Medicare Advantage is one of the Medicare parts that are offered by private insurers. It is also known as Medicare Part C and covers the same healthcare expenses that Medicare Part A and Part B cover. Medicare Advantage plans also include extra benefits that Original Medicare does not cover, such as prescription drug coverage, routine dental, vision, hearing, and more.
To enroll in Part C, you must be enrolled in Original Medicare, and while this part of Medicare is great on its own for some, others choose to enroll in Medicare Advantage. Why is that? Well, there are certain factors that may make Medicare Advantage a more attractive option. In this guide, we’ll explain why.
Extra Coverage
One of the benefits of Medicare Advantage is that it bundles your healthcare coverage into one plan. Medicare Advantage plans cover the same medical expenses as Part A and B. These plans, as mentioned previously, also offer more benefits. Besides the ones listed above, the other benefits that can be covered include:
- Fitness memberships
- Adult day-care services
- Nutrition programs
- Transportation to doctor visits
Many of the plans also include in-network providers. This means you can receive all your healthcare with a healthcare provider that contracts with your plan and by going to this provider, you will ultimately be paying less than if you were to use a healthcare provider or facility that’s outside of your plan’s network.
Premiums
Also, enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan can help to save costs in some cases. There are some Medicare Advantage plans with low premium rates and out-of-pocket limits. For example, some have $0 premiums, leaving you to only have to worry about covering a premium for Part B, as Part A is usually also free for many. Some Advantage plans also help to cover part of your Part B premium.
How to Enroll
If you are interested in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can enroll during the Annual Enrollment Period, which starts on October 15 and ends on December 7 every year. You can use this period to review all your options and make comparisons with costs and coverage. It is important to note that you cannot sign up for Part C if you are enrolled in Medigap.
Medicare Advantage plans can be good options for some when looking to get additional coverage, but these plans aren’t for everyone. To learn more about Medicare Advantage plans and which one may be right for you, give us a call today at (316) 260-3331 for a free consultation!