[GatorFan]

AARP part D increase 2012 over $40.00 month. Does anyone currently have a plan for Part D that is less money that you would recommend? Supplement is through prior employer but does not include prescriptions.

[VillagesFlorida]

Well, could you ditch the whole thing and go with a Medicare Advantage Plan like what Preferred Care Partners offers? It includes prescription drug coverage and there is no premium for the drug benefit, just as there is no premium for ANY of the coverage in the plan. I get generics and there are no co-pays on those. Just a thought.

[CMANN]

Originally Posted by VillagesFlorida

Well, could you ditch the whole thing and go with a Medicare Advantage Plan like what Preferred Care Partners offers? It includes prescription drug coverage and there is no premium for the drug benefit, just as there is no premium for ANY of the coverage in the plan. I get generics and there are no co-pays on those. Just a thought.

What is the catch?

[Shirleevee]

We have Preferred Care and the previous poster is correct. The Advantage and Gold plans are being combined into one plan 1/2012..........there is an office in LSL........check them out

[Avista]

My husband is on PreferredCare for 2011. He has been very pleased. I have AARP Supplemental now, but am seriously considering joining him in Preferred Care Partners next year.

[wendyquat]

Just be careful when switching from a medicare supplement plan to a medicare advantage plan like Preferred Care Partners. The way I understand it, if you are not happy and want to go back to a med sup, you will have to have a physical and the rates could be much higher.

In my mind the PCP plan would be fine for a relatively healthy senior but believe me that can change overnight. Upon being diagnosed with type II Diabetes I went from taking a multiviatmin a day to 4 or 5 medicines, all related to the diabetes. Thank Heaven most are generic and not really expensive.

When we moved from NC a few months ago, all of my meds were generic and not a real expense but after seeing a new doctor here in TV, he wants to change my meds to higher tier drugs and that could be very costly. Not only do I have to pay more per month, but I'd get in the doughnut hole after 3 or 4 months!

The medicare advantage plans are very tempting with no premiums but I don't recognize any of the doctors on their current website and I'm in fear that I might want to change back to AARP and not be able to afford the premiums based on my current health status.

I will take another look at PCP during open enrollment but I've very wary of what they have to offer at this time.

[Avista]

My husband is very pleased with his internist (board certified) through Preferred Care Partners. I am going to transfer to his physician.

[VillagesFlorida]

I, too, have been happy with my doctors. Many of the doctors on PCP's provider list hail from foreign countries but I am finding that most are very well educated and are willing to work with me when it comes to drug choices, etc. I NEVER allow them to prescribe brand name drugs. There would have to be no other options left before I would spring for a drug that is not a generic. A neurologist a few years back, long before I was on the PCP plan, was very adamant that I take Cymbalta for my jumpy leg. He was quite angry when I refused the script. He was so nasty that I never went back. The [U]nurse practitioner[U], where I see my doctor now, suggested magnesium citrate, an OTC supplement that I get in the health food store. I haven't slept this well in 25 years! My doctor seems very willing to work with me as a team, to see if we can find natural solutions to medical problems. I was a bit nervous when I left the AARP supplemental insurance that I had been on. As a cancer survivor of 10 years I know that there are no guarantees that the "Big C" won't rear its ugly head again at some point. Chemo drugs are covered through PCP at 80%. My 20% could get expensive if I ever need these drugs. But, the out-of-pocket limit will put a cap on what I would have to spend and my savings every year in premiums will easily take care of a big portion of that cost. I guess all any of us can do is to educate ourselves as to the options we have for insurance and then choose a plan that allows us the least amount of worry and/or the most amount of savings, going forward.