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In my area we can also set up one on one appointments with a Shine person. I think this is what you need to do.

Reading through the comments here, I have not seen any comments about doctor choice. We choose Medicare Supplement over Advantage because we are not locked into just a pool of doctors. We can go to any doctor, anywhere in the country. Love that freedom.

I always hear that as an argument for Medicare. Can everyone on Medicare (about 30 million people) really go to the top heart doctor in the country? I would think it would be very hard to get an appointment.

You missed the point. Advantage has a much smaller pool of "heart doctors" to choose from.

I agree that it is smaller. However, UHC has over 1.3 million physicians and care professionals nationwide. I am not limited to Sumter County or even Florida.

I believe Medicare Advantage is the pathway for private insurers to take over and Medicare itself to disappear. All the goodies were thrown in there for seniors to be enticed into the Advantage Plan and then slowly be taken away.

A friend went to the ER after suffering chest pain and it was determined he needed stents and the surgery was scheduled. Imagine his surprise when he received notice that upon further examination of his test results, they think medication should work. Yikes! Yes, he has Medicare Advantage and it's not impressive to us. You have to make your own decision.

CNN has an article from October 14th, 2024 regarding the changes coming to Medicare Advantage as open enrollment starts. And it begins...

There's no right or wrong. We were on the same UHC MA plan for 24 in Indiana. But since we moved here we switched to The Villages UHC MA plan yesterday. Before you make a decision, make an appointment with a insurance agent that is with UHC and check out their Medical facilities.

Exactly. We're on UHC Advantage and have had no trouble finding good doctor and specialists that take it.

MA plans differ greatly. We know, we did lots of research before we chose UHC. We just renewed with The Villages UHC Advantage plan.
They have their own doctors and facilities and only take advantage plans, no medicare. But we're also free to go to any provider in the nationwide UHC network if we choose. Plenty of good doctors, specialists and hospitals take UHC.

Plus we have $2500 in dental and $300 in vision benifits, which we use. We also like the wellness benefits. Since we're very fit and take care of ourselves, the free gym membership is something we really like. Genesis gym at Brownwood is an excellent, top notch gym. My wife takes 2 classes a day there.

And yes our plan did change, for 2025 we both get back $16 a month on our SS check. Other than that very minor changes.
Anyone looking at MA plans should do their research. Check ratings, talk to SHINE and try to talk to people on the plan if possible.

Btw, SHINE said it was a very good option

If you care about your health and ability to get the services and care you might need and can afford the extra cost then definitely YES!

The really big elephant in the room is that you are making decisions now, based upon what the choices are now, and the conditions now, but they will change. Just because someplace like Moffit takes my UHC Advantage plan NOW, doesn't mean they'll take it in 3 years,. Likewise, however, with the Supplemental plans. That is also a shifting landscape.

I think you may be right about it being easy to switch when you are in fairly good health. However, the Medicare Supplement Plans differ in cost depending on which one you choose.
I am currently in Plan G with Florida Blue & it is $221, but my Plan D drug premium is zero dollars a month, so about $58 less than you were told. I chose those plans. There are MediGap Plan G High Deductibles with premiums ranging from $52 - $97 (this is Sumter County). You can look through your options at the Medicare.Gov website. You do not have to belong to look through the options. Choose to 'continue without logging in'. Find a Medicare plan

(One of the reasons I liked the Florida Blue plan was it is one of the ones that say they will not raise premiums as we age. I also agree with the advice of one of the earlier respondents: marry the supplement, date the drug plan. Pick a good plan for life, but review drug plans each year to meet your potentially changing needs).

Can you use the doctors at the Villages Health??

No, they can’t see a PCP. Specialists only.

Currently if you have Medicare + Medigap you can see specialist doctors at Villages Health.