[moosemose]

Will this affect AARP/United Health as supplement to Medicare?

[NYGUY]

Originally Posted by moosemose

Will this affect AARP/United Health as supplement to Medicare?

Yes, will need United Healthcare Medicare Advantage Plans.

[villagetinker]

I spoke with a rep from SHINE today. Apparently there has been NO decision on what will happen to the 15,000 (or so) current patients of Villages health system that have a "grandfathered" Medicare supplemental plan, IF the VHS decides that only the ADVANTAGE plan will be accepted. This is or can be a very big deal for these patients. During this conversation I found out that Monroe Regional hospital is part of the VHS (not sure of the details), the problem is that very few if any of the VHS doctors have privileges at this hospital. Confused?? I am.
As I understand it (from this conversation) there should be a 'decision' in the next 2 weeks or so, and we all will be getting letters. So at this point, we are going to wait until we get a letter, then look very carefully at our options (stay in VHS, which means going to the advantage plan, or leave for doctors outside VHS with our supplement plan), and go from there. What we will not be doing is going to just the UHC offices to get their info, personally I doubt this is a balanced view.
The bottom line as I understand it, will be hold the ADVANTAGE plan handles doctors and specialists, and hospitals OUTSIDE of the existing system, or will there be additional resources added to the existing ADVANTAGE system to allow access to faculties and doctors outside the system for specialty care.

[wendyquat]

From personal experience I can't imagine that a big percentage would give up their current supplements to join an Advantage plan! The advantage plan seems a very good option for those without health problems but, as I understand it, can severely limit your choice of doctors when you may need services not covered under the advantage plan. Maybe that's the gist of it all! Under the advantage plan THEY control your health care, not YOU!

[2BNTV]

Advantage plans are geared for people who are relatively healthy and need preventive maintenance for their health needs and are relatively cheap.

Original Medicare and supplements are for people who have a condition that needs constant monitoring and possible hospitalizations. Also, peace of mind they won't receive any bills for their care. More expensive than advantage plans.

I plan to switch to original Medicare plus a supplement when my health needs would require it, but that's me.

Everyone must do what's best for themselves.