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Medicare Advantage Plans-Aetna vs. Anthem

Does anyone have any thoughts and experience with Aetna Medicare Advantage plans? I currently have an Anthem Medicare Advantage plan that is being cancelled in Lucas County, so I have to find another plan.
Prefer to stick with Medicare Advantage. My experience with Anthem is very good, but my agent has recommended Aetana. Would love to hear from those who have Aetna and what you think about their service, etc. Thanks for all feedback.

created by CatLady on Oct 22, 2012 at 02:42:00 pm     Health     Comments: 7

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Aetna did not have a plan in Lucas County last year, so you won't find anyone who is currently enrolled in the plans. Unless they moved here from another area, and had Aetna at their previous residence.

Picking the plan that is right for you depends a lot upon what your personal needs are. For example, some Medicare Advantage plans have some limited hearing aid benefits. (Not a lot, but more than traditional Medicare pays which is zero.)

Which Anthem plan did you have for 2012? I have already researched all the plans available locally for 2013, and could possibly point out the ones that have similar benefits to the plan you're losing.

posted by mom2 on Oct 22, 2012 at 02:53:43 pm     #  

^^
Ack, this was a time where I wish that I could edit posts. Typing an additional response to clarify the Aetna 2012 information that I mentioned above...hang on...

posted by mom2 on Oct 22, 2012 at 02:58:50 pm     #  

Mom2, I had Anthem Medicare Advantage Preferred Select (PPO). My agent indicated that one advantage of Aetna is that all hospitals are in-network. Do you find that to be
accurate? Thanks, CatLady

posted by CatLady on Oct 22, 2012 at 03:04:46 pm     #  

Yes, that would be correct. All of the local hospitals currently participate with Aetna Medicare.

Are you looking at PPO plans? (Both Aetna and Anthem also have HMO plans being offered in Lucas County next year, but I'm assuming that you are looking to stick with a PPO since you'd be coming from a PPO.)

posted by mom2 on Oct 22, 2012 at 03:10:56 pm     #  

My clarification to the post above regarding Aetna not having a local plan last year should have said that it wasn't a big plan. Aetna's Medicare PPO had over 100,000 enrollees statewide last year, but only a very small proportion of that membership was here in Lucas County. They were much bigger in other parts of the state last year. (Probably due to where they focused their marketing, not because of any issues with plan quality.)

(Note to self - don't type too fast and review words before hitting send. Sorry if my initial response was confusing.)

posted by mom2 on Oct 22, 2012 at 03:16:29 pm     #  

Mom2, my preference is a PPO, but I will consider HMO. The PPO's that I've seen are significantly increasing the max out of pocket. All of our doctors are ProMedica, but I'm also doing research for another family member who has severe COPD. He'd like to us St.Lukes, but they are out-of-network for Anthem Medicare Advantage, so he has to go to Toledo for emergency care and he lives in Waterville.

posted by CatLady on Oct 22, 2012 at 03:18:19 pm     #  

Mom2, I'd prefer a PPO, but will consider an HMO. The max out of pocket is much lower with the HMO plans that I've seen.

posted by CatLady on Oct 22, 2012 at 03:20:11 pm     #  

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