[xray731]

I'm asking here as I feel I can get a better response than in the Health and Insurance section where most don't go.

We'll be moving to Al next summer and will both be on Medicare. NY is currently community age so everyone pays the same premium for medigap plans but I know Alabama is not. Due to the high costs of Medigap plans - we may have to go with Medicare Advantage.

Is there one that people prefer over another and how are the network of doctors. It seems sometimes that if referred to a specialist - people on MA can't find a good doctor in their network. Just trying to plan ahead. We'll most likely be moving to the Deatsville / Prattville area.

Thanks in advance.

[GreggT]

I would certainly avoid an Advantage Plan, you have no guarantee that if you go to a hospital everyone will be in your network. Actually the Medigap plans in Alabama are not that bad. I am 77 years old and my plan F just went over $200.00 a month.

[xray731]

Originally Posted by GreggT

I would certainly avoid an Advantage Plan, you have no guarantee that if you go to a hospital everyone will be in your network. Actually the Medigap plans in Alabama are not that bad. I am 77 years old and my plan F just went over $200.00 a month.

TY Greg - when I checked the other day due to my husband being a smoker his rates went up from $183 here in NY to almost $400 for G but I'll double check.

[GreggT]

We have Etna, Plan F. like I said we just received notice than my premium will exceed $200.00

($237.67) for the first time. My wife who is 70 premium is $164.15.

[nvolovets]

[O=GreggT;62100645]I would certainly avoid an Advantage Plan, you have no guarantee that if you go to a hospital everyone will be in your network. Actually the Medigap plans in Alabama are not that bad. I am 77 years old and my plan F just went over $200.00 a month.[/quote]

Another thing to take into consideration is whether they offer COBRA.

[nvolovets]

Originally Posted by GreggT

I would certainly avoid an Advantage Plan, you have no guarantee that if you go to a hospital everyone will be in your network. Actually the Medigap plans in Alabama are not that bad. I am 77 years old and my plan F just went over $200.00 a month.

If you are unemployed your company may offer some form of compensation.

[GreggT]

Another thing to take into consideration is whether they offer COBRA.

Originally Posted by nvolovets

If you are unemployed your company may offer some form of compensation.

Reading the first post, it is obvious the OP is retired.

[harry chickpea]

Originally Posted by GreggT

I would certainly avoid an Advantage Plan, you have no guarantee that if you go to a hospital everyone will be in your network. Actually the Medigap plans in Alabama are not that bad. I am 77 years old and my plan F just went over $200.00 a month.

Not accurate. I won't say BS, but it is close. Many of the advantage plans are PPOs - NOT HMOs. There is reason $$$ why some companies promote that deception.

There are only a few major players in AL. Blue Cross has been sitting on past reputation until it has begun to stink. Humana has some decent PPO plans. Viva - somehow related to Huntsville Hospital - may only offer in northern areas of the state. IMO, stay AWAY from United, in any way shape or form. Cigna is one I prefer to avoid, YMMV.

If you are already retired, you generally have to pass underwriting to get a gap policy. Advantage plans MUST accept you.

It isn't something most people think of, but just going with medicare and paying the rest out of pocket can be an option.

[GreggT]

Originally Posted by harry chickpea

Not accurate. I won't say BS, but it is close.

Please explain your thinking Harry??? What is not accurate???

[harry chickpea]

Originally Posted by GreggT

Please explain your thinking Harry??? What is not accurate???

Advantage plans can be HMO or PPO. With a PPO, you can use any hospital and are not restricted in providers the way that an HMO forces. The co-pay might be higher for using out of network, but it isn't onerous.

Basic concepts are that if you have lots of expensive pre-existing conditions, sign up for a solid medigap plan from a national company at 65, when you don't have to pass underwriting. If you are generally healthy and/or short on funds, an advantage plan may be a better option. The range of services in an advantage plan HAS to cover anything covered by original medicare. Some MAY have additional bonuses, such as dental and eye care.

One aspect that many people do not consider is that if a plan - medigap OR advantage - is not profitable, a company can pull out of an area completely. When that happens, and a new plan is chosen, rates may be higher or underwriting not passed if the new plan is medigap. This is why you want a solid larger company that can handle temporary reversals without panic. A larger company is much more likely to cover you continuously if you move to a different area or state.

Some concierge doctors now set their own rules, so access to the best of the best can be restricted in some cases.

When it comes down to it, you can pay a lot or a little for extra coverage, but how that insurance treats the doctors you like is more important than what you pay. I was just in my doc's office yesterday and overheard how one company was making him jump through hoops and have an up-to 14 day wait while a procedure he wanted was reviewed as needed or not. With Humana, the only time I ever experienced them kick back was totally appropriate, when he ordered a second stress test within six months of my last one. It was absolutely prudent to do so, and kept my costs down. Obviously, that is apocryphal and YMMV.

The main point is that HMOs can have built in problems from a small cohort of doctors in some specialties, while PPOs allow discounts for in-network but access to out of network without a major hassle.