[Rainger99]

I just started Medicare on October 1 - and I am baffled by the number of plans and options available. And every time I turn on television, I am inundated with commercials for Medicare plans. I would be interested in any advice on which plans to sign up for and perhaps more importantly - which plans to stay away from. I currently have United Healthcare The Villages Advantage (HMO). The enrollment period ends on December 7 so I have time to change plans. I am also surprised at how expensive "free healthcare" is. I am paying more for healthcare now that I was when I was working.

[Dana1963]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

I just started Medicare on October 1 - and I am baffled by the number of plans and options available. And every time I turn on television, I am inundated with commercials for Medicare plans. I would be interested in any advice on which plans to sign up for and perhaps more importantly - which plans to stay away from. I currently have United Healthcare The Villages Advantage (HMO). The enrollment period ends on December 7 so I have time to change plans. I am also surprised at how expensive "free healthcare" is. I am paying more for healthcare now that I was when I was working.

Try calling Blue Cross I’d stay away from The Village Insurance through UHC. I have UHC through AARP not an HMO currently on plan F which is no longer available for new subscribers it’s provided through my retiree health plan.

[retiredguy123]

Contact an organization called SHINE. They provide free, unbiased information.

[villagetinker]

OP, contact SHINE, SHINE - Home, or (1-800-963-5337), for UNBIASED health care information. There are typically local meetings that you can talk to the reps directly. These people do NOT sell any insurance they will work with you to understand the various options.
Medicare and supplemental is the gold standard (IMHO), the part C ads for Medicare ADVANTAGE plans are NOT insurance plans these are managed care plans, you need to understand the difference. There can be significant limitations with these plans. SHINE will provide a lot of this info.

[DAVES]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

I just started Medicare on October 1 - and I am baffled by the number of plans and options available. And every time I turn on television, I am inundated with commercials for Medicare plans. I would be interested in any advice on which plans to sign up for and perhaps more importantly - which plans to stay away from. I currently have United Healthcare The Villages Advantage (HMO). The enrollment period ends on December 7 so I have time to change plans. I am also surprised at how expensive "free healthcare" is. I am paying more for healthcare now that I was when I was working.

Reason you are paying more than when you were working is you employer was paying part of the cost. What you were paying was only part of the cost. It is not,"free healthcare," Medicare and Medicaid are paid by what you and the rest of us paid into Social Security. We went on cobra for I think it was 18 months and then had a choice self insure or 24,000 a year, for private health care insurance. My wife forced me to take private health care insurance-FORTUNATELY.
They settle bills for far less than you would pay. I spent 5 days at the Villages Hospital and the bill was 50,000 the insurance paid roughly 25,000 and covered the bill IN FULL.
You are forced to have insurance. If, you choose to self insure you will pay almost twice as much should you need any care.

[retiredguy123]

Health care is expensive because the patient has little or no requirement to pay any of the cost of treatment. The only way to reduce the cost is to require patients to participate in the cost of treatment.

[Pinball wizard]

I highly recommend Glenn Ripoll: glenn@hcsinsured.com. I came across him by accident when I first started Medicare and he stepped me thru everything. He can set you up with any insurance company so what he does is look at your needs (medical, drugs, etc.) and then makes recommendations. He also lives in Florida and knows the area well.

[DAVES]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Health care is expensive because the patient has little or no requirement to pay any of the cost of treatment. The only way to reduce the cost is to require patients to participate in the cost of treatment.

I totally agree. When it is paid for by insurance or medicare/medicare. If, you ask if there is a less expensive option, the doctor will look at you like you are nuts. Years ago when I was on company paid health insurance, I had a doctor directly say to me,"What do you care, your insurance will pay for it." No matter what is done, medical care is a mess. Insurance company or medicare/medicaid the one paying the bill decides what care you will get.

[Babubhat]

United health TV has been excellent. No issues getting bills paid including ER visit

[Luggage]

You can call any of the postcards. Have your local doctors names and all prescriptions. Then decide after talking with them and discovering if your doctors are on there list, is covered in network. Some will provide additional features like I care hearing and then Dental

[NotGolfer]

While asking questions on social media sometimes is helpful----with yours, this time you'll only get MORE confused due to everyone's answer being different. As one other said, contact SHINE or an independent insurance agent whose not selling one kind. In that way you'll get unbiased information and they can walk you through what seems like a maize right now. I HATE the ads on t.v. as well as in the paper!!! They're all trying to sell! It gets tiresome---especially for those of us who already are set. Good luck in finding which is best for you. Once the selection is made you won't be so confused.

[bowlingal]

go to see a SHINE representative. SHINE stands for Serving Health Insurance Needs of the Elderly. They meet on different days in rec centers...Lake Miona, Eisenhower, Chula Vista, Lady Lake Library. A must go to for newbies. Medicare Advantage plans are good for healthy individuals, BUT if you get sick or hurt you will paying thru the nose. The ads sound so good, but health insurance is not free and you have to pay for it somehow. Get traditional medicare with United healthcare as a supplement and you won't have any expense except monthly premium which will end up being cheaper in the long run...no deductibles, no co-pays, no referrals and good though out the US. Medicare Advantage is not accepted everywhere.

[ladygolfer123]

Originally Posted by Dana1963

Try calling Blue Cross I’d stay away from The Village Insurance through UHC. I have UHC through AARP not an HMO currently on plan F which is no longer available for new subscribers it’s provided through my retiree health plan.

You can call United Medicare Advisors @ 855-390-9791 and agents there are willing to advise you (not sell) what is available to you in your area. Was the easiest and best call I ever made. You are the one to make the decision. They can tell you price per month and even sign you up right then.

[mkjelenbaas]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

I just started Medicare on October 1 - and I am baffled by the number of plans and options available. And every time I turn on television, I am inundated with commercials for Medicare plans. I would be interested in any advice on which plans to sign up for and perhaps more importantly - which plans to stay away from. I currently have United Healthcare The Villages Advantage (HMO). The enrollment period ends on December 7 so I have time to change plans. I am also surprised at how expensive "free healthcare" is. I am paying more for healthcare now that I was when I was working.

Welcome to the government and how everything they get their fingers into!

[billethkid]

Be sure to understand the difference between "regular" medicare with a self pay supplement VS the myriad "advantage" plans.

In my opinion there is not enough information about "regular" medicare.