Originally Posted by Justputt (Post 2289175)

That's not the case. We have Advantage plans say no to what Medicare would say yes to all to often.

Originally Posted by Jayhawk (Post 2289192)

Someone is not being honest with you.

Medicare Advantage Plans must cover all of the services that Original Medicare covers
except hospice care

Originally Posted by Justputt (Post 2289179)

A lot of guesswork in these posts. The best thing is to sit down with someone that does this for a living. Rusty Nelson did a YouTube chat with someone that specializes in this near TV. There are a lot of if/and/but to what is best. IMO, if you are at TV fulltime, an Advantage Plan (limiting your referring physicians to local) may be a better bet, since they also cover eye, dental, gym, hearing aids. However, if you are a snowbird, your local Advantage Plan isn't going to cover you in-network in PA, MI, CO, etc. Also, Medicare doesn't require you to get a referral to a specialist, whereas Advantage plans do. Most patients we treat with Advantage Plans require preauthorization, when Medicare doesn't, and sometimes what the Advantage Plan authorizes isn't in the best interest of the patient, e.g. accelerated treatments so the plan doesn't have to pay for as many. You really should consult a specialist in these insurance products because they are very dependent on what you need.

Originally Posted by upstate (Post 2290679)

We have traditional Medicare with a supplemental plan. No referrals are needed and we can choose our doctors and hospitals. Is it cheap, no, but for us it’s worth it. I should note, we are seasonal residents.

Originally Posted by GoRedSox! (Post 2288732)

For those who spend time in two different states, doesn't United Healthcare Medicare Advantage have a national provider network and you are covered under the in-network benefits in both states?

Originally Posted by Justputt (Post 2289179)

A lot of guesswork in these posts. The best thing is to sit down with someone that does this for a living. Rusty Nelson did a YouTube chat with someone that specializes in this near TV. There are a lot of if/and/but to what is best. IMO, if you are at TV fulltime, an Advantage Plan (limiting your referring physicians to local) may be a better bet, since they also cover eye, dental, gym, hearing aids. However, if you are a snowbird, your local Advantage Plan isn't going to cover you in-network in PA, MI, CO, etc. Also, Medicare doesn't require you to get a referral to a specialist, whereas Advantage plans do. Most patients we treat with Advantage Plans require preauthorization, when Medicare doesn't, and sometimes what the Advantage Plan authorizes isn't in the best interest of the patient, e.g. accelerated treatments so the plan doesn't have to pay for as many. You really should consult a specialist in these insurance products because they are very dependent on what you need.

Originally Posted by kingofbeer (Post 2290705)

I am going with a Medicare advantage plan because I want to use the Villages Health primary doctors. They do not accept traditional Medicare or supplement. Only select Medicare Advantage plans.