[curly top]

In a couple of months I will be turning 65 so need to decide what type of healthcare insurance to switch to. There has been a lot of articles published about TV UHC Medicare Advantage Program and TV Healthcare system. Some of it sounds too good to be true. I would appreciate hearing from anyone who participates if they're happy with the doctors and service provided. I am worried that I will be changing from my current doctors and wondered if there was any particular doctor at Colony or Pinellas that you would recommend.

I am getting inundated with brochures and mail from every insurance provider out there. Whom told them I was turning 65?

[John_W]

My wife had Humana for drug coverage and paid $22 a month and she had United Health Medigap plan which was $184.50 a month. Last July I turned 65 and signed up with the Medicare Advantage plan. My wife saw how good and cheap the plan was for me, she dropped those two plans and signed up for Medicare Advantage herself at the Medicare Store at Brownwood.

First off, under her old plan she went to Premier Medical at Lake Sumter and she wasn't crazy about their service and then her doctor left, who she felt wasn't as good as others in the past. She has now been to the Villages Medical at Pinellas twice to see her doctor, who she really likes. She getting drugs at Walgreens in front of Pinellas and not having to go all the way to Walmart and stand in long lines only to have them say their is a problem or they are out. She picked up a drug yesterday for $90 which under the old Humana plan was $140. She's had a mammogram, bone density tests, anything you want. It the best deal ever and we're saving over $200 a month in premiums.

Myself, I went to the dermatologist Dr. Casper today, who many consider the best and paid just a $30 copay. Within 5 minutes they diagnosed my problem which other dermatologist couldn't figure out even after taking a biopsy.

[2BNTV]

I can't give any recommendations for a doctor down in Colony and or the Pinella's but I just switched to UHC Medical Advantage and I am going to see Dr. Rosenblum in the Santa Barbara health facility.

The good thing about the UHC plan is you see any doctor you wish, without a referral. You must select a PCP but any other doctors/specialists, can be seen without a referral. They have a lot of doctors in their network too!

You can visit their facility and get a tour. They also have a concierge type of system where you can call at any time and get a doctor on the phone. To me, that means a lot.

My former plan needed a referral to any specialists.

[Avista]

Agree. We have been extremely pleased with The Villages Health System. We go to Colony. Go to,their web site. The docs are listed and if you click on them each will say a few words. Each physician is limited to a certain number of patients. You may need to ask and see who,has openings at this time.

[NYGUY]

Originally Posted by curly top

In a couple of months I will be turning 65 so need to decide what type of healthcare insurance to switch to. There has been a lot of articles published about TV UHC Medicare Advantage Program and TV Healthcare system. Some of it sounds too good to be true. I would appreciate hearing from anyone who participates if they're happy with the doctors and service provided. I am worried that I will be changing from my current doctors and wondered if there was any particular doctor at Colony or Pinellas that you would recommend.

I am getting inundated with brochures and mail from every insurance provider out there. Whom told them I was turning 65?

I will try to answer your question. Upon turning 65 you will become eligible for Medicare. You can select straight Medicare, or select Medicare and add a Supplement (coverage for uncovered Medicare services) (an additional premium is required for a Supplement) or select a Medicare Advantage Plan (HMO or PPO).

The Villages Health system will only accept you as a new patient if you have chosen a United Healthcare Medicare Advantage Plan (many insurance companies offer Medicare Advantage Plans and Supplements).

My wife and I both are in The Villages Health system with Primary Care physicians. We are both happy with our primary care doctors. Where The Villages Health falls flat, as well as this area in general, is specialists. I believe this is due to the difficulty in recruiting top-notch specialists to our rural area.

I know this it a lot to absorb. I strongly suggest you contact SHINE to assist you. Be aware the the Medicare offices in each town square are run by United Healthcare and therefore have a vested interest in only their products.

[goodtimesintv]

Originally Posted by NYGUY

I will try to answer your question. Upon turning 65 you will become eligible for Medicare. You can select straight Medicare, or select Medicare and add a Supplement (coverage for uncovered Medicare services) (an additional premium is required for a Supplement) or select a Medicare Advantage Plan (HMO or PPO).

The Villages Health system will only accept you as a new patient if you have chosen a United Healthcare Medicare Advantage Plan (many insurance companies offer Medicare Advantage Plans and Supplements).

My wife and I both are in The Villages Health system with Primary Care physicians. We are both happy with our primary care doctors. Where The Villages Health falls flat, as well as this area in general, is specialists. I believe this is due to the difficulty in recruiting top-notch specialists to our rural area.

I know this it a lot to absorb. I strongly suggest you contact SHINE to assist you. Be aware the the Medicare offices in each town square are run by United Healthcare and therefore have a vested interest in only their products.

Not having specialists is related to United Healthcare's extensive cuts to physicians-specialists in its networks. This is what monopoly control tends to do:

2013 -- "....The Ohio State Medical Association estimates that UnitedHealthcare has canceled contracts with hundreds of Ohio doctors effective Jan. 1. The cancellations include most of the orthopedic surgeons in Dayton, the only hand specialty practice serving the Cincinnati area, a large gastroenterology practice with 2,500 patients that also provides most of the inpatient care at five Cincinnati-area hospitals, and the largest practice of retina specialists serving 600 UnitedHealthcare members, many with macular degeneration, in central and southern Ohio.

In Connecticut, UnitedHealthcare is terminating about 2,250 physicians, including 810 specialists, Feb. 1, said Mark Thompson, executive director of the Fairfield County Medical Association, prompting the medical associations in Fairfield and Hartford counties to file a federal lawsuit to stop the cancelations.

In New York City, UnitedHealthcare's contracts with about 2,100 physicians will be canceled, affecting some 8,000 patients, according to the Medical Society of New York.

