Medicare Advantage plans (maybe known as Part C also) are considered all-in-one that includes the parts of Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) with more benefits than you can get from Medicare by itself. Most also include Part D prescription drug coverage and may offer additional dental, vision, hearing, and fitness benefits. These often come with no additional premium cost.
Medicare Advantage plans operate within service areas known as defined geographic areas. To become a plan member, you must live in a plan’s service area, and a plan’s coverage and costs can vary by plan and location.
All Medicare Advantage Plans provide:
The benefits that Part A provide (coverage for hospice may be covered, but if not, it will still be provided by Part A ) *
- The benefits of Part B
Most All Advantage Plans Cover:
- Prescription drugs
Additionally, Plans Can Provide:
- Dental cleanings, exams, X-rays
- Eye exams, eyeglasses, plus corrective lenses
- Hearing exams and hearing aids
- fitness memberships and Wellness programs
- Other extra benefits such as transportation to medical appointments and virtual provider visits*Hospice care will be paid by part A even if you have a Medicare Advantage plan.
Important things to note about Medicare Advantage plans
- Some plans will have provider networks; some will not.
- Out-of-pocket cost limitations can vary by plan.
- Plan premiums can vary by plan, with different ones offered to fit different budgets.
View Medicare Advantage plans in your area
Why Medicare Advantage Plans Are Bad
You probably see or have seen dozens of ads for a $0 premium Advantage plan/plans that propose an all-in-one coverage. It can include prescription drug coverage and vision care, dental, hearing devices and can include a gym membership for free. However, you may have also heard people criticize or complain about these plans. So, why are Medicare Advantage plans considered bad?
First of all, Advantage plans are not necessarily bad in themselves. They are not necessarily a good fit for everybody. Maybe we can help clarify your confusion about how these seemingly ubiquitous plans got a less-than-stellar reputation.
There are many possibilities as to why many people may feel or think Medicare Advantage plans are bad. Many individuals say it’s due to their smaller networks, while others aren’t fans of the annual changes. The answer to this question is based on who you may ask.
If you ask a doctor, they may say they don’t accept Medicare Advantage Plans because the private insurance companies make it a hassle for them to get paid. Ask your neighbor why Medicare Advantage plans are bad, and they may say they were unhappy with how much they had to pay out-of-pocket when using the benefits. If you ask your friend or anyone why they didn’t like Medicare Advantage, they might say it’s because their plan wouldn’t travel with them. However, a very common answer is “because I thought the plan was free.”
This is when you need a tool that can help you determine not only if a Medicare Advantage plan is for you but which plan is best for you. You can compare your present plan and how it compares to other plans available in your market.
Worst Medicare Advantage Plans
The difference between the best Medicare Advantage plan and the worst can be minor. So, each component of the plan is important overall and fits your situation. For example, the part d plan, if it is included, can vary greatly depending on the medications you take. Other benefits such as Vision, Dental, OTC can also vary greatly. The best way to find the best plan for you is not difficult.
First, find an independent insurance broker such as Woody’s Insurance call any time 606-224-2406.
Second, have access to a tool to compare various plans in your area, including Supplements and Part D Plans.
Third, get a quote of the plans side-by-side to compare and even enroll yourself if you choose. Of course, licensed insurance agents are available to answer your questions and help you choose if needed.
CLICK this link…
https://www.sunfirematrix.com/app/consumer/yourmedicare/3714601/#/
Pros And Cons Of Medicare Advantage Plans Vs. Original Medicare
In many ways, Medicare Advantage is very similar to Original Medicare. Both give you the same set of Medicare Part A and Part B benefits. However, Hospice benefits directly come from Medicare Part A, even though you have an Advantage plan.
Since (Part A and Part B) Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage give you mainly the same set of benefits, why would you choose one way of getting coverage over the other? We will look at the pros and cons of Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage Plans.
Medicare Advantage: A Short Overview
The Medicare Advantage program (Part C) provides an additional way to obtain your coverage for Medicare Part A and Part B. Private insurance companies Medicare approves provide (MA)Medicare Advantage plans.
Most Medicare Advantage plans have prescription drug plans. Some Advantage plans offer even more benefits, such as routine hearing or dental care.
To be eligible for A Medicare Advantage Plan, You have to have Medicare Part A and Part B. Live in the plan’s service area. And one other thing: you must continue to pay the Medicare Part B premium, in addition to the plan premium if it has a premium.
Original Medicare: A Quick Overview
The government health insurance program, started in 1965, is noted as Original Medicare. It consists of:
- Part A is hospital insurance and generally covers skilled nursing facilities and sometimes nursing homes.
- Part B is medical type insurance and generally provides doctor visits, preventive care, labs, durable medical equipment, and more.
