Thank you Medicare. (Don't read if your health insurance is lacking)

[question everything]

7. Three years ago Medicare decided that our region had too many "cost" plans

(and I am not even sure what this means.)

So many had o switch to Advantage and while doing that reshuffled providers and networks and whatnot.

My primary physician was no longer in the network so I had to switch carrier. In the long run I think that I am better off. Spouse stayed with the same carrier which, as I stated in the op, also owns a vast network of clinics and specialists and, perhaps the hospital.