[jmac719]

Does anyone have information about the various Medicare programs here at the villages? I am reviewing the recent advertisements for AARP Medicare Complete (provided by Secure Horizons) and the Humana Gold Plus. Both provide insurance coverage with no monthly premiums, no copay, some Drug coverage, etc. Appreciate any feedback or personal experience with these medicare programs. Thanks, John

[Sidney Lanier]

Some time ago we accidentally discovered the difference between a 'Medicare Advantage Program' and a 'Medigap Plan.' We ended up going with the latter, in particular a Mutual of Omaha gap plan, and could not be happier with it. The monthly premium is relatively fair, and in this past year we did not have to pay a cent for anything at all! No copays, nothing that was not covered, and no paperwork; it's all handled by Medicare itself. The drawback is that it does NOT include prescription drug coverage, so one must subscribe to a Plan D prescription drug program in addition. (See my post on the 'joys' of choosing a Plan D provider....) If this particular gap program is not available to you, it may be worth your while to find out what gap programs you might be eligible to enroll in. Good luck!

[Avista]

We too have a Medigap program through AARP. It is plan C. It is everything you said it is. We're very pleased.

[Jethro]

john am also looking for an advantage plan.. am checking out preferred partners in the villages....looks pretty good, no monthly payment or you can received 96.00 back each month with small copay. will look into medigap program at aarp. how much does that cost. aarp secure horizongs does have co-pays.... professorhodak@gmail.com anna

[dillywho]

Aren't the Medicare Advantage Plans like (or maybe they are) HMO's where you can only go to specified doctors and if you need a specialist, you have to have a referral first? With regular Medicare you can choose your doctors, including specialists without referrals unless the specialist only takes referrals, and a MediGap Policy is what is know as a supplement and Part D drug coverage is usually not included. This is what I have and really like it. I have BCBS of Florida as the MediGap.

[mac9]

dillywho...it depends on which advantage program you have. Some indeed are HMO's and require network doctors and referrals. Some, like Aetna, are PPO's which does not require that you use an in-network doctor as long as the doctor is a medicare provider. My PPO pays 100% of the medicare payment. I also do not need referrals to any specialist as I am not required to have a designated primary doctor. So far, it has worked well for me for the past 3 years.