[westernrider75]

Boomer Benefits

[Sabella]

Against my better judgment I went to the Villages hospital for an emergency recently.NEVER AGAIN.

[bern916]

Originally Posted by Davonu

Does anybody know of a service of some sort that will compare a couple of Medicare health plans?

I will of course be looking at the plans I'm comparing through each company's websites. But that can be a bit daunting and difficult. The benefits and cost are displayed is much different ways on each site. I would gladly pay a reasonable fee to have a knowledgeable 3rd party compare the two.

Thanks for any input you may have.

I have a good friend who sells Medicare Advantage Plans. He would be happy to compare the two with you. PM me if you would like his info.

[RErmer]

SHINE is great, but in reading this thread no one seems to have mentioned the obvious - there’s a great free plan comparison tool on the Medicare website. When I was a SHINE volunteer I used this tool to give plan comparisons to people. Most paid agents use this same tool.

[spinner1001]

Originally Posted by asianthree

My experience was very different with shine. I had list of physicians and what insurance they accepted.

My person was brand new, and I left without any information on my questions, of cost, out of pocket, which plan would be best. Maybe they can’t give recommendations on different advantage or medigap plans.

So I am confused as to how shine helps navigates Medicare

We had a very good experience with our SHINE consultation for first time Medicare plan sign ups. I particularly liked that their consultants are not biased by financial incentive unlike many other sources of Medicare related information. Also, the scope of SHINE consultations has limits and one still needs to collect some information from other sources.

[aldeana]

The SHINE program, sponsored by the FL Dept of Elder Affairs, and is a non profit. They do not sell anything-- just help you find a plan that suits your needs and preferences. They've been around for many many years. They meet throughout the Villages: SHINE - Sumter

[Rzepecki]

Best way to go is SHINE. Free to Floridians and they don’t represent any insurance companies. Will give you the information you need to make the best decision for yourself.

[Egandi]

Originally Posted by Davonu

Does anybody know of a service of some sort that will compare a couple of Medicare health plans?

I will of course be looking at the plans I'm comparing through each company's websites. But that can be a bit daunting and difficult. The benefits and cost are displayed is much different ways on each site. I would gladly pay a reasonable fee to have a knowledgeable 3rd party compare the two.

Thanks for any input you may have.

Call the Villages Healthcare at the Brownwood location. They have reps there, on-site, who can explain everything to you about the United Healthcare and Florida Blue Medicare Advantage Plans. You can schedule an appointment to go in and talk with them.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Egandi

Call the Villages Healthcare at the Brownwood location. They have reps there, on-site, who can explain everything to you about the United Healthcare and Florida Blue Medicare Advantage Plans. You can schedule an appointment to go in and talk with them.

We also did that but they will only tell you about those two plans. Lots of others out there.

Good thing about it is we walked away with nice beach towel and umbrella.

[donfey]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

I agree with above comments on SHINE, the other item you need to consider very carefully is traditional Medicare (aka insurance) versus Medicare Advantage pans (managed care). Villages health accepts only a very limited number of ADVANTAGE plans, while traditional supplemental plans allow you to go to any doctor and any specialist. SHINE will help in this area.

We have UHC AARP Medicare Advantage PPO - NOT "The Villages." The Villages Health system DOES accept it but, since it's NOT an HMO where we can go ONLY to TVH, we can go wherever we want.

[rustyp]

Originally Posted by donfey

We have UHC AARP Medicare Advantage PPO - NOT "The Villages." The Villages Health system DOES accept it but, since it's NOT an HMO where we can go ONLY to TVH, we can go wherever we want.

I have the same policy as you and am a snowbird. Works very well for me on the entire east coast of the good old USA. You are wasting your time with Mr jack of all trades. He posts the same misinformation every time this subject is posted. Also you can always go back to basic Medicare part a and b. The rub maybe you can be refused a supplemental or have to pay a much higher premium for it (the supplemental) if you would have got it day 1 rather than upon return.

[MSGirl]

Originally Posted by Davonu

Thanks for the great replies. I will definitely be checking out Shine.

Just for clarification…I not really looking at all the available plans anymore. I have it whittled down to two, both Advantage plans. What I’m asking for is a service that would compare in detail just those two plans.

I was told SHINE gears you to traditional Medicare. The villages Medicare Advantage UHC has been excellent for me , even when I traveled out of state. I have been looking into the BC Medicare advantage plan. More hospitals are included

[jump4]

FL SHINE is probably the only source of unbiased information! Take some of their classes and then meet with them for 1:1 guidance. Always better to do this BEFORE you make a mistake.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by MSGirl

I was told SHINE gears you to traditional Medicare. The villages Medicare Advantage UHC has been excellent for me , even when I traveled out of state. I have been looking into the BC Medicare advantage plan. More hospitals are included

Shine will not steer you to traditional medicare but will explain all of your options.

Better to meet with a shine rep than take advise from someone who does not know the options.

[Vernon Hud]

True Wealth, a private person that will compare all insurance's for you. Mark