[jcreason5616]

I choose Humana which covers FL and PA. So far so good. We are relatively healthy so not much experience

[MX rider]

Originally Posted by Aces4

Exactly and I have no problem with that premise, the family is here for the money. The premise that makes me chuckle is thinking that allowing only the Medicare Advantage Plan participants care at certain Village medical facilities and providers is doing all Villagers a favor.

I don't think the premise of The Villages health is to "do all villagers a favor".
It's simply their business plan to only accept MA. No different than some doctors and hospitals that don't accept MA plans and only take traditional Medicare.

As I've said, Medicare is not a one size fits all. Everyone should make an informed choice that works best for them.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by kingofbeer

Only accepting selected Medicare advantage plans keeps the volume of patients lower. Plus, the selected plans are 4 and 5 star plans not the inferior plans that you see advertised on TV'S. "Who wants coffee?". The Medicare Advantage plans pay Villages Health after you are enrolled even if you never use their services.

"Medical groups can get paid from Medicare Advantage plans, as these plans contract with healthcare providers, including medical groups, to provide the Medicare-covered benefits to their enrollees, and are paid a per-person amount to provide the care. "

I totally agree with your first sentence. I think that is the goal.

[Villagesgal]

Anyone can buy into the Villages Health Advantage plans, you do not need to live in the Villages. That said, I was a part of The Villages Health, I do live here, but opted for a standard medicare policy which meets my needs much better than the Villages Advantage plan. Everyone has to consider their own health, age, and what they can afford.

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by kingofbeer

Only accepting selected Medicare advantage plans keeps the volume of patients lower. Plus, the selected plans are 4 and 5 star plans not the inferior plans that you see advertised on TV'S. "Who wants coffee?". The Medicare Advantage plans pay Villages Health after you are enrolled even if you never use their services.

"Medical groups can get paid from Medicare Advantage plans, as these plans contract with healthcare providers, including medical groups, to provide the Medicare-covered benefits to their enrollees, and are paid a per-person amount to provide the care. "

People can't see the forest for the trees. Once enough seniors have been, IMHO, suckered into the Medicare Advantage plans, the party will be over. Every senior will be pushed into private insurance for their healthcare and the cutting of coverages begin. Insurance companies are in business for profit, not for anything else. I foresee coverages and care squeezed as insurance companies fatten up.

Again, I encourage everyone to read this report in it's entirety.

Just a moment...

[Marine1974]

Originally Posted by GreggC69

What do you think the breakdown is for The Villages on Medicare between the two options? Most I talk with are on the advantage plan; I have spoken to very few on traditional Medicare. I have been surprised by that.

Also, I was shocked that The Villages Health Centers only accept Medicare Advantage and not traditional Medicare. Is that because the reimbursement for physician services is that much different between the two options?

I recently went to the ER in January in the villages .
I am a veteran. I gave the registration person my VA healthcare card , but the insisted I provide my regular Medicare card and my AARp supplemental insurance card . I was surprised to find out the hospital billed all three and was paid by all three .
When I reported this to the VA , they told me not to worry , the hospital will be audited and have to pay back regular Medicare and my supplemental. So I’m not sure about the villages hospitals not accepting regular Medicare.

[PPLEPEU]

Originally Posted by Tomptomp

I think Medicare advantage would put me in a network of doctors. Since I am a snowbird I need doctors in two locations that Medicare will cover. I don’t think that works for snowbirds.

We are snowbirds and have zero issues with UHC Advantage. We have doctors here in Florida, in Michigan, and the heart specialists at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.

We’ve never had a procedure denied or been limited in our choice of physician.

[RoboVil]

Originally Posted by GreggC69

What do you think the breakdown is for The Villages on Medicare between the two options? Most I talk with are on the advantage plan; I have spoken to very few on traditional Medicare. I have been surprised by that.

Also, I was shocked that The Villages Health Centers only accept Medicare Advantage and not traditional Medicare. Is that because the reimbursement for physician services is that much different between the two options?

I have traditional Medicare. No delays in treatment, no referrals needed for specialists, limit of $2000/yr on meds. Problem with Medicare Advantage is delay in treatment and you never know from 1 year to the next if the hospital you want to go to will be covered.