- Part A and Part B have coinsurance, deductible amounts, and/or copayments for most services.
Suppose you’re automatically enrolled in Medicare, as many people are. In that case, you’re usually enrolled in Part A and Part B. If you’re already getting Social Security benefits when you turn 65 or qualify by disability, you’re usually enrolled automatically.
You can begin finding Medicare Advantage plans where you live? You can enter your ZIP code in the box on this page and click the Browse Plans button.
Want to start looking at Medicare Advantage plans where you live? You can enter your ZIP code in the box on this page and click the Browse Plans button.
https://www.sunfirematrix.com/app/consumer/yourmedicare/3714601/#/
What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Medicare Advantage Plans?
Medicare Advanta
ge Advantages
- Medicare Advantage Plans very often provide other benefits.
- Even though MA plans offer the same benefits as Original Medicare, they often add some benefits such as hearing, vision, prescription drugs, and sometimes things such as acupuncture.
- Medicare Advantage may have a $0 premium.
- Even though these plans may still require you to pay for your Part B deductible, you can often get a zero-premium plan, which means you will not have to pay anything for the benefits stated above.
- Some Medicare Advantage Plans have a maximum out-of-pocket limit of as great as $7,500
If you spend that amount out of pocket, you will not have to pay anything else for covered medical services for the remainder of the year. Your expenses can potentially be much higher with Original Medicare since it does not offer this maximum.
- Medicare Advantage offers coordinated medical care. Every provider you visit should communicate with each other to provide adequate medical care. Medicare Advantage plans provide a structure in which coordination is paramount.
Medicare Advantage Disadvantages
- Medicare Advantage has smaller networks.
- If you use Original Medicare, you get nationwide coverage and go to any doctor or facility that will accept Medicare.
- Medicare Advantage plans are somewhat more restricted and usually work with regional networks, meaning that if you go out of network, you may not be covered, or the amount of pay will not be taken into account for your annual cap.
- Check your plan’s provider directory to determine if the hospital’s facilities or Dr’s are in-network.
- Medicare Advantage might need referrals. It is common to need a Doctor’s referral to see a specialist or undergo specific procedures, depending on which plan you choose, especially if the plan is an HMO.
- MA plans aren’t standardized.
Unlike Medigap or sometimes referred to as a Supplement, MA plans are not all the same regarding their coverage. As stated above, some plans may offer more benefits than others, finding the best one in your area may be challenging.
- Medicare Advantage Plans can change benefits each year.
Every September of each year, you should check the Annual Notice of Change that your plan sends you. Changes in premium, network, deductibles, copays, and coinsurance are not uncommon. The good news is that if you do not like your plan’s coverage anymore, or you feel that you could get a better one, you can switch your Medicare Advantage plan during Open Enrollment.
List Of Medicare Advantage Plans
A Medicare Advantage Plan is sometimes another way to get your Medicare Part A and Part B coverage. Medicare Advantage Plans, sometimes called “Part C” or “MA Plans,” are offered by Medicare-approved private companies that must follow the rules set out by Medicare. Most of the Medicare Advantage Plans include drug plans (Part D). In most cases, you may need to use health care providers that are in the network of the plan. Plans sometimes set a limit on what you’ll have to pay out-of-pocket each year for covered services. Some may offer non-emergency coverage out of the network but typically higher costs. Remember to use your Medicare Advantage Plan card to get your Medicare-covered services not your original Medicare Card. However, be sure to keep your red, white, and blue Medicare card in a safe place because you’ll need it if you ever switch back to Original Medicare.
Below are the most common types of Medicare Advantage Plans.
- Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Plans
- Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Plans
- Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) Plans
- Special Needs Plans (SNPs)
Medicare Advantage Plans Florida
Forty-three of Florida Medicare beneficiaries selected private Medicare Advantage plans in 2018. Nationwide, the average was Thirty-four percent, so Medicare Advantage is more prevalent in Florida than it is across the country or nationwide. Most all of the remaining 52 percent of the state’s Medicare recipients opted for insurance coverage under Original Medicare. Still, some Florida Medicare beneficiaries have Medicare cost plan coverage.
By late 2020, total enrollment in private Medicare plans (mostly Medicare Advantage plans and some Medicare cost plans) accounted for Forty-nine percent of all residents with Medicare in Florida. This is in keeping with the general nationwide trend towards Medicare Advantage enrollment.
Medicare Advantage service areas are defined/available on a county-by-county basis, and the number of plans available in a given county can vary significantly across a single state. In Florida, residents in some counties can choose from more than 90 different Medicare Advantage plans in 2021, while residents of other counties only have fewer than twenty options.
Kentucky and Florida spotlight the diversity there can be from state to state and county to county within the state.
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