Medicare HMO's in Tucson?? (health insurance, home, school)

[discontented lot owner]

I am considering moving to Tucson, but health insurance is a big concern, are there many HMO's that are Medicare imbursed? How is the health care system in general?

[Mudd]

Not certain on the Medicare thing, but there are some decent hospitals here. My wife gave birth a few weeks ago at Northwest Medical center, and we have nothing but good things to say about it. Tucson Med Center is huge, but it's a pain to park and I wasn't enthralled with their care. University Med Center is supposed to be top-notch as well, and it's a nation leader in many areas, like leukemia and cancer treatment. I'd give the health care system here a thumbs up.

[discontented lot owner]

Thank you for your response mudd. Its comforting to know that Tucson has great healthcare. At our time of life we are concerned about HMOS that are tied to medicare. Where as in Florida the benefits can change from county to county-the further north you go the worse the benefits get. Just wondering how the HMO plans are in Tucson

[ChrtnsMom]

Well...all I can say is it needs a lot of work, actually the entire healthcare system in Tucson is the WORST.

I have never hear of a Dr keeping banking hours....no weekends no late nights or turning away a sick patient. This is NOT something that ever would have happened in NY...NEVER was my son turned away from his pediatrician office...and if he was sick, real sick on a Sunday the DR would meet us at his office.

A few weeks ago I called my son's new pediatrician office, he came home from school with a fever. They told me the Dr on duty doesn't see new patients so I would have to take him to Urgent care....HELLO.....I have never been turned down for an office visit before...what kind of Dr, who takes an oath to heal a sick person, a sick child, could turn them away and sleep at night?

I then went and made an appointment for myself...to establish myself with a Dr here. She gave me 15 minutes and walked out of the room while I was still talking to me, telling me she doesn't see new patients before 2 pm and it was 1:45 WHY WAS I THERE at that time?

So yes, I can say the healthcare system here in Tucson is horrible...this is not something I was expecting when I moved here.

[discontented lot owner]

Originally Posted by ChrtnsMom

Well...all I can say is it needs a lot of work, actually the entire healthcare system in Tucson is the WORST.

I have never hear of a Dr keeping banking hours....no weekends no late nights or turning away a sick patient. This is NOT something that ever would have happened in NY...NEVER was my son turned away from his pediatrician office...and if he was sick, real sick on a Sunday the DR would meet us at his office.

A few weeks ago I called my son's new pediatrician office, he came home from school with a fever. They told me the Dr on duty doesn't see new patients so I would have to take him to Urgent care....HELLO.....I have never been turned down for an office visit before...what kind of Dr, who takes an oath to heal a sick person, a sick child, could turn them away and sleep at night?

I then went and made an appointment for myself...to establish myself with a Dr here. She gave me 15 minutes and walked out of the room while I was still talking to me, telling me she doesn't see new patients before 2 pm and it was 1:45 WHY WAS I THERE at that time?

So yes, I can say the healthcare system here in Tucson is horrible...this is not something I was expecting when I moved here.

I can understand your anger with your pediatrician I am sure for every city and town in the nation there is ALWAYS a doctor that shouldnt have been a doctor. My main inquiry is about the MEDICARE HMOs in Tucson-are there any good plans??- are there any at all?? Here in Ocala we only have 2 HMO plans and one is already in trouble by not keeping up with their promises. Fortunately I am on the other plan which was started only a year ago and still seems to remain afloat. (I HOPE) In the meantime Chrtnsmom, I think its time to say goodbye to your pediatrician.

[KathyH360]

Hello, I can see that you never got a reply. I also am interested in the Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO's) that are available in the Tucson, AZ area. These are like Group Health in Washington, Kaiser in Oregon, etc. Does anyone know?

[godel99]

Back in the late '90's I had intergroup through Raytheon. They were excellent. I have chronic pain which required 2 medications totalling $800/month, which intergroup paid had no problem paying. I have since lived in Japan and Taiwan, both with national health care, which would pay for neither. I have to take much cheaper and inferior substitutes. There are limitations on both types, dosages and number of medications. Intergroup had no such strictures.

I cannot compare to other states though.

[Dearly]

I just joined so I'm only now looking at posts, so hopefully this is helpful to you.

About 40% of seniors in Tucson are on Medicare Advantage plans and the choices are many. HMO PPO as well as PFFS (private-fee-for-service, with no network). Almost all plans have a $0 premium and include the Part D drug plan - as well as gym membership paid for by the plan. The market is very competitive in Tucson so you have lots of choice.

If you're currently on a Medicare Advantage plan you will need to switch to a local plan when you get to Tucson. I can help you with that if you email me at earlydenise@gmail.com.

[SmokyMtnGal]

From what I hear Tucson Medical Center has made vast improvements in the past year and is continuing to improve.

Is there a strong BCBS community there in Tucson?