[bowlingal]

SHINE people are Medicare people, NOT insurance people. Lake Miona, Eisenhower, Chula Vista Rec centers are where they meet with you. Also Lady Lake library also. Different days/times for each. Well worth your time. Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders.

[Pgcacace]

FYI: UHC Avantage plan works all over the US with no referal needed for a specialist. It is not just for a local network.

The bcbs info is a great suggestion for the OP since he already is on that plan.

[loufromnewjersey]

With United Healthcare supplemental plan whenever you leave the state for six months you call United Healthcare and they switch the plan to the state that you are going to

[Rzepecki]

Originally Posted by charmed59

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

They are a GREAT resource. Their suggestions are based on your personal situation and no one else’s.

[Janie123]

Originally Posted by charmed59

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?

Probably need a supplement plan, G is probably the most popular. I will be getting it thru Florida Blue. Also, some hospitals do NOT take Medicare advantage ie. Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. Also, if you have any history of illness, switching from advantage plans to supplemental requires a medical check and if you are already diagnosed, you may be declined causing more out of pocket having to stick to the advantage plans.

I have been researching this for months now as my wife is a cancer patient at the Mayo Clinic..

[NoMo50]

I suspect sticking with your FEP Blue will provide the most seamless transition. We were in the same situation when we retired a few years ago, and opted to keep the BCBS plan we were both covered on. Now, Medicare Part B is our primary coverage, with BCBS providing the backup, or supplement. Since we enjoy traveling, it was a big part of the decision that our BCBS plan provides worldwide coverage, if needed. Also, since going on Medicare/BCBS, we have not paid a penny out of pocket for medical bills, to include a couple of surgeries, dermatology biopsies, etc. I do agree that a visit with the folks at SHINE would be of benefit.

[kendi]

Originally Posted by charmed59

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?

Avoid the advantage plans. There are very few if any that will allow you to have medical care in both locations. And they require pre-approval. Check out the medigap plans for your supplemental and plan D for your meds. Below is the website with the information you need.

Find a Medicare plan

[Villagesgal]

Go speak with a SHINE rep. I am a snowflake and have United Healthcare Plan G. Works great anywhere in the States and offers limited overseas care as well.

[Keninches]

Don’t get an Advantage Plan. To be safe stick with the Regular/original Medicare and get a supplemental.
We have The Original Medicare and AARP UNC and have no problems anywhere. Pick our own doctors, specialists, and hospitals, like Moffitt, Shands etc. No referrals, our main doctors are in Florida.

[Buckeye Bill]

Originally Posted by charmed59

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?

We have Aetna / Medicare and it works both in Florida and Ohio

[rustyp]

"AARP® Medicare Advantage Choice (PPO) has a network of doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, and
other providers. With this plan, you have the freedom to enjoy nationwide access to care at innetwork costs when you visit any provider participating in the UnitedHealthcare® Medicare National
Network (exclusions may apply). Plus, you have the flexibility to visit any provider nationwide who
accepts Medicare."

No PCP specialist referral required.

[Professor]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

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!

I agree with this. Medicare Advantage is probably great if you stay in one place, but if you go back and forth like I do, regular Medicare allows you to pick your own physicians and no referrals are needed for specialists. To me that is the way to go. If you have a plan through work that you can keep, you need to do your homework and see if it is what you want for a supplemental policy. Good luck.

[trishaf]

I have The Villages Advantage plan and am very happy with it. I have United Health and am a Florida resident who spend summers in the north with out issues for medical care and see my regular doctors there as needed. They also have a BC/BS plan as well that is also portable.

[Muzik]

Originally Posted by charmed59

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?

Whatever you decide, please stay away from Advantage plans. They restrict your coverage to only certain providers. Go with a Supplemental Plan. I have AARP's United HealthCare (Supplemental) Plan, and I am really happy with it. It will cover me anywhere in the U.S. as long as the provider accepts this plan. I have not yet encountered a (Medicare) provider who rejects this insurance, since providers seem to generally have positive experiences with them.

[MX rider]

Originally Posted by GoRedSox!

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.

That is the plan we chose after a ton of research. We needed a plan that took care of us in Indiana and here in TV. They have a huge, nationwide network and are very highly rated by Medicare. It works well for us. But everyones situation is different. Calling SHINE is s good start.

Great thing is you have options. Good luck.