Medicare Advantage Plans

[ljhl]

My wife and I have had original Medicare Parts A&B with a separate Supplemental and Prescription Drug plans for several years now. I was looking at Advantage plans and wondered if traveling from our stick home in Texas to our summer RV site in Maine would be a problem with the Advantage plan. If either of us needed to see a doctor while in Maine, would we be out of luck, insurance wise? Thanks for any of your experienced info!

[BarbaraOK]

We spend the winter in the Phoenix area. With so many seniors, the office staffS are so familiar with all of the ins and outs of Medicare that every thing goes quickly. Once a nurse said a test ordered might not be covered and I told here to code for an ovarian cancer diagnosed, sure enough covered. Once treated as a cancer patient you are always in remission never cured.

[Thunder_Mountai]

We have the AARP United Healthcare Plan F. I've been on it for 6 years. It has basically paid for everything that the Medicare 80% didn't including a shoulder rebuild and knee replacement. I've used it without problems while snowbirding. Most providers seem to be happy when you pull out the card since the plan pays without hassles.

[thomasmnile]

ljhl wrote:
Thanks everybody! We have had absolutely no issues with our current plans, guess we’ll leave well enough alone and stick with what we have. Thanks again!

Good plan, if it ain't broke......

[lap527]

I just signed up for Plan G medigap policy back in May. My thing was I didn't want to be tied to a network and wanted to make sure if I needed medical attention as long as my doctor or facility takes medicare they have to see me. I just pay for an annual part B deductible of 198 but add my monthly premium. I got prices for all major companies and it's surprising how much the difference can be but by federal law the plan has to offer the same benefits but the insurance company can certainly charge different rates. Be sure to do your research because it can be beneficial or not so much. I had to do all the research when my husband turned 65 and it paid off for us.

[ljhl]

Thanks everybody! We have had absolutely no issues with our current plans, guess we’ll leave well enough alone and stick with what we have. Thanks again!

[CindyfromCDA]

I am a Medicare Advisor/Broker (for 21 years now) and a new member here.
If the Medicare Advantage Plan is an HMO, you only have emergency coverage out of the service area. Medicare Advantage PPO plans allow you to use out of network providers for a higher copay or coinsurance. Traditional Medicare Supplement plans (like Plan F or G) are accepted nationwide by any provider that accepts Medicare.
Hope that helps. Any questions about Medicare, I'm here to help.

[Gonzo42]

We have Scan Health and it has been terrific, with no disappointments.

Several surgeries, continual blood tests and monitoring. Prescriptions zero of close to it.

[thomasmnile]

ljhl wrote:
My wife and I have had original Medicare Parts A&B with a separate Supplemental and Prescription Drug plans for several years now. I was looking at Advantage plans and wondered if traveling from our stick home in Texas to our summer RV site in Maine would be a problem with the Advantage plan. If either of us needed to see a doctor while in Maine, would we be out of luck, insurance wise? Thanks for any of your experienced info!

To answer your question, possibly. Advantage Plans typically provide out of network coverage for emergency care only. But if you are back home in Texas, will your doctors be in your plan's network? Advantage Plans refer to "out of network " providers. That statement would be more accurate if it read "completely on your own".

Like you, my wife and I have 'original ' Medicare, a supplement, and a Part D drug plan. My wife needed hearing aids, a Costco membership took care of that with reasonably priced and good hearing aids. We have dental insurance as well. More monthly cost than an Advantage Plan, but as long as we can pay the premium, we have no desire to change.

Finally, something to consider. If you leave original Medicare, go to an Advantage Plan, and want to return to original Medicare, you will be subject to medical underwriting for a Supplement.

[ferndaleflyer]

I passed out from heat exhaustion awhile back and United Health Care paid quick except for $250 of ambulance and $90 emergency but VA picked that right up. First time I ever used it as I usually use VA

[BarbaraOK]

We have been using Medicare with BSBC Supplemental and Express Scripts Plan D for 10 years. Has worked everywhere in the country. Dave had quadruple bypass last March and Pacemaker implanted in June. All done in Phoenix area. We paid nothing out of pocket for all of the surgeries, ICU stays, etc., which totaled almost $500K. Never had to check to see if it would be covered, only see physicians who except Medicare and everything is covered.

[Lwiddis]

Ask your independent insurance agent that sold you the plan. He/she will know, find out and/or report.

[delwhjr]

United Healthcare Advantage plan through AARP claims to cover any provider who takes Medicare, might be a place to start. All of the Advantage plans are listed on the medicare.gov website and in a book put out by Medicare called "Medicare and you". It can be downloaded or mailed.

[Flute_Man]

I have an advantage plan PPO which is good anywhere and I really like it.

[magicbus]

Going through these decisions myself for when I fully retire and lose the company plan next August. Right now I’m thinking that because we travel getting an F or G plan supplemental plan instead of an Advantage plan makes sense. If we stayed home the Advantage might be cheaper, but that’s not going to happen.

Dave