wait...in case I developed some non -qualifying health issue. Work with an insurance agent to determine your eligibility.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I have Medicare and Freedom Health as a supplemental. Freedom has a zero dollar premium. I love my doctors. Primary care visit have no co pay and specialist at $20.

All of the medications that I take have no co pay.

I get $75 a month in over the counter products.

There is a maximum $3,000 per year out of pocket expense.

I am very happy with it.

[Tom52]

DW and I came to TV with Medicare and BCBS Medigap plans from an out of state carrier. Hers is a G plan and mine is an F plan. We both had some difficulty finding PCPs because most doctors in TV are tied into certain health insurance plans. This was very surprising to find out as we always thought Medigap plans were considered better.

Once local PCPs were found all has worked OK for us. I had several emergency room visits to TV hospital and one five day stay in the hospital and my cost has been zero out of pocket. It appears most if not all specialists and hospitals accept Medigap insurance. I believe but am not sure that the Medigap coverage is much more flexible than advantage plans if coverage is needed outside the local area. With Medigap you are not limited to a certain network of doctors.