I have Medicare and a supplemental plan like many do I suppose, The Insurance agent that I got the last supplemental through has called me and wants me to change to a PPO which is one of the Medicare advantage ones. He says I would save money and goodness knows I would go for that it keeps going up each year and social security is not going up as much as the increases or mine isn't . I told him I would have to check with my different doctors to see if they accepted it. Now I know that Medicare has certain codes they go by and that's what they pay and the supplemental pays 20 %, Is anyone familiar with how much less might be paid to a doctor? or would it be less, I know there are some things I would have to pay. I also have been told you cannot get regular supplemental's if you have copd , I do not want to mess up. I see they are really pushing these PPO's right now , the ins agent says that's what he has. Any answers would be appreciated.
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I just googled hmo vs ppo and there's a lot of information out there. I think one of the big differences besides cost is in-network providers only vs out of network providers also; it seems to depend on your particular needs.
I have a "regular" supplemental, also known as Medigap. You cannot have a supplemental if you are in a M''care Advantage Plan. The so-called Medicare Advantage is nothing more than an HMO. I do not know what a PPO is, but I don't trust anything but regular Medicare with a supplemental (Medigap) policy with a well known company. Given that we have a chronic condition, we never know what else could come along, such as heart issues. I don't want to give up my freedom-of-choice for docs and hosptials and I am willingly paying for it.
Try contacting Jean Rommes @ jmrommes@gmail.com ... She advocates for all copd patients, she may know what to do.