If you’re approaching age 65 or already enrolled in Original Medicare, you may be considering a Medicare Advantage plan. These plans, also known as “Part C” or MA plans, combine your Part A and Part B coverage and often include additional benefits like prescription drugs. Let’s take a look at the advantages that come with enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan.
A Medicare Advantage plan is offered by private insurance companies and approved by Medicare. It combines Parts A (hospital coverage) and B (medical coverage) into one plan. These plans typically offer extra coverage for services like vision, hearing, dental, health and wellness programs, and more if your state offers them. Additionally, many MA plans include Part D prescription drug coverage as well as coverage for emergency medical care when traveling abroad.
Advantages of an MA Plan
MA plans offer many advantages to those enrolled in Original Medicare. Here are some of the top benefits provided by it:
No Referrals Needed: With an MA plan, you don’t need referrals from your primary care doctor in order to see specialists or get certain tests done. This can save time and hassle when it comes to getting necessary healthcare services.
Low or No Cost Sharing: Most MA plans have lower cost sharing than Original Medicare does – meaning that you may pay less out-of-pocket expenses for things like deductibles, copays, coinsurance, etc., depending on your plan choice. Some MA plans even have no cost sharing at all!
Prescription Drug Coverage Included: Many MA plans include Part D prescription drug coverage so you don’t have to worry about signing up for separate coverage – it will all be included in one convenient package. Plus, some of these plans may also offer reduced copays or no copays for certain medications which can save you money on your prescriptions each month!
Wraparound Benefits: Many MA plans provide “wraparound” benefits which are extra services not included in Original Medicare such as vision care, hearing aids, dental care and more – depending on the particular plan chosen by the beneficiary. This can be especially helpful for those who need additional help managing their health needs but don’t want to purchase supplemental insurance policies separately to cover them.
Premiums: The premium for a Medicare Advantage plan is determined by the plan type, pricing and location of the policyholder. Generally, premiums are lower than those associated with Original Medicare plus supplemental insurance, however they can vary widely among plans.
Deductibles and Copays: Some MA plans come with deductibles and copayments for certain services. Deductibles are the amount of money you have to pay out-of-pocket before your plan starts to cover your expenses, while copays are a set fee you must pay each time you receive a service or fill a prescription.
Conclusion:
Medicare Advantage Plans offer numerous advantages over traditional Original Medicare including no referrals needed for specialists; low or no cost sharing; prescription drug coverage included; and wraparound benefits such as vision care or hearing aids. They also usually provide easy access to medical services via networks of doctors and hospitals that accept the particular plan being chosen by the beneficiary – making it easier than ever to get healthcare when you need it most! Ultimately if you’re looking for more comprehensive coverage options than traditional Original Medicare provides then a Medicare Advantage Plan may be right for you!
