[2BNTV]

Lo and behold I was reading Sunday's Daily Sun and noticed Dr Lowenkron saying MVP is participating with Medical Advantage this year, (2018), and the benefit is worth $59 a month.

Obviously, I didn't notice the change from silversneakers program to Optum Fitness Advantage program when I perused the 2018 Annual Notice of Changes Booklet.

I called UHC and they verified that MVP membership fees will be covered in 2018. That's worth at least $50 per month for me, (WOW). I have UHC The Villages Medicare Complete 1 (HMO).

I just wanted to notify people who might be available to get this benefit.

Life is good!!!

[alwann]

I heard it's only good at the Spanish Springs location. Do you know if this is correct?

[2BNTV]

I don't know but you call the SS location and ask Julie.

She seems very knowledgable or you can call your healthcare provider directly.

[Dan9871]

Today I was at MVP Brownwood and they said it's good there.

[FMF Doc]

Originally Posted by alwann

I heard it's only good at the Spanish Springs location. Do you know if this is correct?

It is good at all locations. You can even sign up for the Plus 1 program and get 1 massage a month for only $30. All classes etc.

[Mudder]

I saw that too and thought it must be a mistake, so happy . Will stop in at MVP today and get all the details. Yay !

[John_W]

United Health has had a table set up at the entrance at the Brownwood location for the past week and a half to sign up new people for their plan. A friend of mine has signed up, but the premiums are $80 a month for this extra coverage. He only pays $60 now for MVP membership but he said the plan includes drug coverage and dental, so he figured it was worth it. Myself, as a member of a club and I'm given a club discount and I have a friend I referred to MVP, so I'm only paying $70 a month now for two people, so it's not worth it for me to change.

[2BNTV]

Originally Posted by John_W

United Health has had a table set up at the entrance at the Brownwood location for the past week and a half to sign up new people for their plan. A friend of mine has signed up, but the premiums are $80 a month for this extra coverage. He only pays $60 now for MVP membership but he said the plan includes drug coverage and dental, so he figured it was worth it. Myself, as a member of a club and I'm given a club discount and I have a friend I referred to MVP, so I'm only paying $70 a month now for two people, so it's not worth it for me to change.

Sorry, but I have to disagree respectfully. My understanding is:

The MVP membership is covered under Medical Advantage HMO 1 plan.

The plan you are referring to is Medical Advantage HMO 2 that cost an additional $80 per month. The literature I was given states the hospital rates for the first several day are much lower, ($175 days 1 thru 7 as oppose to $295 for days 1 thru 6),for the HMO 1 plan. Also, OOP maximum expenses are $1900 instead of $4500. Those are to two major differences.

It has nothing to do with being included in the MVP membership plan unless someone has some other insurance than UHC HMO 1 plan. The HMO 2 plan is the one they are trying to get people to switch to.

[rustyp]

I have the flyer in front of me as I type. Both the HMO1 and HMOPOS2 (+$81/mos) have check marks for "fitness membership". The big difference between the two plans are
1. $4500 out of pocket max HMO1 VS $1900 HMOPOS
2. $295/day co pay hospital days 1-6 HMO1 VS $150/day HMOPOS days 1-7
3. Access to local providers plus flexibility to visit doctors outside the network - ONLY WITH HMOPOS
4. Slight differences in other co pays

I have HMOPOS and the sole reason is to have out of network coverage since I am a snowbird. Without getting the out of network coverage I would not be able to stay with TV health care. PS in New York State all of my doctors and specialists are in network on this plan. As I learned the hard way dental and vision care with the HMOPOS is local only IE those are only covered in network here near The Villages.

[John_W]

Between those two replies, I'm still not clear if it's free or is it $81 extra a month. Silver Slippers we already have and it's free and it's included and I can go to Anytime Fitness as part of that option. Currently I have zero premiums with United Health Medicare Advantage and I pay MVP out of my own pocket.

[FMF Doc]

Originally Posted by John_W

Between those two replies, I'm still not clear if it's free or is it $81 extra a month. Silver Slippers we already have and it's free and it's included and I can go to Anytime Fitness as part of that option. Currently I have zero premiums with United Health Medicare Advantage and I pay MVP out of my own pocket.

John:

Bring your card with you and stop at the United table next time you go to MVP. They will tell you on the spot if you qualify or not. This is not the Silver Sneakers program but falls under Optum. If that is included in your plan MVP is included and free.

George

[rustyp]

Originally Posted by John_W

Between those two replies, I'm still not clear if it's free or is it $81 extra a month. Silver Slippers we already have and it's free and it's included and I can go to Anytime Fitness as part of that option. Currently I have zero premiums with United Health Medicare Advantage and I pay MVP out of my own pocket.

I was told plus the paperwork backs it up for 2018 MVP is included in your zero premium United Health Medicare Plan (HMO1) and the HMOPOS (+$81) plan at no extra charge.. Good luck trying to use it when the inrush occurs.

[John_W]

I did ask the lady at the table this morning and showed her my card. She said January 1st Silver Sneakers is going away, but Optum is replacing and is free. She said call the number on the back of your card after January 1st and tell them you want in the Optum program.

I've been going 5 days a week since May 2014, and it gets really crowded every snowbird season. I guess the few that we lost to Anytime Fitness because of Silver Sneakers, will be coming back. We might get some new people, but half the people I see now on any one day, I've never seen before. It seems they give them a clip board and show them the machines, but they lose interest after a few days and move on.

[salpal]

MVP already too crowded....been a member for seven years and each year gets more and more busy with all the new homes being built. I am a paying member and now I won't be able to get into the classes for the crowds.

Hoping a new gym pops up soon that is not too far.

[trichard]

Anyone that decides to enroll in UHC ma plan simply because it offers mvp as a benefit is loosing sight on the core issue of wanting to have access to quality health care. TVH is focused on money-centered care. Period!