Medicare Advantage is a privatized Medicare health insurance program separate from Original Medicare. It is an optional way of getting your Medicare Part A and Part B benefits from private insurance companies such as United Healthcare, BCBS, Humana and Aetna. Medicare Advantage plans, also referred to as Medicare Part C, will replace original Medicare Part A & B benefits should you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan.
Most Medicare Advantage plans are a form of "managed care". If you enroll in an Advantage plan, you will get your Part A and B services through the plans network providers. To qualify for a Medicare Advantage plan, you must be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and B and live in the plans service area.
Understanding How Medicare Advantage (Part C) Plans Work
- Medicare Advantage plans have much lower premiums than Medicare Supplement plans. Most service areas have Medicare Advantage HMO plans at $0 and PPO plans from $0 - $30 available.
- Medicare Advantage plans typically provide benefits sucha as Dental, Vision, Hearing, Transporation, and Over-the-Counter credits that are not included with Original Medicare Parts A & B plus a Supplement plan.
- Advantage plans are easy to qualify for, as no one is declined because of pre-existing health conditions.
- A Medicare Advantage plan is not the same as a Medicare Supplement plan. Medicare Advantage plans combine Original Medicare Parts A, B, and usually Part D into a single plan. Medicare Supplement plans are health insurance policies that are secondary to original Medicare designed to pick up your out-of-pocket deductibles, co-pays and coinsurance.
- Medicare Advantage plans are managed care plans, meaning you have no coverage (HMO plans) or higher costs (PPO plans) in you use out-of-network providers other than in an emergency situation.
- You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium if you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan.
- All Medicare Advantage plans have a contract with the federal government. Advantage plans are privately administrated, but you still have the same rights and protections as with Original Medicare.
- Medicare Advantage plans must cover all the services Original Medicare covers and all plans have an maximum annual out-of-pocket limit for covered medical services.
Protect your health and get a Medicare Advantage Plan today.