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Keys to a Successful Doctor's Appointment

Visiting Mayo Clinic | Last Active: May 7 8:46pm | Replies (56)

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@walkinggirl

May I comment on Advantage Plans. My last place of employment offers their retirees an Advantage Plan besides "take the money and get your own." It's a PPO plan, not an HMO plan which seems to make a HUGE difference. When I called my insurance company about going to the Mayo Clinic, I was told that I can go anywhere in the USA where Medicare is used with no referrals needed. My insurer has outstanding+ customer service and worked well with Mayo's billing department.

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Replies to "May I comment on Advantage Plans. My last place of employment offers their retirees an Advantage..."

I would be careful about that. Advantage plans have a poor reputation and are being dropped in many places. With Original Medicare one can self-refer to any doctor in the US that takes Medicare (as in original Medicare). Doctors that take "Medicare Advantage" plans are something else! They are part of the network of the Advantage Plan. And what do you have to pay when you see those doctors? With my Original Medicare and my Medigap/supplemental plan I do not need to check each year to see if my doctors are still in the plan. I have no bills except my premium. And in the last 2.5 years I have really gotten my money's worth and made up for the extra cost in the years before!!!! Not to talk about the stress free time since I had no insurance issues!!!!
Mayo Florida and Arizona do not take Advantage plans, and Mayo Minnesota only certain ones from comments here.......