[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by ColdNoMore2

I only did/do that to those who obviously are.

Read my post above again, as I said that I believe some who are otherwise pro-developer (and don't post very much) have come out and actually criticized them on this issue.

Hard to be a 'shill,' if you're not constantly/frequently (like some) blowing their horn for them and always defending the developer...regardless of the issue.

Gosh. Who wouldn't? This is an amazing place and run exceedingly well. Show me something better.

[spuds51]

This is a 22 min. video all about Medicare Advantage plans. This is by an independent broker that sells Advantage Plans as well as supplements for original Medicare. This is very informative and explains the pros and cons of the two.


[URL="https://medigapseminars.org/medicare-advantage-plans/"

You have to copy and paste the link. I couldn't get it to post the link for some reason

[outlaw]

Originally Posted by CritterLover

Please be responsible and proactive and get the facts from United Healthcare instead of jumping on the bandwagon of all the misinformation and TVH-bashing that's running rampant. For as many nasty posts exist here, even more are from happy patients, like me, who have converted to advantage. YOU have to be your own advocate and do the work to get factual information. If your undies are in a bunch, you just MAY be totally misinformed.

That's funny.

[outlaw]

There have been articles regarding TVH/UHC cancer specialist deficiencie/issues. You can find these articles if you search.

[Carla B]

Originally Posted by Joejohnson

Yes, it does in a way. Village Health Care has made the call to not allow anyone that turns medicare eligible after 1 Jan 17 to stay unless they convert to UHC Advantage. My wife turns 65 in Aug 2017; hence she is out. She will b allowed to stay until she turns 65 in August 17, but then when she turns Medicare eligible, she is automatically Tricare for Life. As I keep trying to explain to knitter, she would have to give up her Tricare for Life and sign up for UHC. If we had an insurance with co-pays and other high costs, we would consider changing, but even then it would not be for a substandard company like United health care. UHC may be an improvement for many people, but there is no comparison between the benifits of United Health Care and Tricare for life. If she was 8 months older, we BOTH would have been grandfathered in and we would have stayed. The Villages Health is WONDERFUL but not with United Healthcare Advantage.

So you are saying people who are presently on Tricare for Life are okay to stay with VHS. But anyone after Jan 1 who goes on Tricare for Life when they turn 65 will be dropped. If so, that seems illogical, unless they are just waiting for the present Tricare people to die off or move on. If Tricare is accepted now, why wouldn't it be in one year? If I were in your position, I think I'd just sit tight and see what happens until just before August, 2017. Maybe they'll change their minds yet again.

[CritterLover]

Originally Posted by outlaw

That's funny.

What, exactly, is funny?? The part about expecting grown, rational, supposedly educated adults to get facts before flying off the handle?

[spuds51]

Originally Posted by CritterLover

Certainly~ I spoke with the "Patient Services Rep" at my doctor's office. I was told that every office has one, and mine really knew her stuff. PLEASE, as I stated before, MAKE A CALL!

Oh I have made several calls. It sounds like you have made up your mind and I am not trying to change it. Like someone else said it's best not to take any advise too seriously you see on an message board. The thing is your doctors office has an agenda, don't ya think? I'm sure what they told you was true but did they tell you everything. I'm going to give you a number to call, you can call if you want or disregard.

Matthew Claassen ph# 1-800-847-9680 ext-2. He is an independent nation wide insurance agent. He sells all Medicare plans (including Advantage plans..which he gets the most for selling you). Tell him your situation and that you are considering an Advantage plan and see what he has to say. It won't cost a dime and you will never find a more knowledgeable person anywhere when it comes to Medicare. He has been at it for decades and his wife works in Medicare billing. As you said they know their stuff. Either way good luck to ya.

[CritterLover]

Originally Posted by spuds51

Oh I have made several calls. It sounds like you have made up your mind and I am not trying to change it. Like someone else said it's best not to take any advise too seriously you see on an message board. The thing is your doctors office has an agenda, don't ya think? I'm sure what they told you was true but did they tell you everything. I'm going to give you a number to call, you can call if you want or disregard.

