Tips for new snowbird regarding health care
 

I’ve been a full time resident here in the Villages for 6 years and am looking to turn into a snowbird.

For those who go back and forth, how do you manage Health care? I have doctors here, but I’m aging into Medicare so I’m need to chose a Medicare plan. The popular plans don’t seem to work outside of central Florida. I’d like to have most of my planned medical care, including my primary at my summer home.

Are there Medicare plans that work anywhere in the US? Or do I pick a plan that works in my snowbird state and then just use regular Medicare here? I do have the option of holding onto my federal retirement medical insurance. Can I use that as backup for Florida in case of emergencies while I’m here in the winter?

Blue Cross/Blue Shield works everywhere and when you age into Medicare, you can add BCBS as a supplement.

Coverage that goes where you go: Travel worry-free with Blue Cross Blue Shield | Blue Cross Blue Shield


I'm sure there may be others, but I bring my BCBS everywhere I go and never have a problem.

Medicare Advantage plans typically are restricted to local networks and seeing specialists require referrals from a primary care doctor while Medigap plans have a national network and allow you to see specialists without a referral. We are snowflakes (travel between both homes several times per year) and would not even consider an Advantage plan as we would be out of network at one location and have to chase down referrals. I can’t speak for balancing both federal retirement medical insurance with Medicare as that doesn’t apply to us so I never researched it.

I would recommend picking up a good updated book such as “Maximizing Your Medicare” that explains various options in great detail. It’s a very important decision as you approach 65 and should be carefully researched. Best of luck!

Federal Retiree here!
 

I can tell you from experience, that Medicare A&B and Federal Employee Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans work together no matter where we are. We are up north 4-5 months a year and here in Florida the remaining time. Since we spend more time here our primary doctors are in Florida but it will work either way. Since BCBS picks up what Medicare does not cover we pay nothing.

FepBCBS has three options. The middle option (basic) will reimburse you $800 toward your Medicare Premiums which is worth looking into. Take your time and review the plans based on your medical needs. Hope this helps!:wave:

OP, you can call or contact SHINE (Seniors Health Information Network) they provide unbiased information on and for people just going into Medicare, they helped us a LOT.
SHINE - Home
Also they have local (in TV) meetings so you can discuss in person.

I like having the BCBS Supplement as I can go anywhere without a referral to see any specialist that I choose. Same with a primary, I can choose any Dr. that I want except for The Villages primaries as they don't accept supplements however there are plenty of great primary care doctors all around and withinThe Villages. If you live in the southern villages Leesburg also has some great doctors as well as the hospital.

I suggest you contact retirees from your former employer since they have the same insurance as you. They are leading the way for you without the hearsay.

That would be great as my present insurance is Federal BCBS

Full time resident turning into a snowbird…interesting.
Thinking of that too…sick of full time paradise here…the kool aid ran out already

I was looking at the United Healthcare Medicare Advantage Plans for The Villages. They are not all the same, but the PPO plan had $0 additional premium, had access to the nationwide network, and did not require PCP referrals. Another plan was limited to the local network and did have referrals.

I’m going to have to call SHINE. I’ve heard they are a great resource.

It’s really the siren call of grandchildren. Who happen to live in an area with a world renowned health center.

Traditional Medicare works anywhere in the US that takes Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans only work in localized areas. But also know that Villages Health DOES NOT take traditional Medicare.

I kept my Federal BCBS that became my secondary when I went on Medicare. But Villages Health won't accept it as secondary if you go with traditional Medicare. But I am covered where ever I am and need medical care.

All the medicare supplements are accepted anywhere in the US along with medicare. I would stay away from any advantage plan no matter what anyone tells you. I am a Florida resident have medicare plus an Aetna supplement, go back to Il for several months and had eye surgery this last Nov at Mayo in Rochester Mn, no problem.