Medicare Advantage Plans

WHAT ARE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE (MA) PLANS?

• Medicare Advantage plans are health plan options that are approved by Medicare
and run by private companies through a contract with Medicare.

• They are also referred to as “Part C” of Medicare

• Individuals MUST have Part A and Part B of Medicare to join a Medicare Advantage
Plan

• Medicare pays a set amount of money to these private health plans for each
member’s care

• Medicare Advantage may offer additional benefits to members that Medicare doesn’t cover such as discounts for vision and dental services.  These benefits may be provided for additional monthly premium.

• Medicare Advantage plans may have special networks or other rules that members  must follow.

TO BE ELIGIBLE , A PERSON MUST:

• Live in the plan’s geographic service area
• Be entitled to Medicare Part A and enrolled in Part B

TO JOIN A PERSON MUST:

• Follow the plan’s rules
• Belong to only one Medicare Advantage plan at a time

A WORD OF CAUTION:   IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING MOVING FROM A TRADITIONAL MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT TO A MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN BE SURE YOU KNOW IF YOUR DOCTOR PARTICIPATES. 

MOST MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS REQUIRE YOUR DOCTOR TO AGREE TO ACCEPT THE PLAN.  TYPICAL STANDARD SUPPLEMENTS ARE ACCEPTED BY ALL DOCTORS WHO SERVE  MEDICARE PATIENTS, AND ARE NOT LIMITED TO SPECIFIC COVERAGE AREAS.  THIS CAN BE IMPORTANT IF YOU TRAVEL