Tricare For Life?
 

We're moving to TV next year, turning 65, and retired military. I've been researching Medicare and Tricare For Life, and just need to decide on original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage Plan. I would love to know positive or negative experiences on Medicare Advantage and TFL. Advantage seems to be good for TV location based on medical care available, but what do I know. Actually, any advice, docs or website info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Hello and welcome! You will love it here.

We have Medicare and Tricare for Life. We use original Medicare and TFL acts like a free supplement. We never pay anything for any medical services. We get daily meds from Express Scripts. They charge I think $12 per script. Some meds are more. We can see any doc or clinic or specialty care that we want anywhere in the world. (Except not Villages Health clinics) There are tons of doctors here to choose from. They will like you because with TFL, they get paid full Medicare rates automatically, without extra work for their staff.

With an Advantage Plan, like Villages Health, your care will also be free. But you have to see their docs and use their clinics and listed hospitals.

If something big happens, with original Medicare you can choose to go to Shands, or Mayo in Jacksonville, or Moffit in Tampa, or another "Center of Excellence". With an Advantage plan, you don't have those choices. But you do get some extra goodies, like a basic dental plan. (the Tricare dental plan is better)

Go to SHINE to get an education that fits your individual situation. They are totally independent and only offer an education. They will leave the choice up to you after the education. I recommend you do not take selection advice off this website. Example - it is a certainty a poster will proclaim you have no choice of doctors or specialists selection on Advantage plans. That poster doesn't know the difference between an Advantage HMO VS an Advantage PPO plan. SHINE does ! This is definitely not a one size fits all decision. Where you reside, your health status, what is your coverage now, what can you afford, can your decision be reversed are just a few of the variables. Good luck.

I gather you're referring to floridashine.org? Looks like a good site. Really appreciate that advice.

Yes you are at the correct site, and they have ON SITE meetings in the villages, so if you want the in person experience, you can do that also. They saved us from making a really big mistake.

Leesipher
 

I use Medicare and. TFL and had no problems yet.

We also use Medicare and TFL. Works for us, but perhaps Shine can help make an informed decision.

Also retired military with regular Medicare and Tri Care for Life, been here a little over 4 years and never an issue with several Dr. Visits, a few ER visits and a few surgeries, very comfortable with it.

Your decision should be made on your health needs. If you have existing conditions, make certain there is a top-rated doctor who will suit your needs. The Villages Hospital and the Leesburg Hospital received a horrific, one-star rating. If that concerns you, there are better hospitals near Ocala. Since you have the time, it is probably best to do some research.

Tfl
 

My husband is retired army & I am a retired Fed employee. We used to have Medicare, BC/BS Fed, & TCL. Two years ago we dropping BC/BS when premiums reached close to $500/mo. Don't know why we didn't do this sooner. We have been very pleased with regular Medicare & TFL. We have never seen a bill for surgery, tests, etc. Specialists rejoice when you say regular Medicare - no referral or permisision needed. Co-pay & deductible are
covered by TFL. The real benefit is you can go wherever and see whatever doc you need to see without any hassle. Health care in The Villages can be sketchy at times, so we wanted the freedom to choose our own docs.

SHINE is absolutely the best for providing advice of this sort. The volunteers are well trained...amazingly so! They do not sell or endorse any carrier. All they do is provide unbiased information. They helped me immensely when I was about to select a Medicare Gap policy and answered all my Medicare questions. I saved a boatload of money and I have great coverage with my original Medicare and a Plan F Medigap policy (F is no longer available for new applicants but G is almost as good).

Good luck. These decisions that you are about to make are very important! Shine is the way to go and they have free, on obligation clinics periodically in The Villages.

Medicare and TFL for 15 years. I have had over a million dollars in claims without ever having a co-pay other than for prescription drugs. I get a monthly refill of a drug that costs $12,000 per refill...my co-pay is $14.00. Don't listen to advice from non-military retirees.

I had village health till I turned 65, got kicked out when had insurance change cause I wouldn’t take United healthcare supplement with TFL I didn’t need to and why pay off something I already had? So I had to switch doctors for routine appointments. I can see village health specialist if I want to and have after the insurance change. Plenty of options here without adding supplements you may not need?

Not meaning to pick on you!!

$1,000,000+ & $12,000/month for drugs?

We need to do something about medical care in this country and do it quickly. The cost of Medicare is going to bankrupt us.

A guy name John Silber ran for Governor of Massachusetts in 1990. He was the former President of Boston University and quite an accomplished guy. He barely lost the election to Bill Weld.

He lost, because he treated Boston's favorite newscaster (Natalie Jacobsen) less than politely.

People had forgotten, that earlier in his campaign, he had said: "The medical care system in the USA is going to bankrupt us all. Old people have a duty to die".

We're not there yet, but unless something changes, that's what it's going to come to.

Best advice given already: Talk to SHINE because your situation may be slightly different from the other retired military who are here. BUT. . . I am retired military; we have basic Medicare and TFL. Haven't had any issue from medical both on and off "campus." The Villages Health System accepts our Medicare/TFL with no issues. Do talk to the SHINE people though - your mileage may vary.

Cancer costs big time.