Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage plans are required to incorporate all Original Medicare 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 include Part A, Part B and sometimes, Part D. Learn more below.
Medicare Advantage FAQ’s
What is Medicare Advantage?
Medicare Part C is not a separate benefit. Part C is the part of Medicare law that allows private health insurance companies to provide Medicare benefits. These Medicare private health plans, such as HMOs and PPOs, contract with the federal government and are known as...
What is the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period?
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 or Original...
Changing to a 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 – February 14...
When Can I Enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan?
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...
How Does Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage Work?
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...
Do I Have to See Specific Providers When I Have Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage?
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...
When Choosing Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage What Should I Take into Consideration?
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...
How Do the Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage Costs Work?
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...
What is Considered a Supplemental Benefit?
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...
In 2020, What Types of Supplements Benefits do Medicare Plans Cover?
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...
Does Original Medicare Cover Vision Care? If so, What Kind?
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...
Does Original Medicare Cover Dental Care? If so, What Kind?
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...
Are There Specific Questions I Should Ask About Supplemental Benefits?
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...
Are There Additional Ways I can Access Similar Services?
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...
Medicare Advantage and Home Health
All Medicare Advantage Plans must provide at least the same level of home health care coverage as Original Medicare, but they may impose different rules, restrictions, and costs. Depending on your plan, you may need to:Get care from a home health...
