Medicare Advantage

Medicare has evolved into various subtypes and one of which is the popular health plan called Medicare Advantage. These plans are sold by a number of private health insurance companies across the United States. Its primary aim is to provide seniors with a much greater coverage that encompasses more than what the basic Medicare can offer. What benefits can I get out of it? Will I be paying a lot for it? These are just some of the questions we will answer for you in the next part of the article.

Medicare Advantage plans came into being with the thought of giving seniors enhanced health cover and at the same time being easy on the pockets of many. Our very own site is a free and easy tool that you can use to search for different Medicare Advantage quotes being offered by various insurance companies relevant to your area of residence.

Rest assured, all the quotes you source out through our site does not put you in any obligation to commit to them. These are just for your reference and you have the liberty to pick which one you prefer in terms of rate, offer and choice of insurer. All the different health insurance providers will provide you with rates of varying amounts so you will have to see for yourself through comparison which one suits the budget better. Such freedom is given to these companies although the main designer of the Medicare Advantage plans is the Medicare itself. Medicare sets the standard for these Advantage plans while giving the private insurers the choice to sell them at their own rate.

With the use of our site, we guarantee that everything you see are all up to date in terms of rates. If you have not fully decided yet which plan to go for, simply come back to the site whenever you want to check the more recent rates before enrolling as rates can change periodically. The health insurers may decide to put a raise in their rates or possibly reduce their rates in response to on-going competition.

Every year, more and more seniors are realizing the benefits of these Medicare Advantage plans. They are wanting extended benefits but still being affordable, and they find these criteria in a Medicare Advantage plan.

Medicare Advantage plans offer coverage that supersedes the cover offered by the Original Medicare while extending that benefit at the same time. What makes it tick among seniors is that it puts greater emphasis on essential and commonly encountered health expenses. It is a very sensible and economical plan for seniors. The Medicare Advantage plans are able to provide cover for almost everything included in Medicare Part A costs. This specifically refer to nursing care costs, hospital stay and at-home health care expenses. Do know that hospice care services will not be part of the Advantage’s plan cover. You shall need basic medical plan for an Advantage plan to operate. With that, the basic Advantage plan can shoulder some of the hospice related fees for you.

All Part B expenses are also covered by the Advantage plans which as you may know are typically part of the Original Medicare plan. This encompasses laboratory tests, shots, doctor’s fees, mental healthcare management, substance abuse counselling, physical therapy costs and many more.

Now that we have distinguished the common coverage involve in the basic Medicare and in a Medicare Advantage plan, we will now talk about how far enough these Advantage plans can extend. These plans can reach as far as covering you for any emergency health services such as trip to the emergency room, ambulance transport as well as resuscitation or lifesaving management. Anything that is considered urgent health wise is covered, may it be medications, medical tests or surgical intervention.

Everything that we have mentioned so far outlines all the benefits you can get from a basic Advantage plan. Regardless of the insurer you choose or rate you are paying, the same inclusions are found in a standard Advantage plan. If you are aiming for more covering than this, there are also other options for you.

Medicare Part D, which refers to drug coverage, is the most usual type of add on coverage that can go with a Medicare Advantage plan. This is highly useful for seniors as they try to keep their health in good balance through medications. Being a powerful prescription medication plan, it can cover you for either branded or generic type of medications. As you know, some drugs are medically required to take regularly, and some other medications can come with very high prices to maintain. This plan significantly reduces your out of pocket fees in relation to medication use with some having drug expenses to just as low as $1 per prescription.

Another possible add on to your Advantage plan is the checkup coverage. This can cover your simple routine checks to the doctor, optometrist, dentist and audiologist throughout the covered term. Advantage plans held by different insurers also vary in the extent of cover they provide in relation to checkups. Some will allow several visits annually for each of the above-mentioned health professionals, while some only limit you for one visit per year. This is one consideration that you should not miss out when opting for a checkup coverage. Also, if you use prescription eyeglasses and hearing aids, you are in luck as this particular plan also covers it.

