Medicare Advantage Plans allow people with Medicare to get their Medicare benefits from an additional source. Medicare Advantage Plans are not part of Medicare. They are supplemental insurance programs that are intended to fill the gap left when Medicare does not cover a certain medical condition. Medicare Part A & Part B also provide similar benefits; however, Medicare Advantage Plans are not limited to these two programs.
Medicare Advantage Plans are not regulated by any federal agency. Medicare Part A & Part B provide coverage for inpatient care, outpatient care, physician and medical services, hospitalization, and durable medical equipment and supplies. Medicare Part A coverage is only available to people who are age 18 or older.
Medicare Advantage Plans are available for senior citizens, people with disabilities, and children and may be customized to meet the unique needs of the individual patient. best Medicare supplement plans 2022 pay a percentage of the doctor’s office fees, coinsurance and many other fees related to health care coverage.
There are three types of Medicare Advantage Plans: the HMO, PPO and POS. HMO’s are generally private, fee-for-service health care providers. Medicare Part A covers most health care providers in the HMO network. Medicare Part B covers different providers outside the HMO network. PPO’s are preferred provider organizations (PPO’s) like health maintenance organizations (HMOs) are.
Most Medicare Advantage Plans offer wide coverage for the majority of the services that are covered under Medicare Parts A and B. Some examples of services that are commonly covered in the Medicare Advantage Plans are extended medical benefits for hospital stays, doctor and surgeon services, durable medical equipment, extended hospital stays, and hearing and vision equipment.
There are also some plans that provide coverage for alternative medicine such as chiropractic care, professional liability insurance, physical therapy, and podiatry. Although most of these services are not usually available through the traditional HMO or PPO plans, they can sometimes be found in the discounted care option offered by the Medicare Advantage Plans. These services are not usually covered through traditional Medicare.
One of the challenges of choosing a Medicare Advantage plan is researching the many options available. There are many websites that provide information on medicare advantage plans and the advantages of choosing them over the original Medicare program. The Medicare website offers a searchable glossary of terms and other helpful information.
Another useful resource for evaluating different Medicare Advantage Plans is the Medicare Savings Council, which provides tax and financial information on medicare advantage plans. Various State Boards of Medicine and Health Insurance offer consumer guides that contain information on selecting a Medicare Advantage plan. All of these resources are very helpful for exploring the different options available for choosing a Medicare Advantage Plan.
Several Medicare Advantage Plans are supported by the UnitedHealthcare organization. Plans sold by UnitedHealthcare are standardized across the board and all Medigap policies are guaranteed in terms of quality.
