Medicare Advantage for Full Timers?

Pick a supplement like blue cross.

mrlightrail wrote:
Is there any program out there for those of us on Medicare to take advantage of the benefits of a Medicare Advantage program when travelling? I like the low Dr visit copays and routine care savings.

And those benefits come from having you see the same physician/group in the same area all of the time. Costs vary widely across the country, that is why all of the Advantage program require you to use their local providers most of the time. BTW, some of the costs of the Advantage programs will be passed onto subscribers in the coming year or so as the subsidies that the companies were getting from Medicare are being phased out.

Barb

It's my understanding that Medicare Advantage plans are limited to specific areas. Therefore I don't see how you could use one across the US. donn0128 suggestion is the way to go, however I think that would increase your out of pocket costs not reduce them. From the Medicare site: "You can generally join a Medicare Advantage Plan if: You live in the service area of the plan you want to join. The plan can give you more information about its service area. If you live in another state for part of the year, check to see if the plan will cover you there."

I have a decent HMO plan being offered in my area, but I do plan on travelling a lot, and want to make sure I'm not slammed if something happens when I'm out and about.

mrlightrail wrote:
I have a decent HMO plan being offered in my area, but I do plan on travelling a lot, and want to make sure I'm not slammed if something happens when I'm out and about.

On our medicare advantage HMO, it does cover emergency room and the neighborhood 'quick care' type of visits.
Unfortunately not good for routine or preventative doctor visits.

If full-timing you need to go with a supplement rather than an 'Advantage'. We haven't had to pay anything - copays or surgery bills - with our supplement and we have no problem going to any doctor or hospital we choose.

I have a supplement also and have no copays either. You can choose a supplement plan that does have some copay and slightly lower monthly premiums. Choose what plan you are comfortable with.

We're in Pennsylvania and my wife got a medicare advantage plan from Blue cross, Senior Blue. Its listed as being good in all the lower 48 but we haven't tried it yet. $63.00 a month and $15.00 for primary doctor visit. Of course getting a medicare advantage plan depends on your overall health and doctor useage.

mrlightrail wrote:
I have a decent HMO plan being offered in my area, but I do plan on travelling a lot, and want to make sure I'm not slammed if something happens when I'm out and about.

Exactley! I had a stroke while on an extended RV trip a couple of years ago and between medicare and BC?BS out-of-pocket expense was very small.

There also are a couple of outfits that will cover expense to get you cared for and home if something bad happens- MASA and Skymed are two that I know about.

sdianel wrote:
It's my understanding that Medicare Advantage plans are limited to specific areas. Therefore I don't see how you could use one across the US. donn0128 suggestion is the way to go, however I think that would increase your out of pocket costs not reduce them. From the Medicare site: "You can generally join a Medicare Advantage Plan if: You live in the service area of the plan you want to join. The plan can give you more information about its service area. If you live in another state for part of the year, check to see if the plan will cover you there."

I have a medicare advantage program and it is good for all 50 states! The statement that these plans are only local is misleading and incorrect! Check out all of the available plans. Each, I believe provides a nationwide list of where it is in effect.