[Jerry Leinsing]

Originally Posted by DAVES

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.

In a nut shell, If you are always in great health, the Medicare Advantage plans look so attractive, and you get all kinds of stuff for free and added to your SS check etc.

But if you are sickly or don't want to be going through buyers remorse when something is not covered or you didn't get approval, We went for standard Medicare and BC/BS supplement with a D Prescription plan with Wellcare for $12 a months for the stuff we take, and it's like 15 prescriptions.

The ads are misleading and make it sound like a no-brainer. Use the references on this post to get advice. You never know when you will be real sick.

[banjobob]

I also have United Health Advantage , no health issues at age 80 , needed pace maker , no charge normal doctor visits no charge, bloodwork no charge, My plan is perfect so far for me ,no premium , no charge for meds.

[villagetinker]

Originally Posted by banjobob

I also have United Health Advantage , no health issues at age 80 , needed pace maker , no charge normal doctor visits no charge, bloodwork no charge, My plan is perfect so far for me ,no premium , no charge for meds.

I am very happy for you, our several month adventure with an Advantage plan was the opposite, had to change doctors (all specialists), all new doctors had 2 month or more wait just for the initial visit and another month or 2 for the actual visit with the doctor, and NO coverage in the state of Colorado where the relatives live. We went back to Medicare and a supplemental plan.

[clouwho]

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.

Several people I know have used the medicare consultants/agency “boomerbenefits.com” to help them select the best Medicare plan(s) for themselves. The company has outstanding reviews across financial and business sites.

Most of the referrals you have received are for individual plan providers or salespeople who represent one or two plans. If memory serves me, Shine educates on Medicare, but doesn’t help you shop for or compare the details of specific supplements and plans.

And if ever the devil were in the details, it is so true in medicare plan selection. Your good health and very life, along with your finances; depend heavily on making a good decision for your own specific circumstances.

The boomers site shops every A-rated plan available in your area, at the budget you have chosen, and with the medical criteria you provide.

They do this across entire country. It would take you several 40 hour work weeks to fully understand the intricacies of each supplemental plans basics, much less read the fine print of each and every plan (and all the choices within said plans) you have at your disposal.

My husband enters the medicare fray this year and we are absolutely going to let boomerbenefits do the research and pricing legwork for us, so we can focus on actually selecting the best plan for him. Just reading and reviewing the options they offer that meet our needs could be a weeks work!

Their website has excellent educational text and videos as well.

Good luck!

boomerbenefits.com

[NewRealms]

Please don't seek advise here for such an important decision. Seek out a professional insurance advisor to learn all the facts before you make up your mind. Rick

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.

[BrianL]

There is a significant amount of bad information about Medicare and the absolute worst places to get information is from the people selling Medicare plans.
The following easy reading short book will provide you all the essential information about Medicare:
MEDICARE Made Crystal Clear: Avoid the Many Pitfalls, Navigate the Landmines
If you will not be starting Medicare until October, I'd wait until February or March to get the book so the 2022 Medicare updates will be in the book. A couple of key notes:
If you go with original Medicare, then you'll likely want a Part B supplemental plan. Are you aware that ALL supplemental plans with the same letter are IDENTICAL! There is no difference from a part B supplemental plan G from Blue Cross, United Health Care or anyone else.

[CAdams]

The answer is different for everyone. I love to travel. I also don’t like to pay out of pocket for anything. As a result, the advantage plans, and any that involve being in one place all the time to use their doctors, doesn’t work for me.

I ended up with Medicare that covers me no matter where I am at around $150/mo plus BCBS, $175/mo & Humana (drugs only) $15/mo.

I haven’t paid a penny for anything in 7 years, just the premiums.

[Rainger99]

Thanks to everyone for their advice and suggestions. It was really useful. I went to the SHINE meeting today and learned a lot - they are very knowledgeable and very helpful! But it is still complicated!!

[PugMom]

Originally Posted by Babubhat

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

i agree. i see lots of scare stories re: this plan, but so far has covered everything i needed. my spinal fusion done by an excellent neurosurgeon (Kaplan) @Orlando Health was covered, but for a $150 co-pay. that's it! no added Dr. bills or hosp. costs. i can go anywhere my docs advise me to go & it's covered. it's been 4yrs & haven't had an issue yet

[PugMom]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

Thanks to everyone for their advice and suggestions. It was really useful. I went to the SHINE meeting today and learned a lot - they are very knowledgeable and very helpful! But it is still complicated!!

let us know how you decide, if you'd be so kind.

[rustyp]

Originally Posted by Babubhat

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

I second that. As I've posted on this subject before if one posts UHTV is no good ask them the next question - have you been a member ? Most bad mouth the plan because they won't give up a supplemental that goes with their pension. Understandable. That is not a reason to say UHTV is bad.One more clarification. Many posts are about advantage plans not good for travel. I am a snowbird and seasonally reside in NYS. Almost any doctor or facility in NYS reciprocates as in network on that plan. Many states reciprocate with the UHTV plan. In fact you do not even have to make the phone call that you are heading out of state anymore. The last time I looked for some reason there are a hand full of mid-west states that don't. That doesn't mean you can't get healthcare there either. You most likely will pay the out of network rates until you reach the out of pocket limit.