[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.

[bagboy]

SHINE - Home

You can get help here.

[Nucky]

We have had success with UNITED HEALTHCARE The Villages Plan. It is a very fair plan. Perfect, no. My stay with an operation in The Villages Hospital cost up $225 a day for the room and a couple of bucks more for incidentals. I/We are very pleased with our coverage. Just like any plan you have to follow the rules. There is always someone who can help you at UHC headquarters! My wife has Florida Blue so I have a point of reference and UHC is infinitely more easy to deal with so far.

Either plan that you choose, from my experience be aware that the Villages Hospital treatment and care for me was exceptional. Also be aware that the care in the VILLAGES EMERGENCY ROOM is probably better at any local Veterinary Hospital. To be kind I would point out as a friendly neighborly reminder that they suck no matter which coverage you have. The only reason I didn’t lawyer up was because of my loyalty to my primary doctor and the possibility that he/she might be pulled into the case. I wouldn’t hurt him/ her for any amount of $$$ money $$$.

[Stu from NYC]

One would have hoped the Village Hospital ER would have improved after UF acquired them but apparently not.

[PugMom]

Originally Posted by Nucky

We have had success with UNITED HEALTHCARE The Villages Plan. It is a very fair plan. Perfect, no. My stay with an operation in The Villages Hospital cost up $225 a day for the room and a couple of bucks more for incidentals. I/We are very pleased with our coverage. Just like any plan you have to follow the rules. There is always someone who can help you at UHC headquarters! My wife has Florida Blue so I have a point of reference and UHC is infinitely more easy to deal with so far.

Either plan that you choose, from my experience be aware that the Villages Hospital treatment and care for me was exceptional. Also be aware that the care in the VILLAGES EMERGENCY ROOM is probably better at any local Veterinary Hospital. To be kind I would point out as a friendly neighborly reminder that they suck no matter which coverage you have. The only reason I didn’t lawyer up was because of my loyalty to my primary doctor and the possibility that he/she might be pulled into the case. I wouldn’t hurt him/ her for any amount of $$$ money $$$.

we have them too. i'm pleased, my spinal sx was very well covered: a 150.00co-pay, & $500 on completion. my dr was excellent & covered by the plan.

[dougjb]

SHINE is an amazing resource! It's dedicated staff/volunteers are so knowledgeable. If you have to wait to see a counselor, it is well worth the wait. Each of these people I have spoken with over the course of the last several years have been a wealth of information and helped me make a good decision.

[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.

[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.

[Stu from NYC]

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 would start with Shine

[villagetinker]

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.

Be sure you understand what you get and WHAT YOU DO NOT GET, and also the limitations on going back to original Medicare, we had Advantage plans for a while, found them the be way too restrictive, went back to medicare and never looked back.

[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

[Stu from NYC]

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

Go back again. The rep we spoke to was very informative on what our options were.

[Nucky]

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.

The original way that I made my decision was to listen to villagetinker many moons ago. He has single handedly gotten my out of many jams over the years just by following his post. I'm very grateful to you villagetinker for so much guidance over the years. Always trying to pay it forward. Maybe not always.Most of the time.

[Notsocrates]

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.

Not so.
Medicare Advantage can be managed (HMO) or not (PPO) where you can go anywhere including The Villages Health.

[bowlingal]

go to see a SHINE ( serving health insurance needs of the elderly) representative. They are Medicare specialists, not insurance people. They meet at various rec centers around the Villages...different days and times. Check them out, the service is free. just walk in, no appointment necessary