We have been using Health Partners Freedom Vital, which is a Medicare Advantage program, and have been very satisfied with it.
The Freedom programs are basically HMO style health plans with very good coverage in-network and limited coverage out of network. This really isn't that limiting, since their network includes both the former Group Health network and the entire Park Nicollet network and possibly other major clinics as well. We've been using Park Nicollet for years and they have always provided every service that we need. I think Methodist Hospital is an excellent hospital and the people who work there seem to like and respect each other.
The MNSURE plans will be different from the Medicare plans, but they probably offer an option similar to this one. I found them easy and pleasant to deal with during the signing up process, and they have been no trouble at all in terms of coverage. Both Richard and I have had several pricey procedures this year, and none of them required prior approval. There have been a few co-pays and surprise bills for random stuff that for some reason wasn't quite covered, but nothing egregious compared to the costs of the procedures.
There is probably an online way to check the formulary of the plans you are considering to make sure that your specific meds are covered.
I had no idea that one could get primary care from HCMC. Are they part of a larger system, or do they operate standalone?
We've been using ParkNic for years, but of course there was a mildly painful paperwork transition to get onto Medicare. Every ParkNic clinic has at least one insurance consultant on site to answer questions and help with the paperwork. I chatted with the one at our clinic and he volunteered that the HP Freedom plans had been especially easy to work with (from his point of view) and had excellent coverage. You might check to see if there is an insurance consultant at your primary clinic and see if they have any wisdom to impart.
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Date: 2016-12-14 11:44 pm (UTC)The Freedom programs are basically HMO style health plans with very good coverage in-network and limited coverage out of network. This really isn't that limiting, since their network includes both the former Group Health network and the entire Park Nicollet network and possibly other major clinics as well. We've been using Park Nicollet for years and they have always provided every service that we need. I think Methodist Hospital is an excellent hospital and the people who work there seem to like and respect each other.
The MNSURE plans will be different from the Medicare plans, but they probably offer an option similar to this one. I found them easy and pleasant to deal with during the signing up process, and they have been no trouble at all in terms of coverage. Both Richard and I have had several pricey procedures this year, and none of them required prior approval. There have been a few co-pays and surprise bills for random stuff that for some reason wasn't quite covered, but nothing egregious compared to the costs of the procedures.
There is probably an online way to check the formulary of the plans you are considering to make sure that your specific meds are covered.
I had no idea that one could get primary care from HCMC. Are they part of a larger system, or do they operate standalone?
We've been using ParkNic for years, but of course there was a mildly painful paperwork transition to get onto Medicare. Every ParkNic clinic has at least one insurance consultant on site to answer questions and help with the paperwork. I chatted with the one at our clinic and he volunteered that the HP Freedom plans had been especially easy to work with (from his point of view) and had excellent coverage. You might check to see if there is an insurance consultant at your primary clinic and see if they have any wisdom to impart.