Medicare Advantage plans are required to incorporate all of Original Medicare’s benefits. Many, but not all, include additional coverage options such as vision, dental and hearing. Some also incorporate fitness and wellness components.These plans normally...

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP) is from January 1 to March 31 each year. During this time, you can switch from your Medicare Advantage Plan (excluding Medical Savings Accounts, cost plans, and PACE) to another Medicare Advantage Plan...

Once you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan during the Medicare Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), you may only change during certain times of the year, including the Annual Enrollment Period Oct. 15 through Dec. 7 of each year.During the January 1 –...

To enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you must be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. You can typically enroll in Medicare Advantage during the following periods:Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): Once you have enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B (see When...

People with Medicare can get their health coverage through either Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage (MA) Plan (also known as a Medicare private health plan or Medicare Part C). Original Medicare is the traditional fee-for-services program offered directly...

If you have Original Medicare, you can see any provider who accepts Medicare payment. Once you have met your deductible, your Part B costs can vary depending on the type of provider you see. There are three kinds of agreements that Part B providers can have with...

It is important to understand your Medicare coverage choices and to pick your coverage carefully. How you choose to get your benefits and who you can get them from can affect your out-of-pocket costs and where you can get your care. Some of the important factors to...

In Original Medicare, you will be charged for standardized Part A and Part B costs. In 2020, these costs include: Part A premium: The Part A premium may be different depending on your work history. If you or your spouse has worked more than 10 years, you will...

A supplemental benefit is an item or service covered by a Medicare Advantage Plan that is not covered by Original Medicare. These items or services do not need to be provided by Medicare providers or at Medicare-certified facilities. Instead, to receive...

Beginning in 2020, Medicare Advantage Plans can begin covering supplemental benefits that are not primarily health-related for beneficiaries who have chronic illnesses. These benefits can address social determinants of health for people with chronic...

Routine eye care services, such as regular eye exams, are excluded from Medicare coverage. However, Medicare does cover certain eye care services if you have a chronic eye condition, such as cataracts or glaucoma. Medicare covers: Surgical procedures to...

Medicare does not cover dental services that you need primarily for the health of your teeth, including but not limited to: Routine checkups. Cleanings. Fillings. Dentures (complete or partial/bridge). Tooth extractions (having your teeth pulled) in most...

Before signing up for a Medicare Advantage Plan that includes supplemental benefits or before receiving services that are covered by these benefits, ask the following questions to better understand the available coverage: Is this definitely a supplemental...

In some cases, there may be no Medicare Advantage Plan in your area that covers the supplemental benefits that you need, or you might find that Original Medicare offers better coverage of services that are important to you. You may still be able to access...