Originally Posted by charmed59 (Post 2304894)

I’m going to have to call SHINE. I’ve heard they are a great resource.

Originally Posted by charmed59 (Post 2304641)

I’ve been a full time resident here in the Villages for 6 years and am looking to turn into a snowbird.

For those who go back and forth, how do you manage Health care? I have doctors here, but I’m aging into Medicare so I’m need to chose a Medicare plan. The popular plans don’t seem to work outside of central Florida. I’d like to have most of my planned medical care, including my primary at my summer home.

Are there Medicare plans that work anywhere in the US? Or do I pick a plan that works in my snowbird state and then just use regular Medicare here? I do have the option of holding onto my federal retirement medical insurance. Can I use that as backup for Florida in case of emergencies while I’m here in the winter?

Originally Posted by charmed59 (Post 2304641)

I’ve been a full time resident here in the Villages for 6 years and am looking to turn into a snowbird.

For those who go back and forth, how do you manage Health care? I have doctors here, but I’m aging into Medicare so I’m need to chose a Medicare plan. The popular plans don’t seem to work outside of central Florida. I’d like to have most of my planned medical care, including my primary at my summer home.

Are there Medicare plans that work anywhere in the US? Or do I pick a plan that works in my snowbird state and then just use regular Medicare here? I do have the option of holding onto my federal retirement medical insurance. Can I use that as backup for Florida in case of emergencies while I’m here in the winter?

Originally Posted by charmed59 (Post 2304641)

I’ve been a full time resident here in the Villages for 6 years and am looking to turn into a snowbird.

For those who go back and forth, how do you manage Health care? I have doctors here, but I’m aging into Medicare so I’m need to chose a Medicare plan. The popular plans don’t seem to work outside of central Florida. I’d like to have most of my planned medical care, including my primary at my summer home.

Are there Medicare plans that work anywhere in the US? Or do I pick a plan that works in my snowbird state and then just use regular Medicare here? I do have the option of holding onto wmy federal retirement medical insurance. Can I use that as backup for Florida in case of emergencies while I’m here in the winter?

Originally Posted by tophcfa (Post 2304710)

Medicare Advantage plans typically are restricted to local networks and seeing specialists require referrals from a primary care doctor while Medigap plans have a national network and allow you to see specialists without a referral. We are snowflakes (travel between both homes several times per year) and would not even consider an Advantage plan as we would be out of network at one location and have to chase down referrals. I can’t speak for balancing both federal retirement medical insurance with Medicare as that doesn’t apply to us so I never researched it.

I would recommend picking up a good updated book such as “Maximizing Your Medicare” that explains various options in great detail. It’s a very important decision as you approach 65 and should be carefully researched. Best of luck!

Originally Posted by charmed59 (Post 2304641)

I’ve been a full time resident here in the Villages for 6 years and am looking to turn into a snowbird.

For those who go back and forth, how do you manage Health care? I have doctors here, but I’m aging into Medicare so I’m need to chose a Medicare plan. The popular plans don’t seem to work outside of central Florida. I’d like to have most of my planned medical care, including my primary at my summer home.

Are there Medicare plans that work anywhere in the US? Or do I pick a plan that works in my snowbird state and then just use regular Medicare here? I do have the option of holding onto my federal retirement medical insurance. Can I use that as backup for Florida in case of emergencies while I’m here in the winter?

Originally Posted by GoRedSox! (Post 2304880)

I was looking at the United Healthcare Medicare Advantage Plans for The Villages. They are not all the same, but the PPO plan had $0 additional premium, had access to the nationwide network, and did not require PCP referrals. Another plan was limited to the local network and did have referrals.