Medicare Part C
Once a senior turns 65, there are a variety of healthcare coverages available. Medicare part C is also known as Medicare Advantage plans, and one can decide to purchase it from a private insurance company as part of Medicare. It’s important then, to understand how they operate to make an informed decision when signing up for one.
Medicare Part C Is for all Seniors
Medicare part C is specially designed for all seniors who have attained the age of 65 plus any other who has a disability and is approved to use the plan. Once you sign up, you stand to enjoy numerous advantages such as emergency care, urgently needed care, hearing aids, vision aids, among others. With this plan, you are assured that your out of pocket expenses are reduced with a wide margin, and you will enjoy some peace of mind.
There are two main enrollments period every year. The first one is the Initial Enrollment Period, which starts three months before you turn 65 and ends three months after your 65th birthday celebration.
This is the most appropriate time to apply for the plan since you will be automatically approved for any preexisting condition.
The other period is the Annual Enrollment Period that takes place from October 15th and ends on December 7th. If you wait to sign up during this time, you will be subjected to a late enrollment penalty, and one is not assured of approval of any preexisting condition. If approved, then you will need to pay higher as compared to the initial enrollment period.
Apart from being rejected for the plan if you have a preexisting condition, the other limitation that one is exempted from is if you have another coverage that overlaps Medicare Part C.
For instance, if you have Medicare Supplements plan, then you cannot be allowed to sign up for both.
Medicare Advantage 2021
Benefits Offered under Medicare Part C
There are numerous benefits that one can access in this powerful plan, and with minimal out of pocket costs. The only price here is the monthly premiums and some other manageable costs.
The first assurance is that you will be covered for those expenses under Medicare Part A except for hospice benefits and all Part B expenses. Under this coverage, one is covered for inpatient and outpatient expenses, hospital stays, medical tests, nursing care, blood tests, and many others.
Other benefits that you will access with ease are the emergency care and urgently needed care such as surgery and medical tests.
When planning for Medicare part C plans, it’s imperative to consider other additional benefits such as the Medicare Part D drug coverage, which is available in Original Medicare minimally. One can either access the drug prescription plan as part of the Medicare part C or as a separate plan altogether. This is one of the plans that one cannot ignore while planning for the best plan to take for your health needs. For one, the Medicare Part C drug coverage plan will save you generously on costs relating to access to generic drugs and some of the branded medications with as little as $1 per refill. You also get these drugs from reputable pharmacies in your area.
Depending on the level of the coverage you choose, a senior will benefit powerfully from this coverage with covers such as routine checkups, dentist visits, hearing specialists, and also general practitioner checks.
This entire plan may bring confusion to a new senior. However, we are always ready to offer support when required, and, you are free to call us for any clarification.
Medicare Advantage 2021
Where to Buy Medicare Part C Plans
Private insurance companies offer Medicare Part C plan. Before settling on a specific one, there is a need to carry out some checks regarding the company’s reputation, experience, cost, and also their customer service. We have a number of them that we will discuss to help you decide on the best to choose.
Mutual of Omaha is a company with a good reputation for many years, and their customer service is excellent. We cannot shy away from recommending them to any senior. Besides, they offer significant perks that you will keep enjoying so long as you are subscribed to their services.
Blue Cross Blue Shield is another company well known for offering low prices but excellent customer service. Being a nonprofit making organization, they have the senior’s interest at heart and make sure that they get the best form of their comprehensive network coverage services all over the country. However, that has limited perks in comparison to other companies but has the most competitive prices.
We also have Cigna, which is an international company offering services in the United States and any international related expenses. Cigna is a top-rated company well known for comprehensive network coverage, easy processing of claims, and, besides, a great line up of their plans.
Last but not least is the AARP/United Healthcare, which is a company with comprehensive coverage and a great line up in terms of their plans. They also have great members perks that appeal to many seniors and other benefits such as prescription drop off at home, gyms access all over the country, and many other benefits.
Medicare Part C Network Options
While Medicare part C is a great plan for every senior, you need to take note of their network options. It operates under a specific coverage within the network and has a list of doctors who have been approved to take care of the members under this network. These services are offered under HMO options, and one is only allowed to use the network medical providers unless on an emergency.
Otherwise, you will get some that have access when off the network, such as the PPO options, though you pay a higher premium for the same in addition to the out of pocket costs.
There is also the POS plan where the senior is adequately covered for healthcare in and out of network, but in this case, the service providers will give a predetermined cost for the service outside the network. Before attending to such options, you need to call and verify your eligibility, to avoid paying fully from your pocket.
Here is how you can save money on Medicare part C
Before signing up for any plan, you need to keep an eye on the companies offering them and get to know the price of each. This will help you make an informed decision in comparison to where you get one plan and sign up for it immediately. Get a list of quotes and compare each one of them in terms of coverage and the costs. Do not overpay for a plan that you could access somewhere else at a far much lesser price.
Our website has various quotes, mostly from the reputable companies around, and you can have a look at them and compare them. You only need to search using our Zip, and you will get filtered results about where you live since Medicare Part C prices keep changing depending on the residential areas.
Also, feel free to call our experts for advice, and they will guide you in the best way possible as you make the critical healthcare decision. This will also help you to save on costs as many seniors have testified that having Medicare Part C is the best plan they could ever have.
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