My 72 year old husband has back issues (Spondylolysis), mildly high BP, and was in the hospital for 48 hours last January for a pulmonary embolism and put on a blood thinner. Currently he's on Original Medicare + United Healthcare Supplement N + Part D. The supplement goes up and up every year. However, the hospital stay and tests totaled over $15,000 and we paid ZERO. :-)
I've heard some real horror stories about Advantage Plans. We were thinking of switching to Aetna PPO (in Delaware) as all his doctors, meds, and hospital in in network and the premium is minimal. Good or bad idea? (Also, I will be going on Medicare in September 2020 so I'm looking ahead at my choices.)
THANKS!
Just to clarify, did you mean an HMO instead of a PPO?
Trying to understand. I am so confused.
Is the PPO where one can choose their own doctor?
https://www.agingcare.com/questions/denied-rehab-stay-by-medicare-advantage-insurance-post-hip-replacement-surgery-have-this-experience-453524.htm
Personally, I have never liked Medicare Advantages. Even though Medicare may allow a Dr., MA may not allow that Dr.
I would look at how much the premiums are versus how much your deductibles are and keep in mind that you are free to see any doctor that takes Medicare and you don't need a referral for specialists.
My mom is always complaining about how long it takes to see a doctor, waiting for the PCP, co-pay, then they refer you to a specialist that she waits to see and another co-pay, then waiting for tests, and another co-pay and it continues with every little thing.
I think that you can have an insurance broker run the numbers for you so you can see how much you would be saving.
My dad gets mad about his monthly premiums, but he is getting regular healthcare and he is able to live a fuller life because of that, he knows how much he will be paying monthly and he doesn't worry about surprises from medical bills.
He can also travel and always have coverage, Advantage plans do not cover travel unless it is an emergency and then it is a fight for every penny paid.
Will you come back and let us know what you found out?
Others that have said that your husband might have to go through underwriting to go back to a supplemental are correct, he will have to go through underwriting and then you are not guaranteed to be covered.
You could always check out new supplemental plans, that is where a broker is handy.