In Florida, UnitedHealthcare has dropped the state's only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer treatment facility, the Moffitt Cancer Center, and its 250 physicians in Tampa..."

UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage cuts doctors

[NYGUY]

Originally Posted by goodtimesintv

Not having specialists is related to United Healthcare's extensive cuts to physicians-specialists in its networks. This is what monopoly control tends to do:

2013 -- "....The Ohio State Medical Association estimates that UnitedHealthcare has canceled contracts with hundreds of Ohio doctors effective Jan. 1. The cancellations include most of the orthopedic surgeons in Dayton, the only hand specialty practice serving the Cincinnati area, a large gastroenterology practice with 2,500 patients that also provides most of the inpatient care at five Cincinnati-area hospitals, and the largest practice of retina specialists serving 600 UnitedHealthcare members, many with macular degeneration, in central and southern Ohio.

In Connecticut, UnitedHealthcare is terminating about 2,250 physicians, including 810 specialists, Feb. 1, said Mark Thompson, executive director of the Fairfield County Medical Association, prompting the medical associations in Fairfield and Hartford counties to file a federal lawsuit to stop the cancelations.

In New York City, UnitedHealthcare's contracts with about 2,100 physicians will be canceled, affecting some 8,000 patients, according to the Medical Society of New York.

In Florida, UnitedHealthcare has dropped the state's only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer treatment facility, the Moffitt Cancer Center, and its 250 physicians in Tampa..."

UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage cuts doctors

I was referring to the lack of top-notch specialists in this rural area in general, not just specialists accepting United Healthcare. However, the information you provided is very important.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by 2BNTV

I can't give any recommendations for a doctor down in Colony and or the Pinella's but I just switched to UHC Medical Advantage and I am going to see Dr. Rosenblum in the Santa Barbara health facility.

You couldn't have picked a better doctor! (no, I'm not him).

[GordonL]

My wife and I were also confused about medicare programs when we turned 65. Agents always seemed to have an agenda and created more confusion. Yes, UHC The Villages Advantage plan is a great deal with some caveats. It is a local HMO, so it is not the best for snowbirds. But you have emergency coverage anywhere in the US. You are restricted to doctors in the UHC network, but most people seem to be quite happy with the choices. If you have unique medical condition(s) you should check to see needed specialists are in network, otherwise consider a supplement plan rather than an Advantage plan.
Wife an I have been in 3 Advantage plans due to moves. We have been very pleased with all - Cigna, Humana and now UHC. Medical events have included cataract surgery, knee replacement surgery, hearing aid, dental care.

[GordonL]

My wife and I were also confused about medicare programs when we turned 65. Agents always seemed to have an agenda and created more confusion. Yes, UHC The Villages Advantage plan is a great deal with some caveats. It is a local HMO, so it is not the best for snowbirds. But you have emergency coverage anywhere in the US. You are restricted to doctors in the UHC network, but most people seem to be quite happy with the choices. If you have unique medical condition(s) you should check to see needed specialists are in network, otherwise consider a supplement plan rather than an Advantage plan.
Wife an I have been in 3 Advantage plans due to moves. We have been very pleased with all - Cigna, Humana and now UHC. Medical events have included cataract surgery, knee replacement surgery, hearing aid, dental care.

[georgieporgie]

Why isn't anybody talking about Florida Blue? They have Shands and Moffitt Center in their Advantage Plan Networks, both the HMO and Regional PPO. Besides, fyi, all the Villages Employees are on Blue Cross Blue Shield, Florida Blue, believe it or not!

[CritterLover]

Originally Posted by georgieporgie

Why isn't anybody talking about Florida Blue? They have Shands and Moffitt Center in their Advantage Plan Networks, both the HMO and Regional PPO. Besides, fyi, all the Villages Employees are on Blue Cross Blue Shield, Florida Blue, believe it or not!

The ONLY medicare advantage plan that The Villages Health participates with for NEW patients is United Healthcare and they have never participated with a BC medicare advantage plan.

[CritterLover]

Originally Posted by 2BNTV

I can't give any recommendations for a doctor down in Colony and or the Pinella's but I just switched to UHC Medical Advantage and I am going to see Dr. Rosenblum in the Santa Barbara health facility.

The good thing about the UHC plan is you see any doctor you wish, without a referral. You must select a PCP but any other doctors/specialists, can be seen without a referral. They have a lot of doctors in their network too!

You can visit their facility and get a tour. They also have a concierge type of system where you can call at any time and get a doctor on the phone. To me, that means a lot.

My former plan needed a referral to any specialists.

You do have to have a referral to see a TVH specialist, but the specialists only see patients of TVH and do not take outside referrals, so the referral process is much more quick and painless

[georgieporgie]

The word is, The Villages are invested in UHC, and own part of the business.

[CritterLover]

Originally Posted by NYGUY

I will try to answer your question. Upon turning 65 you will become eligible for Medicare. You can select straight Medicare, or select Medicare and add a Supplement (coverage for uncovered Medicare services) (an additional premium is required for a Supplement) or select a Medicare Advantage Plan (HMO or PPO).

The Villages Health system will only accept you as a new patient if you have chosen a United Healthcare Medicare Advantage Plan (many insurance companies offer Medicare Advantage Plans and Supplements).

My wife and I both are in The Villages Health system with Primary Care physicians. We are both happy with our primary care doctors. Where The Villages Health falls flat, as well as this area in general, is specialists. I believe this is due to the difficulty in recruiting top-notch specialists to our rural area.


I know this it a lot to absorb. I strongly suggest you contact SHINE to assist you. Be aware the the Medicare offices in each town square are run by United Healthcare and therefore have a vested interest in only their products.

Do you think TVH specialists are not top-notch or do I misunderstand?