Originally Posted by Dan9871 (Post 1255909)

We have the Villages Health Advantage Plan and are very satisfied with everything including the quality of care and the convenience.

We've had one major medical event that involved a stay in Villages Hospital and later to Munroe. All was covered very well with the providers in the network. The way care is managed at Villages Hospital if you are in the Villages Advantage Plan is especially nice... your stay is managed by Villages Health doctors, not the hospital's Hospitalist doctors.

Lot's of other smaller things too, but no problem getting them taken care of with in-network providers.

We also had no problem getting permission and coverage to go to an out-of-network provider one time simply because the in-network providers were not conveniently located.

Before we came to The Villages we were in an HMO with limited providers to choose from and references needed and all that. We had a number of major medical events... but never had a problem getting quality services from inside that network either.

So for the past 35 years or so we've only had a limited network of providers and referral requirements. Yes, all that time we've had some worry that this would limit the availability and quality of our health care. But it has never been a issue.

Originally Posted by goodtimesintv (Post 1247544)

"

.....Impossible Burden For The Elderly And The Disabled

About half the cost of the ACA (Affordable Care Act) is paid for by cuts in Medicare spending and the only practical way those cuts can be made is by reduced fees to providers.

The Medicare actuaries have noted with alarm that Medicare fees to doctors will drop below Medicaid levels in the near future and the combined effect of lower Medicare and Medicaid hospital spending will drive one in seven hospitals from the market in the next five years.

Although the administration talks about making Medicare more efficient, three separate reports by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) have concluded that the pilot programs and demonstration projects that are supposed to find these efficiencies are not working.

In fact, the only place in Medicare that shows any promise at all is in the Medicare Advantage (MA) program. But the administration is determined to proceed with cuts in MA subsides and appears to be paying no attention whatever to the efficiencies MA entrepreneurs are discovering.

Because no serious budget analyst believes the Medicare spending cuts can withstand the inevitable political backlash and because they don’t believe the pilot programs will work either, both the CBO and the Medicare Trustees are annually publishing “alternative forecasts” in an effort to predict how Congress will cave. But if Congress does cave and restores the previous Medicare spending path, that means that the ACA isn’t paid for; and that, in turn, means large unfunded liabilities stretching out indefinitely into the future and increasing federal debt......"

Six Problems With The ACA That Aren’t Going Away

.

Originally Posted by goodtimesintv (Post 1256101)

It's in here, but you don't want to see it.......

Originally Posted by goodtimesintv

"

.....Impossible Burden For The Elderly And The Disabled

About half the cost of the ACA (Affordable Care Act) is paid for by cuts in Medicare spending and the only practical way those cuts can be made is by reduced fees to providers.

The Medicare actuaries have noted with alarm that Medicare fees to doctors will drop below Medicaid levels in the near future and the combined effect of lower Medicare and Medicaid hospital spending will drive one in seven hospitals from the market in the next five years.

Although the administration talks about making Medicare more efficient, three separate reports by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) have concluded that the pilot programs and demonstration projects that are supposed to find these efficiencies are not working.

In fact, the only place in Medicare that shows any promise at all is in the Medicare Advantage (MA) program. But the administration is determined to proceed with cuts in MA subsides and appears to be paying no attention whatever to the efficiencies MA entrepreneurs are discovering.

Because no serious budget analyst believes the Medicare spending cuts can withstand the inevitable political backlash and because they don’t believe the pilot programs will work either, both the CBO and the Medicare Trustees are annually publishing “alternative forecasts” in an effort to predict how Congress will cave. But if Congress does cave and restores the previous Medicare spending path, that means that the ACA isn’t paid for; and that, in turn, means large unfunded liabilities stretching out indefinitely into the future and increasing federal debt......"

Six Problems With The ACA That Aren’t Going Away

Originally Posted by Jimmydoodlebug (Post 1256130)

Could someone who uses this Medicare Advantage plan tell me how you get care when you're traveling to another state?

My wife is interested but we travel the country a lot and need to know if we'd be better staying with Medicare and a secondary provider.

Thanks

Originally Posted by Avista (Post 1256200)

The best thing to do is pose your questions to the folks at the Medicare Store. We've used the one in Sumter. They are great. Present as many "what if" scenarios you can think of.

You are covered at any hospital or urgent care in an emergency. If you are going to stay in a place for awhile you can get what is called a Passport. They can explain this much better than I can.

Originally Posted by Avista (Post 1256200)

The best thing to do is pose your questions to the folks at the Medicare Store. We've used the one in Sumter. They are great. Present as many "what if" scenarios you can think of.

You are covered at any hospital or urgent care in an emergency. If you are going to stay in a place for awhile you can get what is called a Passport. They can explain this much better than I can.

Originally Posted by 2BNTV (Post 1256317)

:agree:

It's best to check if the area you are traveling to will have adequate coverage. You must call them to activate your passport and call them to deactivate when you return home. It can be used for 9 months in a row.

Emergency care is covered worldwide for all MA plans.

Please check for your self.

Originally Posted by Jimmydoodlebug (Post 1256336)

Thank you for that answer. Where can I find the Medicare Store?

Originally Posted by Jimmydoodlebug (Post 1256336)

Thank you for that answer. Where can I find the Medicare Store?

Originally Posted by LvmyPug2 (Post 1256394)

The Medicare Store is a United Health Store. To get an unbiased opinion you should speak to a Shine Counselor. They will give you info on all the different plans and companies without trying to sell you a product.

Originally Posted by Joejohnson (Post 1256414)

Yes, do this. UHC Medicare store has their company in mind, and that may or may not be in your best interest. VHC has grandfathered some but not MOST. I am grandfathered, but my wife who has had the same insurances as I all our married life of 47 years, is not grandfathered. She accepts United Health Care or its see ya and goodbye. For some, UHC may be an improvement over their current medical insurance, but for us it would be loss of benefits, choice of Drs and more exspensive even with the loss of benefits. We don't wish to leave Villages Health Care, but we also will not change plans that cost more with less benifits.