Matthew Claassen ph# 1-800-847-9680 ext-2. He is an independent nation wide insurance agent. He sells all Medicare plans (including Advantage plans..which he gets the most for selling you). Tell him your situation and that you are considering an Advantage plan and see what he has to say. It won't cost a dime and you will never find a more knowledgeable person anywhere when it comes to Medicare. He has been at it for decades and his wife works in Medicare billing. As you said they know their stuff. Either way good luck to ya.

As I've stated in numerous other posts, my personal research went far beyond the rep in my care center. Yes, I'm switching, after finding that it would be dumb for me not to. Different strokes for different folks. It's what makes the world go 'round!

[Mikeod]

Originally Posted by Joejohnson

Yes, it does in a way. Village Health Care has made the call to not allow anyone that turns medicare eligible after 1 Jan 17 to stay unless they convert to UHC Advantage. My wife turns 65 in Aug 2017; hence she is out. She will b allowed to stay until she turns 65 in August 17, but then when she turns Medicare eligible, she is automatically Tricare for Life. As I keep trying to explain to knitter, she would have to give up her Tricare for Life and sign up for UHC. If we had an insurance with co-pays and other high costs, we would consider changing, but even then it would not be for a substandard company like United health care. UHC may be an improvement for many people, but there is no comparison between the benifits of United Health Care and Tricare for life. If she was 8 months older, we BOTH would have been grandfathered in and we would have stayed. The Villages Health is WONDERFUL but not with United Healthcare Advantage.

Have you spoken to a Tricare rep? We investigated our options as we expected to have to choose between staying with Tricare for Life or UHC. I spoke to a rep for TFL and was told clearly that going to UHC only affected Medicare and the TFL drug plan. Essentially, TFL was separate from my Medicare coverage and unaffected by choosing an advantage plan (except for the drug coverage). If I left UHC and let TFL know, they would restart my drug plan. I was going to find out if I went with UHC, would TFL cover my co-pays. But before that happened, I found out I could stay with Medicare/TFL, at least for 2017. We'll see what happens after that.

[PTennismom0202]

I started with TVH when I was 63. I have Tricare . They told me I was grandfathered in forever. One month before my 65th birthday I got a call telling me I'd have to change to United HC Medicare Advantage "a la The Villages" or find a new PCP. Oops, they changed their grandfathering policy. My Tricare for Life is better than United HC Advantage so I changed, but I was mad. So yes, they can force Tricare beneficiaries out.

If Tricare for Life beneficiaries opt into United HC Medicare Advantage HMO, the TFL drug benefit is off, and the United HC drug benefit is on.

[hansel]

The letter we received indicated there was nothing for us to do as TRICARE FOR LIFE will be acceptable

[outlaw]

Originally Posted by CritterLover

What, exactly, is funny?? The part about expecting grown, rational, supposedly educated adults to get facts before flying off the handle?

It's funny that you think asking UHC what they think about their product is actually due diligence. Would you go to a Ford dealer to find out the problems with their vehicles?

[outlaw]

Originally Posted by hansel

The letter we received indicated there was nothing for us to do as TRICARE FOR LIFE will be acceptable

I think that is only true if you are under 65, or if your are enrolled in medicare advantage.

[Mikeod]

Originally Posted by outlaw

I think that is only true if you are under 65, or if your are enrolled in medicare advantage.

Tricare for Life is for Medicare eligible, thus over 65 in most cases. Tricare for Life current members are eligible to remain in VHS.

[CritterLover]

Originally Posted by outlaw

It's funny that you think asking UHC what they think about their product is actually due diligence. Would you go to a Ford dealer to find out the problems with their vehicles?

The insurance rep I spoke with was independent and actually provided information on many other companies' plans, not just UHC; I found him completely unbiased and professional. Govern yourself accordingly, and I'll continue to hold myself accountable for the information I choose to rely upon.