Advantage/Disadvantage using Medicare Advantage Plan traveling

[wagonmaster2]

Is anyone using any of the Medicare Advantage Plans, and are there any advantages on these plans?

Since we are currently using Humana Wal Mart prescription plan we have no trouble getting prescriptions filled at Wal Marts while on the road.

Wondering how the Advantage Plans might be working.

[momdoc]

We use a supplemental plan and see Doctors anywhere in the country with no problems. NOt tied to one are.

[momdoc]

Got kicked off sorry
Wanted to say with our supplemental plan we are not tied to a "home state" and home doctor or restricted to doctors we can see.

[AudiDudi]

We have friends in AZ that have a plan through Kaiser. They have to return to CA for medical care. Our Plan G supplement lets us use any doctor that accepts Medicare. Not being tied to any one provider, while costing more a lot of the time, is a benefit/cost we accept.

[twogypsies]

We've always used a supplement rather than advantage during our full-timing years.... and now. Never a problem.

BTW... did you finally get on the prescription plans? You were having problems.

[FatChance]

I have been with United Healthcare supplement "N" plan and a United Walgreens "D" drug plan since day one four years ago. United Healthcare is now offering a PPO Advantage Walgreens plan based in Northern Arizona that sounds like it has pretty good national coverage. Considering I am healthy and have no doctor or prescriptions, I can try it for a year and can go back to my original plans if I don't like it. Sounds like a pretty good alternative that would save me about $1500/year and worth a try. Thoughts?

[Gary RVRoamer]

The extra value of a Medicare Advantage plan depends on what plan you select. They all provide a basic level of coverage, mandated by Medicare to be at least what vanilla Medicare covers, but most Medicare Part C "Advantage" plans offer more benefits and coverages. Just what they are depends on the particular plan. Further, whether they are "good for travelers" or not also depends on the type of plan. Some are HMO's and restrict you to certain providers that are part of the HMO, some are PPO's that have a "provider network" that may be vast or limited, and some are wide open and allow you to use any provider that accepts Medicare's fee scale (participates in Medicare).


I use a PPO-type Medicare Advantage plan from Aetna that has a nationwide network of care providers and further allows me to use any facility that accepts Medicare. Some other extra benefits vs vanilla medicare include prescription drug coverage, a dental benefit, no medicare deductible, and several other items. You have to research plans that suit your needs and are available in your home (aka domicile) state.


You can research available plans on medicare.gov (select your own state).

[A32Deuce]

I have United Health Advantage and haven't had any trouble is SC or Al.

[wagonmaster2]

Originally Posted by twogypsies

We've always used a supplement rather than advantage during our full-timing years.... and now. Never a problem.

BTW... did you finally get on the prescription plans? You were having problems.

First problem, I had never logged in with ID and Password. Never had to in the past. Did this now but kept getting message "cannot log on now, please try later". Finally gave up on Wife's account, went to mine and everything worked as explained on the Forum. Going to try the wife's again this evening.
Appreciate all the help, I was at my wits end.

Have always used Medicare, United Healthcare supplement, and Humana Wal Mart Part D Rx. Thinking about looking at an Advantage Plan but hate the thought of all the research changing programs will take. I have enough trouble with just the Part D plans.

[AudiDudi]

Originally Posted by wagonmaster2

<snip>

Have always used Medicare, United Healthcare supplement, and Humana Wal Mart Part D Rx. Thinking about looking at an Advantage Plan but hate the thought of all the research changing programs will take. I have enough trouble with just the Part D plans.

Our Humana Walmart plan premiums would jump from $25.60 to ~$53.00. Some drugs cheaper and some more expensive.

I found two plans, one for me and one for DW that based on our drugs will save over $1500/yr. I thought it was pretty easy to plug in the drugs and see what plans where the best for us. My premims will be $13.80 with $0 cost for drugs and hers under $25/mo. It pays to shop around

[Gary RVRoamer]

My Aetna Medicare Advantage PPO has been accepted without hesitation in Florida, Virginia, North Carolina and Maine.