When you become eligible for Medicare, you can choose from one of two main ways to get your Medicare coverage. You can opt for Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) or a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C). It is important to weigh the pros and cons of each, taking into consideration your preferences, needs, and budget. Show
What you should knowChoosing your Medicare coverage is an important decision, so it is helpful to plan ahead and explore the options available to you. Consider the providers you prefer, and the medications you take, as well as your own health history and potential need to access healthcare services. Visit Medicare.gov to compare Medicare health plans that are available in your area. You can explore supplemental (Medigap) and drug coverage plans (Part D) that you may decide to purchase if you choose Original Medicare. You can also explore and compare Medicare Advantage plans (Part C), which are an alternative to Original Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans offer the same benefits as Medicare Parts A and B, plus other things that are not covered by Original Medicare such as dental, vision, and hearing benefits. Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies that have been approved by Medicare. You must have Medicare Part A and Part B in order to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. What is the difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage?Primary differences between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage are related to coverage, choice of providers, and costs. You are considered a Medicare beneficiary with the same rights and protections whether you choose Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan. The government administers Original Medicare, and private insurance companies administer Medicare Advantage plans. Original Medicare includes Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). If you have Original Medicare, you can choose to purchase Part D (drug coverage) and/or supplemental coverage (Medigap) to help pay for deductibles and coinsurance related to Parts A and B. A Medicare Advantage Plan bundles Parts A, B, and usually D together and offers other benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t. You cannot have, and do not need, Medigap insurance if you have a Medicare Advantage plan. Original Medicare is a fee-for-service health plan. Most people get premium-free Part A, but if you access your benefits, you pay a deductible. There is always a monthly premium for Part B. If you access Part B benefits, after you pay your annual deductible, Medicare pays its share of the Medicare approved amount, and you pay your share of the costs in the form of coinsurance. Medicare Advantage Plans may or may not have a monthly premium (you will still pay the Part B premium) and vary in their cost sharing requirements. For instance, if you are hospitalized or need to see your physician, you typically pay a copay of a set amount or percentage after you pay an annual deductible. Costs can vary in either case, depending on which type of insurance you choose and how much healthcare you end up needing. Original Medicare Part A has a deductible of $1,484 for in-patient hospitalizations, and daily co-insurance charges that kick in after 60 days;Part B deductible for 2021 is set at $203. There are no out-of-pocket limits with Original Medicare. Medigap and Part D premiums also vary. Medicare Advantage Plans costs vary depending on which type of plan you choose. Original Medicare allows you to utilize any doctor or hospital in the U.S. that accepts Medicare assignment (that is, accepts the Medicare-approved amount as full payment). Medicare Advantage Plans may require you to receive your healthcare services from providers (including a PCP), hospitals, and pharmacies that are in-network and in your service area. Some plans allow for out-of-network providers, but will cost more. Most likely you will need prior approval for services, supplies, and medications with Medicare Advantage Plans. Original Medicare does not generally require referrals.
What are the cons of Original Medicare?
What are the pros of Medicare Advantage?
What are the cons of Medicare Advantage?
Medicare consultant LeRon Moore has guided Medicare beneficiaries and their families as a Medicare professional since 2007. First as a Medicare provider enrollment specialist and now a Medicare account executive, Moore works directly with Medicare beneficiaries to ensure they understand Medicare and Medicare Advantage Plans. Moore holds a bachelor’s degree from Southern New Hampshire University and is A+ Certified with a Medical Records Clerk Certification and Medical Terminology Certification from Midlands Technical College. He’s passionate about educating, informing, and resolving issues concerning Medicare and Medicare Advantage Plans, and considers it imperative that he does all he can to educate and inform the senior community as much as possible about Medicare. Sources
What are the downsides of a Medicare Advantage plan?The biggest disadvantage of Medicare Advantage plans is the closed provider networks, limiting your choice of which doctor or medical facility to use. Medicare Advantage costs are also largely based on how much medical care you need, making it more difficult to budget for health care costs.
What Medicare Advantage plan has the highest rating?Kaiser Permanente's Medicare Advantage plans score above all other major Medicare Advantage providers in terms of Medicare star ratings. Kaiser Permanente earned 844 points out of 1,000 in J.D. Power's 2022 Medicare Advantage Study, netting it the top spot for customer satisfaction out of nine providers measured.
Can you switch from Medicare Advantage to original Medicare?Yes, you can elect to switch to traditional Medicare from your Medicare Advantage plan during the Medicare Open Enrollment period, which runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. Your coverage under traditional Medicare will begin January 1 of the following year.
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