The Ultimate Guide to Medicare Advantage Plans

Medicare plans are a type of Medicare plan that provides its members with additional benefits and services. They are a great option for those who have specific needs or wants within their healthcare coverage. In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know about Medicare plans. If you’re currently enrolled in Original Medicare, or want to do so in the future, these tips will help you understand how these plans work and if they are a good fit for your specific needs.

How Do These Plans Work?

Like with many insurance plans, Medicare plans require you to pay a monthly premium. This is true even if you have paid Medicare taxes throughout your working career or are currently working and paying Medicare taxes. After you’ve paid your premiums and you need to use the coverage, you will use the same method to access your care as with Original Medicare. You will need to visit a doctor or other healthcare provider, pay any applicable charges (like copays or coinsurance), and then file any applicable bills with your insurance company. Remember that Medicare Advantage plans do not cover some costs, like deductibles and co-insurance, which are required for many people to cover costs. You will also be responsible for paying any extra costs that these plans do not cover, like prescription drugs. This can be a good thing if you want to be more judicious about which drugs you take and want to avoid the often aggressive and expensive drug treatment used by many medical providers. If you are concerned about your drug costs, then you should also look into Medicare Part D and other drug coverage options that may be available to you.

When Should You Consider a Medicare Advantage Plan?

There are a number of situations in which a Medicare Advantage plan might make more sense than standard Medicare coverage. One of the clearest situations in which you should consider an Advantage plan is if you have a specific health condition that makes standard Medicare coverage difficult to obtain or maintain. Some examples of such diseases and conditions include:

• Chronic or acute health problems.
• Preexisting and ongoing health issues that require frequent and costly visits to your healthcare provider.
• Abnormal or irregular blood test or lab test results.
• Mental health disorders.
• Health issues that will require long-term care or assistance.

Final Words: Is a Medicare Advantage Plan Right For You?

To wrap up, Medicare plans are a great option for seniors who have a specific need or want that they cannot get from the standard Medicare program. If you’re interested in exploring this coverage option, you have a few basic options. You can either enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan during the Annual Open Enrollment Period or during the Special Enrollment Period (SEP). You can also choose to enroll whenever you’re in the process of applying for and obtaining Medicare. No matter when you decide to enroll, doing so is straightforward. In fact, you can begin the process online, by visiting a government website.