[LouGraf]

Hello, I would like to know if anyone has experience with Humana medicare advantage PPO in the villages? Will it be difficult to find Doctors that will bill Humana? Any help on this subject would be appreciated.

[vintageogauge]

Tri-care, Florida Blue, and United are the only 3 they show on their site as being accepted. I have Blue Cross supplemental coverage so I cannot use their primaries however I can use any of their specialists.

[retiredguy123]

Just to clarify, Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans and Medicare Advantage plans are two entirely different products. A Medicare Supplement plan will cover the Medicare Part A and Part B co-pays, but you still have "regular" Part A and B Medicare. A Medicare Advantage plan will replace Medicare Part A, Part B, and Part D with one separate plan (Part C). Many people seem to confuse these terms.

[LuvtheVillages]

Originally Posted by vintageogauge

Tri-care, Florida Blue, and United are the only 3 they show on their site as being accepted. I have Blue Cross supplemental coverage so I cannot use their primaries however I can use any of their specialists.

You seem to be talking about the Villages Health, a network of Medicare Advantage clinics here in The Villages. That is not what he is asking about. He is asking about a different Medicare Advantage plan through Humana.

Original Poster, you should check with your rep from Humana, or on their website, to see if their network extends into Florida and the availability of doctors here.

[jojo]

My mother had a Humana plan. It worked well when she needed a doctor. However, it was a nightmare when she needed rehab after a hospital stay. The two worst institutions were the only ones they would approve in Sumter County. We have a supplement plan so that we can choose any doctor or facility.

[villagetinker]

OP, you should also contact SHINE, www.floridiashine.org they offer unbiased information on all of then options for health care and they have local meetings, but I have no idea if these are now being held. The phone number is: 1-800-963-5337.

[vintageogauge]

Originally Posted by jojo

My mother had a Humana plan. It worked well when she needed a doctor. However, it was a nightmare when she needed rehab after a hospital stay. The two worst institutions were the only ones they would approve in Sumter County. We have a supplement plan so that we can choose any doctor or facility.

You can choose any doctor except The Villages Health System Primary Care Doctors. I too have the supplement and found it a little hard finding a primary other than Premier which I will not go back to for any reason. This is a perfect location for a few good younger primary doctors to open a business.

[Stu from NYC]

We had HumanaAdvantage plan before we moved here earlier this year. Wanted to stay with them if possible.

Got a recommendation for DR but she would only accept Humana Gold.

Discussed this with the local office and we switched to it and happy with it.

However it is an HMO so we must go thru our primary care DR if we want to see a specialist and typically it will be in her group.

We have been referred to several specialists since we are arrived here and have been happy with all of them.

However in a strange move Humana has closed their local office. Has not been a problem as we deal with their customer service dept, who has treated us well but we find closing of the office to be curious.

[Anniecacioppo]

I have Humana Medicare Advantage PPO and have had very good luck finding doctors in and near The Villages.

[jedalton]

have Humana Gold for 4 years and no problems at all

[Quixote]

I’ve heard too many unfortunate stories of persons who switched from regular Medicare Parts A, B, and D to an Advantage plan we’re shocked to discover when there was a serious issue just how limited—and limiting—Advantage plans are. As a result, at least until original Medicare is done away with, that is what I am sticking with, along with a Medicare Supplement.

[Keninches]

So right. Medicare Regular or original is by far the BEST. Beware of Medicare Advantage. You will be limited. You get what you pay for.

[Codysmom]

We have Humana PPO and are very happy. Have had no issues finding primary care doctors and specialists. Was a United Healthcare member for many, many years and changed due to good relationship with Shands. This was before UF came into The Villages. Husband just had knee replacement and was handled very well. No plans to change.

[Keninches]

You get what you pay for.
Beware

[Pedrocarrasco01@yahoo.com]

Originally Posted by LouGraf

Hello, I would like to know if anyone has experience with Humana medicare advantage PPO in the villages? Will it be difficult to find Doctors that will bill Humana? Any help on this subject would be appreciated.

We do have it and have had it now for 4 years, happy enough that won’t look at any other plans. All Doctors that we have gone so far take Humana, love the no premium other than the Medicare payment, reasonable copays, had United Health Care PPO before, way too expensive, when I switched to Humana, I saved $400 per month, never again UHC. Love our over the counter drugs that we get free every month. Recommend it highly, had two surgeries at U of F in Gainesville (wanted the best Dr.) and wife had one at Advent in Orlando (again the best Dr, recommended by our MD) no issues, all hospitals here accept it as payment in full, but we chose to go to get it done right the first time, which it was done. Love it!!!!