[california dreamer]

Hi. We hope to move to The Villages some day, the biggest concern is healthcare. My husband is going to be 55, and is on SSA disability, currently on my HMO thru my job. Can you tell me about the average costs he could expect if signing up with MEdiCare (I plan to continue working and have HMO again). We are rather ignorant regarding Medicare costs and plans and I understand that getting an insurance broker might be helpful.
We were just wondering what to expect, average costs. He has certain prescriptions for back pain, HBP, cholestral. Thanks for any info at all!!

[tumbleweed]

Go to Medicare.gov on the Internet. This site has a wealth of info. Medicare A provides for hospital expenses; Part B provides for doctors charges and costs $96.40 per month, which is automatically deducted from monthly SS benefits; Part D provides for prescription drugs and usually must be purchased from an insurance carrier. Part D requires one to have both Part A and Part B. Part B has an enrollment date and process which should not be overlooked. Failure to enroll during the open enrollment period can result in a higher cost. Persons qualifying for SS disability benefits are generally eligible for Medicare before age 65.

Medicare also permits private insurers, HMOs, PPOs, etc., to offer a Plan C, called Medicare Advantage plans. Such plans integrate Parts A, B and Part D of Medicare.Several such plans are available in The Villages area. Some are managed care plans (HMO, PPO), and others may be fee for service plans which permit the insured to go to their provider of choice. Finally, look into a Medicare Supplement plan, aka "Medigap", that is designed to cover various levels of co-pays and deductibles under Medicare A and B. A wide variety of such plans are available from private insurers. These plans are not available if a Part C plan is selected. In MHO, HMO plans are not a preferred choice in this area unless a person is able to find a perfect fit with HMO providers and has limited plans for time/travel outside The Villages area. Also, in MHO, the less one pays for premiums for a Plan C or a Med Sup plan, the more likely out of pocket expenses will be greater if health care services are required. There is no free lunch. BTW, many of these plans can be applied for directly via Internet and do not require an agent/broker if you are comfortable making a decision. In FL there is the SHINE group which provides info and guidance for seniors. There is a chapter in The Villages.

AARP offers a stable of plans and is worth checking out. The Medicare.gov site has info available in this area u county/zip code, with benefit descriptions and costs. Good understanding of one's personal health status and anticipated health services and drug needs are very important in considering choices.

"Been there, done that--"

[villager99]

best to contact the shine volunteer organization or a florida insurance broker as not all carriers have medicare supplements that are available to folks under age 65 in the state of florida.
mine currently runs close to &300 a month for plan c but was one of only a handful that would pick up someone under 65 on ssdi.

[california dreamer]

thanks, Tumbleweed, for the quick and thorough reply!

To Villager99: Is that about the average cost monthly, $300??

And I see that Preferred Care is advertised heavily in The Villages, does anyone know if they have plans for under 65 Medicare eligible? There must be other people out there in same situation.....
My next course of action will be to contact Preferred Care directly or another Plan, as it looks like the choices are very limited.

[Sparky-30]

My Medicare part B runs about $100 a month.

[diskman]

Originally Posted by california dreamer

Hi. We hope to move to The Villages some day, the biggest concern is healthcare. My husband is going to be 55, and is on SSA disability, currently on my HMO thru my job. Can you tell me about the average costs he could expect if signing up with MEdiCare (I plan to continue working and have HMO again). We are rather ignorant regarding Medicare costs and plans and I understand that getting an insurance broker might be helpful.
We were just wondering what to expect, average costs. He has certain prescriptions for back pain, HBP, cholestral. Thanks for any info at all!!

Once he has been on SSA disability for 2 years he is entitled ti receive medicare which right now is $110.50 per month then he could also have a medicare advantage plan which could be 0 depending on what coverage he wanted. My wife has this thru AARP secure horizons United health Care

[nitakk]

As a former insurance broker in California, I was surprised at how Florida limits the Medicare plans offered to those under 65 on disability. I am 58 and have been on SS disability for 3 years. I went on Preferred Care Partners, a Medicare Advantage plan, as my doctors here accept their plan and it was an easy transition. Besides the Part B contribution, I pay nothing and my office visits for primary care and specialists is zero. When I contacted AARP (who has a great reputation for Medicare supplement plans), I was told I had to enroll when I was originally eligible and could not go on their plans now until I reach 65. Advantage plans replace Medicare and are significantly easier on the pocketbook but like HMOs, you are restricted in the physicians you can choose. Supplement plans offer you a greater choice in physicians and hospitals, but you must pay for that choice.
As a fellow Californian, you are going to love it here (except there is no In n Out burgers and the Mexican food leaves a lot to be desired!).

[california dreamer]

Thanks for helpful info everyone!

To Nitak: RE: The Preferred Care Plan, do you find the plan is ok as far as prescriptions go?? My husband has several prescriptions(most generic), and it can get costly with our current HMO Kaiser (I think ANYTHING would be better than Kaiser!!) And also do you only pay the MediCAre part B portion of $110?
Oh, my husband is originally from ST Louis, so looking forward to STeak n Shake!

[nitakk]

Dreamer:

Most generics are nothing, some are $10 and a few brand names are $50 for 30 day supply. So far, all of mine are no co-pays. And yes, the only thing I pay is for Part B like all Medicare recipients do and it is deducted directly from your SS check. I just had lab work done on the plan and I paid nothing. If you want to contact them and get more info their number is 866-231-7201.
Where are you in CA - we lived in Riverside. I'll think of you as I eat my double steakburger (with chocolate shake, of course) at Steak n Shake!! Moving to The Villages was the best move we ever made.

[diskman]

Originally Posted by california dreamer

Thanks for helpful info everyone!

To Nitak: RE: The Preferred Care Plan, do you find the plan is ok as far as prescriptions go?? My husband has several prescriptions(most generic), and it can get costly with our current HMO Kaiser (I think ANYTHING would be better than Kaiser!!) And also do you only pay the MediCAre part B portion of $110?
Oh, my husband is originally from ST Louis, so looking forward to STeak n Shake!

Had Kaiser, started medicare in Nov and just switched to aarp secure horizons plan 2 through united healthcare all I pay is my medicare quarterly as i am not on ss yet. no copays for office visits generics are $4 for 90 days and thats a drug of which i take 4 a day so (360)pills

[california dreamer]

hi again. I was wondering if you are happy or at least satisfied with doctors thru Preferred Care, and are there plenty in TV to choose from???

For myself, i was diagnosed with pre-existing conditions which are debatable as I have never had any treatment for them and the conditions were refuted by other doctor's findings, but now I would be in high risk category if I were to just purchase my own insurance. I hear it would be up to $500 max month. Too bad, as I could retire early with a pension. My husband (bless his heart) wants me to retire early and not have to work at all at age 50 this year, I work in a stressful job as a social worker.
Is it worth it at all to inquire in the state of Florida what I could get for healthcare insurance private pay, with no lapse of coverage from my previous HMO???? And who should I apply with? Blue Cross? Is there a cheapie health insurance in Florida. I am healthy, no medical conditions, just want basic care, high deductible.
We live in Central Valley, CA, near Modesto. Enveloped in fog every day this week. The only thing stopping us from our dreams to move to TV is healthcare!
Thanks!!