Health Care for Newbies
 

Boy, where to start?
My wife and I will be moving to TV in a couple years. Of course, one of the unknowns is health insurance. At the time we move, we will both be over 65. We will both be terminating insurance coverage from employers. We will be moving to a new state. Where in the world do we start? Will have Medicare A and B, and looking at supplement (?) or MAP (?) Is there a guide that can give us direction? I'm seeing posts about TV health care and getting a bit nervous. Can someone give us an idea of where to start?

before even moving here you can speak to an independent ins. agent for recommendations. BUT you can also do the same thing here w/out obilgation. It they're independent they don't have something to push upon you.

My advice would be to talk to SHINE, you can get unbiased factual info. Both MA and traditional with supp. have their advantages and drawbacks. You should also note that TVH takes only UHC MA plans.

UHC MA is United Health Care Medicare Advantage. My brother-in-law and his wife have MA and wish they did not.

We have regular Medicare and BCBS as supplemental, plan F. It costs us ten thousand a year but we have not paid a single cent out of our pockets in spite of our several surgeries, etc.

Of course, the magic question is WHY they wish they didn't

Thanks for the info, folks. I will definitely be contacting SHINE to get pointed in the right direction. This retirement stuff is going to be complicated!

Anothe Vote
 

I would also vote for Blue Cross/Blue Shield plan F. It gives you total mind freedom. We have had some rather serious illnesses over the last month and on going for another month and have not paid a cent with charges in excess of $100,000+ at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. It depends of course on your financial status, health, etc. but if you want to not worry about any medical bills I really believe that is the best for peace of mind.:wave:

You can do a search on the site lots of info and opinions, but here are some questions to ask SHINE.
SHINE - Home
SHINE Program Department of Elder Affairs

4040 Esplanade Way, Suite 270 Tallahassee, FL 2399-7000
Toll Free 1-800-96-ELDER 1-800-963-5337
TDD/TTY 1-800-955-8770
Fax 850-414-2150
Email information@elderaffairs.org

Consider the following:
Advantage versus supplement plans
What happens if you go advantage and then want to go back to supplement
Existing health concerns or conditions
Cost per month for health care and drugs.
Villages Health (primary care doctors) only accept advantage plans (2 or 3 options), specialists, hospitals, etc, accept supplemental (maybe advantage) plans
Lots more to consider, send me a PM with phone number if you would like to discuss further.

Get help from the agents. When you move to new place, keep a good relationship with the neighbors.

Except for the $10000 a year x how many years? Villages MA is Zero premiums after they take your Small Medicare Amount.

Agree with Tinker and GEagles...................SHINE.