UHC The Villages vs. Florida Blue The Villages Advantage plans
 

Has anyone done an in-depth analysis of UHC vs. FL blue for The Villages Health Advantage Plans?
I'm curious why you chose one over the other.
NOTE: I don't want to hear why traditional Medicare is better than an Advantage Plan. I'm going to get a Villages Advantage Plan. I LOVE my Villages PCP. So I ONLY want to hear from people who chose either FL Blue or UHC, and chose that plan because they want to be part of The Villages Healthcare.

I have Fl Blue Advantage for 7 years. Never use TV Healthcare System or Dr.’s because history shows they keep changing Docs and which insurance they will accept. My wife, who has had a knee and 2 hip (one last Monday) replacements had has found her own GP and specialists, as did I, outside the VHC network. These Dr.’s have been here since day one. Our FL Blue PPO Advantage works great outside the confines of TVHC system.

Have had UHC Villages Advantage plan for a few years along with my wife. Have never had a problem finding a doctor, including a specialist when needed. Have never had a procedure denied (and there were a lot of them).

We've had UHC The Villages for seven years now. No trouble getting appointments with PCP or specialists. Specialists do not require pre-approval but it's better if you have your doc's send a referral anyhow. Doctors and staff we've had at Villages Health are great. One time I wanted to go out of network just for my own convenance, one call to UHC and next day it was approved. Yes there are copays but they are capped. A couple of years we max'ed out because of lot's of hospital visits. We've just struck with UHC because it's worked well for us.

I switched to UHC Advantage because included in their plan has what they call "a passport", which I can use all over the country. As a snow bird I am covered both in TV and Mass. Whereas with my plan , Tufts, I was only covered for emergency care while in TV.

I don't believe there is much difference in the two offerings if any, since coverage is mostly regulated. We selected The Villages Health when we arrived when UHC was the only option. We chose it because friends that lived here had FL Blue and had some issues and suggested I look at an alternative. The Villages Health now accepts both so if you check the coverages co-pays and they are similar your decision is where you want to be treated. We have had the same doc for the 6 years we have been here permanently, have used several specialists and the now UF hospital with zero issues. The expansion of the health care facilities here (two new ER's, new Care Centers being built, Brownwood Advanced Care etc), the ability to see a Doc or PA same day if an issue arises, the 1/2 hour on time appointment schedule, the limited patient load keeps us with the The Villages Health. It works for us.

FL Blue Premiere has worldwide coverage with a $125 copay. I’m sure you would probably need to call first.

Did you compare UHC to BCBS? If so was UHC less expensive?

I've had nothing but great service from UHC and The Villages Health.

I don't know if Blue cross is accepted here. It was definitely more expensive than Tufts. I have excellent health and no meds so all I need is HMO plan 1 with 0 premium. Just glad for a plan that is accepted both here and Ma.

Blue cross is accepted at Villages Health if you are ineligible for Medicare. We’ve had no problem finding doctors outside Villages Health that take blue cross.

I have UHC but not UHC-Villages ? I honestly don't know the difference but would appreciated someone explaining the difference. My UHC is provided by the state university system in the state where I taught at several state universities. I never attempted to change it when we moved here. You mentioned being please with your G.P. here, your doctor. That has been a problem for us. Never have been nearly accosted by so many aggressive doctors any place we've lived ! I've gone to some with a sore throat, and once a swollen knee, and the tests order were mammography, Colonoscopy, and a who list of others. My former doctor always insisted was in no way indicated due to my family history on both sides of the family, and my life style, he said it was expensive, not risk free, and uncalled for unless there was some indication or complaint other than a sore throat. I am really worried about the kind of "one size" fits all no matter what your symptoms or complaint. Curious is anyone can recommend doctors that take time to find out what kinds of things do, or don't, run in your family, who know there is a whole RANGE of tests for colon cancer (along with a whole range of PRICES), and that colonoscopy if at the top of the price range, followed by sigmoidoscopy, and on down the line as indicated). I was surprised and very worried as to what would indicate that I immediately needed to be moved to the top of the more invasive and expensive, and actually the one with the greatest possibility of side effects, with no associated symptoms or complaints at all ? Anyone found a more skilled or knowledgeable physician here ? Never experienced anything anywhere near this ? Do people here generally go to a nearby town to go to the doctor ? Or, are there "ordinary" (LOL. what a term) regular, "family" doctors here that don't order an MRI if you twist an ankle, along with a colonoscopy, urinalysis, blood panel, and a mammography ?

Why haven't you looked into the differences? Seems odd. Do you know the difference between a colonoscopy and a sigmoidoscopy or is price your driver? I have always taken the position that if someone knows more than I do on a subject I take their advice. Personally, if the Doctor I selected recommends a test, I get it. I have insurance to mitigate the costs and my annual out of pocket is minimal. Another point, your family history was built at a different time, environment was different, diets were different, and probably healthier so history is a help but doesn't guarantee it will repeat itself either on the good or bad side.

FL BLUE ha more & better hospitals

I think they are both very good. I have UHC Medicare Advantage and have been very pleased. Appointments are easy, turnover is within the norm and the care has and access to specialist have met all my needs.