Does anyone have Healthfirst Signature PPO Medicare Advantage?

[jackio]

My brother is 61 and disabled and has been on Medicare for 7 years now. I handle all his medical. He currently has Humana Choice PPO and has been happy with it, but their contract is ending with NY State, and he has to choose a new plan. Humana does have a new plan, but the premiums have gone up and the cost of a new med he is on is very high.

Healthfirst Signature PPO has no extra premium, and the drug costs are over $1500/year less. The co-pays are much less than with the new Humana plan also. It seems like a no-brainer to go with them.

I am familiar with Healthfirst for children, but I don't know anyone who has experience with their Medicare Advantage plans. Any input would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[DrQ]

Did you look on Medicare.gov and put in your brother's zip code and look up the Advantage plans in his area? You can see the "star" rating.

From there you may be able to look at Healthfirst's PPO network to see if their providers meet your brother's needs. Make sure that your brother's existing doctors are in Healthfirst's PPO network and be aware that some PPO providers list doctors in the network that are not accepting new patients.

If your brother has to go out of network for care, there may not be savings.

 

[jackio]

Thanks. His doctors are in network, and I called his primary to make sure they will still be taking it next year.

There is no star rating, with the message not enough data to rate. Several on my students were on Healthfirst Child Health Plus in NY and they were pleased with it, but I haven’t heard anything about their Medicare plan.

 

[GrayFal]

In

Thanks. His doctors are in network, and I called his primary to make sure they will still be taking it next year.

There is no star rating, with the message not enough data to rate. Several on my students were on Healthfirst Child Health Plus in NY and they were pleased with it, but I haven’t heard anything about their Medicare plan.

what are the plans that do have star ratings? I have had both Anthem BC/BS and AARP United health care Medicare supplements and have been happy with both but not the "advantage" plan as I prefer to have more control of my care.
I honestly don't know anyone in our county w advantage but it seems very appropriate for your brother. A family member has it but it is a Medicare/medicaid plan in a different area.

 

[jackio]

In

what are the plans that do have star ratings? I have had both Anthem BC/BS and AARP United health care Medicare supplements and have been happy with both but not the "advantage" plan as I prefer to have more control of my care.
I honestly don't know anyone in our county w advantage but it seems very appropriate for your brother. A family member has it but it is a Medicare/medicaid plan in a different area.

Unfortunately he is not able to purchase a supplement since he’s not 65 yet.

most of the established plans have star ratings, but he's looking to keep his costs down and he’s on one expensive med. He doesn’t have much money , but too much for Medicaid or other plans that help.

 

[DrQ]

Unfortunately he is not able to purchase a supplement since he’s not 65 yet.

most of the established plans have star ratings, but he's looking to keep his costs down and he’s on one expensive med. He doesn’t have much money , but too much for Medicaid or other plans that help.

If he were to purchase a supplement, he would have to pay a monthly premium and get a Plan D for medications. In his situation, an Advantage plan may be the best choice.

 

[GrayFal]

If he were to purchase a supplement, he would have to pay a monthly premium and get a Plan D for medications. In his situation, an Advantage plan may be the best choice.

Agree with Advantage.
I was just saying I have had good experience with Anthem and AARP United health care.
Both of these providers offer Advantage programs.