LEARN MORE ABOUT
MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS
This article originally appeared on healthsaf.com
Medicare Advantage Plans are a type of insurance plan offered through the Medicare program. MAPs are similar to traditional Medicare plans. But they have some unique features that make them especially useful for people who want or need extra coverage.
Medicare Advantage Plans, typically referred to as Medicare Part C are a combination of Medicare Part A, Part B, and Part D. They combine hospital coverage, physician services, and prescription drug coverage. But what are Medicare Part C plans all about? Keep reading to find out.
What are Medicare Advantage Plans?
Advantage plans entail PPO plans, PFFS plans, HMO plans, and SNP plans. Special Needs Plans were created for consumers with chronic conditions and unique health needs. Generally, MAPs are offered by private insurers and provide benefits similar to traditional Medicare.
What You Get With a MAP
Medicare Advantage Plans offer three main benefits: better coverage, lower out-of-pocket costs, and a wider choice of providers than a standard Medicare plan. Coverage with a MAP is generally better than a regular Medicare plan because it includes several services that standard Medicare plans don’t cover. For example, some MAPs include coverage for routine vision and dental exams and preventative services like flu shots and mammograms. However, monthly payments vary.
Who Can Join a MAP
Anyone eligible for Medicare can sign up for Medicare Advantage Plans. Depending on the benefits that best meet their needs, people eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid may choose either type of plan. If you’re new to Medicare, you can get help choosing a MAP through a “Medicare Advantage Welcome” event in the community. These events allow people to meet with local experts and ask questions about different plans and coverage options. Or you can partner with a licensed insurance agent if you prefer a more private meeting.
How Do MAPs Work?
With a Medicare Advantage Plan, you’re still enrolled in Original Medicare. That means you’ll have all of the same benefits and rights under traditional Medicare, plus some extra benefits that you can’t get with traditional Medicare alone. Your MAP is a plan that provides these benefits to you through a private health insurance company instead of through the federal government. It also covers services not covered by regular Medicare, like dental care, hearing aids, eyeglasses, and gym memberships.
Once you join a MAP, you can choose to get your health care services through a network of doctors and hospitals that you’ve selected ahead of time, or you can go to any doctor or hospital that accepts Original Medicare patients. In most cases, you won’t have to pay extra to see doctors or other health care professionals participating in the MAP’s network.
How Do I Enroll in a MAP?
Before enrolling in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you should learn about the plans available to you and their coverage. You can find a licensed insurance agent through websites like The Big 65 for personalized recommendations based on your health and budget.
Conclusion
Before enrolling in the advanced Medicare Advanced Plans, ensure you research and consult about your options. You can do this by browsing through web resources or contacting an insurance agency that specializes in Medicare.