Insurance recommendations for retiring federal employee
 

My wife and I will be retiring to The Villages early next year. During open season this fall, I would like to switch to an insurance plan that has a wide range of coverage in The Villages. We are currently in a HMO now, but expect this will not be our best options after retirement. Any suggestions?

United Health is preferred for Villages healthcare. Service been excellent so far

I am a retired Federal employee, and I have the Blue Cross Standard plan as my only health insurance. I do not have Medicare Part B because it is redundant. I have saved thousands of dollars since turning 65 by not paying the Medicare premiums. There is no problem finding providers in The Villages area. Also, the Blue Cross plan has an annual catastrophic limit of $5,000, which I could afford, if needed. Note that the catastrophic limit applies to all out-of-pocket expenses, including prescription drugs. Do the math before signing up for Medicare. In my case, it makes no financial sense at all.

Contact SHINE: SHINE - Home, for unbiased information, NOTE: The Villages Health System only accepts 3 or 4 ADVANTAGE plans, Villages Health SPECIALISTs accept regulart Medicare and Supplemental. Yes this is very confusing.

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Thank you for your feedback!

it is common for hospitals to list their insurance networks on their websites.


if you know where you plan on living, you could check the plans accepted by local hospitals.

I agree with being fully informed. But, in my experience, you don't get unbiased information from someone who is selling a product.

For federal retirees the coverage/plan IS exactly the same as for current workers. I am also a fed retiree and came to the same conclusion as others that it makes no sense to have medicare along with FEHB. I have BCBS and have no problem finding doctors here.

I'm retired fed and I have GEHA and have no problems anywhere. used to have BCBS but found GEHA just as good for less.

GEHA is good, but I had a friend who had to switch to Blue Cross when GEHA's drug committee denied coverage for an expensive drug.