Are you a senior in the Reno/Tahoe, Nevada area struggling with what to do during Medicare Open Enrollment? Open enrollment can be a stressful time. Navigating the intricacies of original Medicare vs the endless Advantages Plans can be overwhelming. First, let’s explore what Medicare is, and then let’s look at the important differences between original Medicare and Medicare Advantage Plans.
The short answer: You do not have to see a doctor that accepts Medicare or your insurance.
Independent primary care physicians can not only care for you, but they can also refer you to specialists and facilities for diagnostic testing (labs, imaging, etc.).
In Reno, there are very few choices when it comes to healthcare. One of the largest healthcare systems in Northern Nevada is Renown. With the recent news that Renown Healthcare was possibly going to stop accepting Anthem Blue Cross (BCBS) insurance effective August 1st, 2019, many were faced with the possibility that they may “lose” their doctor. This is disheartening and certainly provoked anger and/or anxiety. However, this also sheds light on the deeper issues that exist within the insurance-driven U.S. healthcare system.
Preferred Family Medicine, a primary care provider in Reno, NV, manages things differently than most healthcare clinics and we would like you to know that we understand the frustrations many people experience with today’s healthcare system. With this insight, we are able to eliminate these annoyances from our patients’ experiences. In no particular order, we bring you “The Top 3 Reasons You’re Frustrated With Your Healthcare”:
If you have recently retired from California and settled in the affordable hills of Northern Nevada, then welcome to the Biggest Little City in the World and congratulations. You spent a lifetime working toward this goal, and years or even decades dreaming about the move and planning for the future. You may have even thought about health care and how you were planning to pay for it. What you probably haven’t thought about yet is where to find a reliable primary doctor you can count on.
Navigating one’s healthcare options for the family can be frustrating, to say the least. Costly traditional insurance routes leave one feeling little more than being “covered”, and certainly a little less in the bank account. With direct primary care (DPC), paired with a high-deductible health savings plan, or a health sharing program, the family may receive care without barriers or additional cost. The end result is significant savings. With open enrollment season upon us, consider alternatives to the standard insurance plan offerings.