[Jayhawk]

Originally Posted by sdeikenberry

Medicare Advantage Plans work because they are supposed to keep patients healthy. In reality, the plan receives a certain amount of money for each person in the plan and it's in the plan's best interest to not spend money on patient's if they avoid it...because the less spent the more profit they make. That said, they are still obligated to provide the necessary health care to a patient, but they aren't obligated to go beyond what is strictly necessary. The main problem with Advantage Plans is you CANNOT choose to go to any facility or doctor you wish UNLESS they are inside the plans network.
We have traditional medicare with an AARP supplemental plan that covers all of our expenses the traditional medicare won't pay. We've had this plan for over 10 years now. So beyond our monthly premiums we pay zero dollars for healthcare. This works for us...we can go anwhere we choose and have any doctor we choose and it's completely covered...no issues.
I am a former healthcare provider and I would never recommend anyone get an Advantage Plan unless they simply cannot afford regular medicare with a supplemental plan attached. You lose too much control of your healthcare...and you are your best advocate...not someone else.

Really? Can you go to The Villages Health?

[MX rider]

Originally Posted by Aces4

People can't see the forest for the trees. Once enough seniors have been, IMHO, suckered into the Medicare Advantage plans, the party will be over. Every senior will be pushed into private insurance for their healthcare and the cutting of coverages begin. Insurance companies are in business for profit, not for anything else. I foresee coverages and care squeezed as insurance companies fatten up.

Again, I encourage everyone to read this report in it's entirety.

Just a moment...

You seem to infer that anyone on MA is a sucker and not smart!
Very condescending actually.

Like many, we did our research, talked to people on our plan, read lots of reviews and articles, checked the provider network, and chose what works best for us.
Even SHINE said an advantage plan was a very good option. Btw, cost was not our main concern.

I don't buy into your doomsday scenario at all. Competition will make the ma plans even better over time or people will stop signing up for them, imo. Btw, all doctors and most hospitals are for profit.

[Taltarzac725]

I am rather new to Medicare. Quite a headache when you are around 65-66.

I do not know how long I will live in the Villages so I will have to take it year-by-year.

Are there some physicians here in the Villages who are not connected to the Villages health? I have been lucky so far and have been able to get by with using Urgent Care. But sometimes would have a problem while waiting to get on Medicare while no longer covered by Florida Blue. Time constraints on who I can belong to, etc.

I only have until the end of March to figure out what to do about Medicare Advantage.

[jimjamuser]

Traditional Medicare with additional options is the way to go.

[coleprice]

If it is within your budget, sign up for Medicare Plan G or Plan F, which are Medicare "Supplement" plans. Although the monthly cost is higher than a Medicare Advantage Plan, they cover many more services, and besides a small annual deductible, there are no co-pays. Also, you don't need a Primary Care Physician to recommend a procedure. Many more doctors take the Supplement plans because these plans pay them better. Check out the following website to watch videos that will educate you on the alternatives: medicare school.com

[ckcapaul]

Snowbirds, just went to a doctor outside the villages to have one here and up north. Traditional Medicare and supplement G, handed my cards to receptionist and she says " you got the good insurance"

[LuvtheVillages]

Originally Posted by Taltarzac725

I am rather new to Medicare. Quite a headache when you are around 65-66.

I do not know how long I will live in the Villages so I will have to take it year-by-year.

Are there some physicians here in the Villages who are not connected to the Villages health? I have been lucky so far and have been able to get by with using Urgent Care. But sometimes would have a problem while waiting to get on Medicare while no longer covered by Florida Blue. Time constraints on who I can belong to, etc.

I only have until the end of March to figure out what to do about Medicare Advantage.

There are LOTS of physicians here who are not connected to Villages health. And all of them take basic Medicare and many of the Advantage plans. Most of them are good. Some of them are great. Many are within golf cart access. The only trick is finding one who is accepting new patients.

Villages Health is not the only option. Different people have different needs. Go talk to SHINE, a free healthcare advisory service. (Not located inside the Villages Health clinics.)

Be aware that once you are with an Advantage plan, it may not be possible to switch back to basic Medicare, especially if your health changes.