Talk of The Villages Florida - Supplement health ins.

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- Medical and Health Discussion (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/medical-health-discussion-94/)

- - Supplement health ins. (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/medical-health-discussion-94/supplement-health-ins-120181/)

Quote:

Originally Posted by shcisamax (Post 955530)

Thanks Summit Medigap.
ANd what does it mean you can't switch back from a supplemental to an advantage. Is that forever?

After Summit Medigap answered many posters' questions on this thread, we called him, as my husband wanted to switch Medigap companies.

Bill was extremely helpful. He is located in Ponte Vedra, but he with either meet you halfway to discuss your options in person, or he will talk to you over the phone. He can send you a link that will allow you to follow along with his computer as he explains options. If you are computer literate enough to post on this forum, you will be able to do this easily.

I highly recommend him. He has many options, and can also help you find the best prescription plan. Take a look at his web site by left-clicking his screen name and choosing view homepage on the pull-down menu.

BTW, my husband chose AARP-sponsored UHC for my husband and will save close to $100/month over Mutual of Omaha, which kept raising rates on him twice a year just for living longer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Summit Medigap (Post 955909)

If you have a Medicare Supplement plan you can switch plans at anytime of the year that it benefits you.

However, if someone was switching from a Medicare Supplement to a Medicare Advantage plan then they would need to wait for the Annual Enrollment Period which starts every October 15th. That is a Medicare Advantage rule, not the Medicare Supplement. I don't see it very often that someone with a Medicare Supplement would want to switch to a Medicare Advantage.

The benefits of a Medicare Supplement plan can not change & the plan is guaranteed renewable which means you can keep it forever. There is never a network issue because there isn't a network.

The benefits of a Medicare Advantage plan can and do change from year to year. The network also changes. I find that people who switch from a Medicare Advantage to a Medicare Supplement are usually tired of both of those happening.

Regards,
Bill

Bill you are the expert but it is my understanding that if a member wishes to move between medigap(supplement plans) s/he may be subject to insurability issues i.e underwriting? This is not the case if an insured wishes to move from Medigap to an Advantage plan

P.S i have this rule in print

Personal Best Regards:

Do you contact a broker like you do for car insurance here, or the insurance company directly? I'd rather deal with a person, than on-line or an 800 number.

Would suggest you watch this before deciding.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eh-...ature=youtu.be

Quote:

Originally Posted by Summit Medigap (Post 973918)

Interesting that a provider would be pushing Medicare Advantage over a Medicare Supplement.

It is a really good Medicare Advantage commercial however they left out some very important points. We offer both but we feel it's important for clients to understand all of the facts.

What they don't say about Medicare Advantage plans:

1. The max out of pocket costs can be as high as $6,700 per year.
2. The benefits can & do change year to year with a Medicare Advantage plan.
3. The network can change year to year also.

In contrast, max out of pocket for a Medicare Supplement can be $0, the benefits are not allowed to change & there is no network. That means a person can go to any doctor or hospital in any state they want. If they take Medicare they will take the Medicare Supplement regardless of who the carrier is.

It boils down to understanding both so a person can make a truly informed decision as to what is best for their particular situation.

Regards,
Bill

The Villages Advantage program has the Max out of pocket at $4500. Each month we put aside what we would have paid for a Medigap policy Plus RX drug policy. We draw on this for any Co Pays.