[RVRoadie]

Welcome to the Affordable Care Act. Got my letter today that my plan won't be offered in 2014.

This happened last year after United Healthcare purchased PCP. Don't know if this is the end, or will be forced onto a more expensive plan.

I thought Medicare Advantage was supposed to get a waiver in Florida as part of the ACA, even though the ACA was supposed to kill Medicare Advantage.

Apparently, many of the ladies a Curves got letters today from United Healthcare that Silver Sneakers would no longer be offered as part of their plans.

[RVRoadie]

Just heard from the sales lady at PCP that helped us purchase our original policy. She has left PCP and opened her own office. Doesn't look too promising for PCP customers.

[ilovetv]

"Monopoly" is what it looks like. But those seem to be desirable to many, nowadays.

[Avista]

United Healthcare The Villages Medicare Complete. Google this. it is the replacement for Preferred care Partners.

[RVRoadie]

Spoke with somebody that visited UHC office for info on replacement to PCP. It looks like about a $130 per month per person increase in cost, with loss of most vision benefits, loss of OTC allowance, loss of Silver & Fit, and some increase in copays including generic drugs.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by RVRoadie

Welcome to the Affordable Care Act. Got my letter today that my plan won't be offered in 2014.

This happened last year after United Healthcare purchased PCP. Don't know if this is the end, or will be forced onto a more expensive plan.

I thought Medicare Advantage was supposed to get a waiver in Florida as part of the ACA, even though the ACA was supposed to kill Medicare Advantage.

Apparently, many of the ladies a Curves got letters today from United Healthcare that Silver Sneakers would no longer be offered as part of their plans.

Corporate buy out and they are reducing coverage. What does that have to do with Affordable Care Act?

[gatherer47]

I don't believe it has anything to do with Affordable Care Act.I did go to PCP's office today and talked to rep of United.Some good aspects and some bad.They will no longer give back anything that PCP did with regard to reimbursement of the $105 you pay to SS.PCP gave you $99 back.The generic drugs can still be had for $0 if you do ninety day mail order.The network for United covers way more than PCP and you'd get way more choice of physicians,dentists,and eye doctors.Plus the new Village Health Care system takes it.In fact United is all they take.So I have to decide to keep my doctor who takes United and give up the reimbursement or find a plan that still gives a reimbursement[Freedom gives you $72 p/month] and change doctors.My doctor doesn't take PUP,Freedom, or Optimum which I think still give you a partial reimbursement.A question to ponder.BogieShooter what should I do?

[Indydealmaker]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Corporate buy out and they are reducing coverage. What does that have to do with Affordable Care Act?

Probably more than you can at first see. In Indianapolis, Anthem is no longer insuring patients at the three largest hospitals in the metro area which also includes the Indiana University Riley Children's Hospital. They call it "narrowing" of their coverage and they did attribute it to the ACA.

[Shirleevee]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Corporate buy out and they are reducing coverage. What does that have to do with Affordable Care Act?

Nothing!

[wendyquat]

I believe you will find it DOES have everything to do with the ACA! Seems it's not so "affordable" after all! Somebody's got to pay for covering those with pre-existing conditions and those who will pay nothing! There's no free ride, especially in the medical field! I think we will find greatly reduced benefits also!

Btw, I have many years experience in the health insurance field!

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by gatherer47

I don't believe it has anything to do with Affordable Care Act.I did go to PCP's office today and talked to rep of United.Some good aspects and some bad.They will no longer give back anything that PCP did with regard to reimbursement of the $105 you pay to SS.PCP gave you $99 back.The generic drugs can still be had for $0 if you do ninety day mail order.The network for United covers way more than PCP and you'd get way more choice of physicians,dentists,and eye doctors.Plus the new Village Health Care system takes it.In fact United is all they take.So I have to decide to keep my doctor who takes United and give up the reimbursement or find a plan that still gives a reimbursement[Freedom gives you $72 p/month] and change doctors.My doctor doesn't take PUP,Freedom, or Optimum which I think still give you a partial reimbursement.A question to ponder.BogieShooter what should I do?

So. bottom line is that we're going to have to pay $105 per month. That's a $105 increase in our premiums.

[Villages PL]

Does anyone remember when Medicare was cut by 500 billion? It sounds like a lot but I believe it's 500 billion over 10 years, which may help to put it in perspective. Because of that cut, I was warned last year, by my agent (the man who signs me up for HMOs), that the monthly premium reimbursement would likely disappear in the future, along with other benefits like SilverSneakers. Well, he predicted it, and it has come true.

But there are other forces at work contributing to this. He told me last night that Preferred Care Partners had a loss (in our area) of $30,000,000.

If you are looking for a replacement HMO with some premium reimbursement, Optimum is the next best, assuming you have no major health issues. If you have a major health issue like heart disease, diabetes, or lung disease, Freedom Health will reimburse about $72. Otherwise, if you don't qualify for that, Optimum will reimburse about $39.00.

With Optimum, primary care will still be free of any charge to the patient. But seeing a specialist will go up to $30. from $25..

I'm not sure if it will offer SilverSneakers or not, but I'm not counting on it.

[NotGolfer]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

Does anyone remember when Medicare was cut by 500 billion? It sounds like a lot but I believe it's 500 billion over 10 years, which may help to put it in perspective. Because of that cut, I was warned last year, by my agent (the man who signs me up for HMOs), that the monthly premium reimbursement would likely disappear in the future, along with other benefits like SilverSneakers. Well, he predicted it, and it has come true.

But there are other forces at work contributing to this. He told me last night that Preferred Care Partners had a loss (in our area) of $30,000,000.

If you are looking for a replacement HMO with some premium reimbursement, Optimum is the next best, assuming you have no major health issues. If you have a major health issue like heart disease, diabetes, or lung disease, Freedom Health will reimburse about $72. Otherwise, if you don't qualify for that, Optimum will reimburse about $39.00.

With Optimum, primary care will still be free of any charge to the patient. But seeing a specialist will go up to $30. from $25..

I'm not sure if it will offer SilverSneakers or not, but I'm not counting on it.

thank you for that information!!! We have app'ts with both the UHC and Villages Ins. offices so will check these options with them. Being on PCP and going to the USF clinics we do have some concerns though not in a panic mode. It is what it is!! We knew "something" would be happening for 2014.

[gerryann]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

Does anyone remember when Medicare was cut by 500 billion? It sounds like a lot but I believe it's 500 billion over 10 years, which may help to put it in perspective. Because of that cut, I was warned last year, by my agent (the man who signs me up for HMOs), that the monthly premium reimbursement would likely disappear in the future, along with other benefits like SilverSneakers. Well, he predicted it, and it has come true.

But there are other forces at work contributing to this. He told me last night that Preferred Care Partners had a loss (in our area) of $30,000,000.

If you are looking for a replacement HMO with some premium reimbursement, Optimum is the next best, assuming you have no major health issues. If you have a major health issue like heart disease, diabetes, or lung disease, Freedom Health will reimburse about $72. Otherwise, if you don't qualify for that, Optimum will reimburse about $39.00.

With Optimum, primary care will still be free of any charge to the patient. But seeing a specialist will go up to $30. from $25..

I'm not sure if it will offer SilverSneakers or not, but I'm not counting on it.

Very informative post. Thanks much.

[gomoho]

You forgot to mention PUP - they are still offering a part B rebate and silver sneakers, but would not be accepted at The Villages Health.