Insurance providers who offer Medicare Advantage operate in a network type of system. This means that they have a certain circle of affiliates may it be doctors, clinics, hospitals or drugstores that are involve in the services they cover. Even though they have a massive network available, it can also be limited in a way. You can get full coverage if you get the covered services within its network, otherwise you get only partial cover, or you may even be left totally uncovered depending on your plan’s terms. It is of extreme importance that you are aware of a plan’s limitation before signing up. Are the health facilities near your area a part of the insurer’s network? It would be great if it is. If not, you might have to look for another plan that will work around that scenario.

Recent data shows that when seniors access an Advantage plan, they are more inclined to pick the basic network route of the HMO plan. You will enjoy full coverage on all medical benefits of the plan while on the insurer’s network. The moment you go outside of this network while being under an HMO plan, you are not to receive any form of coverage at all. If you do, all expenses will be taken cared by you personally. If this happened due to a medical emergency and you were left with no choice but to attend a non-affiliate hospital, you would be given partial cover.

PPO plans is another option you can look at if you wish to have access to services within and outside the network as well. This entails more flexibility for you and less limitation. PPO Advantage plan is able to provide coverage for all the usual Medicare Advantage basic benefits. If it is within the network, you get full coverage. If it is outside the network, you only get partial coverage. At times you may need to pay small amounts personally if you go off network for certain treatments but not the full expense. These PPO plans are more suitable for those living far from any network facility or those who travel a lot as it makes more sense for their situation.

If you are wondering if there are any other plans aside from HMO and PPO, there is this plan called POS. This is offered by some private health insurance groups and allows for full coverage within the network and some discounts for health services accessed off network. The Special Needs plan is also in the market for those with special needs. A certain eligibility criterion has to be met in order for you to receive massive reduction in rates and broader coverage.

There are numerous private health insurance companies selling Medicare Advantage plans. Their rates can vary, and some offer cheaper rates than others. To be attractive to potential clients, they boost their plans with excellent customer service and unique perks that will be of great benefit for seniors in particular. We have listed below a few leading insurers offering Medicare Advantage plans.

Humana- They place great emphasis in senior care and offer numerous healthy living measures such as proper diet and exercise routines and gym access among others. They keep their rates competitive and has a good lineup of plans you might want to check out.

Mutual of Omaha- One look at them and you will know that their biggest asset is their affordable price listings intertwined with their reputable name in the industry. Looking at a group’s performance and stability can help you make a proper decision when looking for a plan.

AARP/United Healthcare- This groups is well known for its extensive network of affiliates allowing for fuller coverage in a wider area across the United States. They also offer perks such as gym access, free phone health counselling as well as prescription drop off to your homes with no added costs. These additional services are truly of great relevance to senior care.

Cigna- Cigna has its name known for international insurance coverage. It goes beyond the United States. This entails being able to access a wide network of facilities within the group. They also offer competitive rates allowing you to save some money in premiums while being under the care of a huge insurance group.

If you are thinking of signing up for a Medicare Advantage plan within the year, it is also imperative for you to know what possible changes can occur the following year. Some private insurers might actually alter their lineup of plans. It is good to have a backup plan if that happens. Having few extra alternatives in line for this year’s Annual Election Period is a smart idea. Planning ahead is to your benefit. Applying for an Advantage plan won’t be possible until you are 65 years old or if you enroll in a disability plan.

You also have the option of applying a bit later on between October 15th until December 7th. If you do enroll within this period, your application might be imposed with higher rates taking into consideration any preexisting health issues.

Just like any other type of insurance plan, Medicare Advantage plans could evolve each passing year. Rates are always variable so chances to go slightly up is imminent due to inflation. If you aim to have more control in your plan, it is good to be always up to date for any changes. Use our site any time to get an idea of any recent rate changes. If you require further assistance regarding Medicare Advantage plans, please contact us anytime. We will provide you with all the relevant information you need to make the right personal choices and save money along the way.