[Bzemom22]

Cheri Harper-Tate, Guided Medicare Solutions, 352-260-0151. Knowledgeable, efficient, accurate. SHINE was a waste of time for us.

[Kenmazon]

You are talking about Advantage plans not Medigap plans. Medigap plans do not change year to year, Advantage plans very often do.

[Bkosloski]

Originally Posted by Joeint

I found YouTube to be an excellent place to learn about Medicare. Once you are here make an appointment with Vyonne Tepsick Insurance she's a great resource and will ensure you get the right insurance plan for you.

We give Vyonne Tepsick our first rate approval every time. Consider Plan N which is a little less expensive and charges $20 deductibles to see a Dr. Since you are in good health you won’t see one often.

But Yvonne will give you the info so you can decide.

[Rande]

I have Transamerica Life for my supplement. A lot less expensive than UHC and it’s rated A+. My premium is about $160 per month. I carried the plan over from NJ and have been extremely happy.
What many don’t realize is you don’t need the most expensive provider or well known by name. They all have to cover the same benefits as Medicare. For prescription I use WellCare. It’s less than $12 a month. Actually cheaper in Fl than NJ. I am only on a statin. So it works fine for me. By all means consult an expert but make sure they represent a portfolio of plans not just the most commonly known.

[rsmurano]

Do not go with an Advantage Plan! Go with a plan G supplement plan. Also, you don’t have to have a Florida based plan. I’m saving around $75 a month by using a Georgia based plan compared to getting the exact same plan in Florida. I asked the insurance company and they told me their insurance is good wherever Medicare is good. So while you are up north, check both states to see which offers a cheaper plan.
Also, you can’t be turned away from the start to get into a supplement plan, but they can refuse you afterward, so it’s crucial you get your supplement early on. You can always get an advantage plan if you ever want to change.

[bowlingal]

FYI...the Villages Health for primary care docs do not accept traditional medicare, BUT their specialists do accept it. UHC supplement is the way to go

[Bridget Staunton]

Talking to Shine great advice , nice people & they lay everything on the the table, no push. I find traditional Medicare the best, then any supplemental company will work, they are all contracted & paid by Medicare

[LucyP]

Originally Posted by arbud

Hello all.
I am 67 have been retired over a year. On social security.
I have been on my wifes Baltimore county public school health insurance.
She will be retiring July 1 but is not old enough to collect ss for another 6 months.
She will have to pay alot more for her health insurance and I will have to start using medicare.
Along with that I will have to get supplimental dental, vision and i guess prescription.
I am in perfect health as we speak and takwe no medication, but you never know what the future brings of course.
I suspect alot of the villagers are in the position I am entering.
Who do you use. I am in MD now but will be moving down there perminately Oct 3
Any help will be appreciated.

Medicare A&B plus I have Blue Cross with Dental and vision. I chose my doctors. Check into C for both of you too. Different plans for all chose best for you two. I did not need C because how my Blue setup.X fed employee.

[banjobob]

Very happy with United Health Advantage plan

[Riversong]

Originally Posted by LucyP

Medicare A&B plus I have Blue Cross with Dental and vision. I chose my doctors. Check into C for both of you too. Different plans for all chose best for you two. I did not need C because how my Blue setup.X fed employee.

Is that some thing that you had to set up before you retired from federal employment?

[msilagy]

Many of these answers are not accurate. Supplemental insurance is the same for each company (meaning same benefits - if you choose plan G all benefits the same) the difference is the premiums. If you are fairly healthy try Mutual of Omaha plan G. They underwrite by asking questions regarding your health. The other companies do not so the premiums are less. And yes you need med D for prescriptions or they will surcharge you heavily when you do sign up. I was in healthcare so my knowledge is accurate. I am not knowledgeable about advantage plans, although I would never have one.

[Cindy619]

Freedom Health, based in Tampa. We've been with them for a few years.

[Villages Kahuna]

Many people are “tied” to the insurance company chosen by their employer. But for those that have a free choice, I can tell you all from first hand experience which insurance company NOT to use.

Florida Blue is the worst insurance company I have ever had the misfortune to use. You will have to get their pre-approval to go to any doctor or specialist other than your primary care doctor, as well as many procedures. And Florida Blue is slow, slow, slow in providing such approvals of your doctor’s referrals and ordered treatments.

Once, on a Friday afternoon Florida Blue simply went home for the weekend and told me to call back Monday morning. My primary care doctor was enraged and sent me to the ER because the condition he ordered be treated was life-threatening. Even though the ER was a long wait, at least he knew I would be treated Friday evening.

[Joe Mack]

United Healthcare

[SusanStCatherine]

"Along with that I will have to get supplimental dental, vision and i guess prescription."

You don't have to get any of those. I haven't had dental or vision for decades. Those two restrict who you can see and what they will cover. I find many of the best dental providers don't take insurance at all.

The prescription plan may be worth it because you never know what you may need at a given time.