Originally Posted by Aces4 (Post 2418741)

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.

Originally Posted by kingofbeer (Post 2418746)

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. "

Originally Posted by kingofbeer (Post 2418746)

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. "

Originally Posted by GreggC69 (Post 2418584)

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?

Originally Posted by Tomptomp (Post 2418622)

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.

Originally Posted by GreggC69 (Post 2418584)

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?

Originally Posted by sdeikenberry (Post 2418647)

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.

Originally Posted by Aces4 (Post 2418761)

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...

Originally Posted by Taltarzac725 (Post 2418792)

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.