Whats The Issue On Medicare Advantage Plans.....

[haele]

68. I just signed up for Medicare, but am not retired, so I still have employer insurance.

My mom has Medicare, Tricare, and a Medicare Advantage (MA) HMO. The HMO is through the large primary hospital in her city, so while they may change up her plan on her, it's more like her old employer's medical insurance - only with a smaller network.
She's pretty happy with all three as she doesn't travel and her medical costs tend to seem in the same range as medical costs in the 1980's were. But then again, she also has Tricare that covers her part D.
The decision needs to be made with several considerations in mind:
Do you live in a large Metro area with a range of medical facilities that allows you a wider range of in network service choices? MA might be a decent choice, especially if the insurance is with a large hospital system that specializes in geriatrics, or cancer, or is also a teaching hospital.
If you live in a hospital system desert, Medicare part G supplemental might be a better choice.
Do you travel a lot? Do you have decent retirement, or are you struggling?

If you go with an Advantage plan, you need to keep on it. Medicare is required to put out public announcements as well as sending you letters and emails well in advance when they change their policy. If something is denied, they will inform you immediately.
According to mom, even though her MA plan is with the Hospital, her doctor's office is the one they tell if something is denied or not a available, and she gets official notification through her EOB letter at the end of the month. It depends on the plan.

Good luck. But keep in mind, your friends best option is to check her local health care facilities and find out what they accept before making her choice.

Haele