Medicare Advantage Plans

How Can I Benefit From Medicare Advantage Plans?

To help pay the costs that Traditional Medicare does not cover, you can either enroll in Medicare Supplement Plans or Medicare Advantage Plans (also called Medicare Part C).

Under Medicare Part C, the federal government contracts with private insurance companies to administer Medicare benefits through Medicare Advantage plans. With a Medicare Advantage Plan you generally pay lower co-payments and get additional benefits such as coverage for extra days in the hospital, vision, dental, hearing, and preventing services like annual physicals and coverage for emergency services while traveling or even fitness programs.

Benefits and costs will vary depending upon the Medicare Advantage plan you select. Some Medicare Advantage plans even offer health coverage at no additional cost over your Part B premium.

Am I Eligible For A Medicare Advantage Plan?

You can generally join a Medicare Advantage Plan if you meet these conditions:

• You have Medicare Part A and Part B
• You live in the service area of the plan
• You don’t have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis)

When you get a Medicare Advantage Plan you will have to continue to pay your monthly Medicare Part B premium to Medicare. In addition, you might have to pay a monthly premium to your Medicare Advantage Plan for the extra benefits that they offer.

Can I Cancel Or switch to A Different Medicare Advantage Plan?

In most cases, you are enrolled in a plan for a year. If you are already in a Medicare Advantage Plan and want to switch to a different Medicare Advantage Plan, simply join the plan you choose. You will be dis-enrolled automatically from your old plan when your new plan’s coverage begins.

You can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage Plan only during certain times:

• When you first become eligible for Medicare (the 7 month period that begins 3 months before the month you turn age 65, includes the month you turn age 65, and ends 3 months after the month you turn age 65)
• If you get Medicare due to a disability, you can join during the 3 months before to 3 months after your 25th month of disability. You will have another chance to join 3 months before the month you turn age 65 to 3 months after the month you turn age 65.
• Between November 15–December 31 each year. Your coverage will begin on January 1 of the following year, as long as the plan gets your enrollment request by December 31.
• Between January 1–March 31 of each year. Your coverage will begin the first day of the month after the plan gets your enrollment form.

In certain situations, you may be able to join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage Plan at other times, e.g.

• If you move out of your plan’s service area
• If you have both Medicare and Medicaid
• If you qualify for Extra Help to pay for your prescription drug costs
• If you live in an institution (e.g. nursing home)

More Articles About Medicare Advantage

1. Medicare Advantage Plans
2. Am I Eligible For A Medicare Advantage Plan?
3. What Is New For Medicare Advantage Plans In 2010?
4. Do I Have Medicare Part D Coverage With A Medicare Advantage Plan?
5. Can I Cancel Or switch to A Different Medicare Advantage Plan?
6. Does A Medicare Advantage Plan Work With My Medicare Supplement Plan?
7. What Happens To My Medicare Supplemental Insurance If I Enroll In A Medicare Advantage Plan?
8. What If My Medicare Advantage Plan Is Discontinued In 2010?
9. Can I Enroll In A Medicare Advantage Plan If I have Already Other Health Insurance Coverage?
10. How Much Are Medicare Advantage Plans 2010?
11. How Can I Enroll In A Medicare Advantage Plan?

Tags: cancel, Change, drop, join, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Advantage Plan, Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Advantage Plans 2010, Medicare Part C, Switch

Does A Medicare Advantage Plan Work With My Medicare Supplement Plan?

No, it doesn’t. You have to choose one or the other.

When you enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan, your Medicare Supplement plan will stop to pay. So if you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, you should (although legally you don’t have to) cancel your Medicare Supplement Plan.http://www.medicareadvantagesupplement.info/wp-admin/edit.php

More Articles About Medicare Advantage

1. Medicare Advantage Plans
2. Am I Eligible For A Medicare Advantage Plan?
3. What Is New For Medicare Advantage Plans In 2010?
4. Do I Have Medicare Part D Coverage With A Medicare Advantage Plan?
5. Can I Cancel Or switch to A Different Medicare Advantage Plan?
6. Does A Medicare Advantage Plan Work With My Medicare Supplement Plan?
7. What Happens To My Medicare Supplemental Insurance If I Enroll In A Medicare Advantage Plan?
8. What If My Medicare Advantage Plan Is Discontinued In 2010?
9. Can I Enroll In A Medicare Advantage Plan If I have Already Other Health Insurance Coverage?
10. How Much Are Medicare Advantage Plans 2010?
11. How Can I Enroll In A Medicare Advantage Plan?

Tags: Medicare Advantage, Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Advantage Plans 2010, Medicare Supplement vs. Medicare Advantage, Switch

What Happens To My Medicare Supplemental Insurance If I Enroll In A Medicare Advantage Plan?

Medicare Supplemental Insurance policies don’t work with Medicare Advantage Plans. If you decide to keep your Medigap supplemental policy, you will have to pay your insurance premium, but the Supplemental Insurance won’t pay any deductibles, co-payments, or coinsurance under a Medicare Advantage Plan. So, if you want to join a Medicare Advantage Plan, you may want to drop your Medicare Supplement Plan.

Attention: You might not be able to get the same Medicare Supplemental Insurance policy back, or in some cases, any Medicare Supplemental Insurance, in case you decide to switch back after a while!

More Articles About Medicare Advantage

1. Medicare Advantage Plans
2. Am I Eligible For A Medicare Advantage Plan?
3. What Is New For Medicare Advantage Plans In 2010?
4. Do I Have Medicare Part D Coverage With A Medicare Advantage Plan?
5. Can I Cancel Or switch to A Different Medicare Advantage Plan?
6. Does A Medicare Advantage Plan Work With My Medicare Supplement Plan?
7. What Happens To My Medicare Supplemental Insurance If I Enroll In A Medicare Advantage Plan?
8. What If My Medicare Advantage Plan Is Discontinued In 2010?
9. Can I Enroll In A Medicare Advantage Plan If I have Already Other Health Insurance Coverage?
10. How Much Are Medicare Advantage Plans 2010?
11. How Can I Enroll In A Medicare Advantage Plan?

Tags: cancel, Change, join, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Advantage Plan, Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Advantage Plans 2010, Medicare Part C, Medicare Supplemental Insurance, Switch

What If My Medicare Advantage Plan Is Discontinued In 2010?

If your Medicare Advantage Plan provider decides to stop participating in Medicare in 2010, you will either have to join another Medicare plan (Advantage or Supplemental) or return to Original Medicare.

Your insurance company will send you a letter about your options. Generally, you will automatically return to original Medicare if you don’t choose to join another Medicare Advantage Plan. You will also have the right to buy certain Medigap policies, but you might not be able to get the same Medigap policy back you had before joining the Advantage Plan.

If you decide to return to Original Medicare and you want drug coverage, you will need to join a Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan.

If your Medicare Advantage plan was discontinued, there may be other Medicare plans and Prescription Drug plans available to you.

More Articles About Medicare Advantage

1. Medicare Advantage Plans
2. Am I Eligible For A Medicare Advantage Plan?
3. What Is New For Medicare Advantage Plans In 2010?
4. Do I Have Medicare Part D Coverage With A Medicare Advantage Plan?
5. Can I Cancel Or switch to A Different Medicare Advantage Plan?
6. Does A Medicare Advantage Plan Work With My Medicare Supplement Plan?
7. What Happens To My Medicare Supplemental Insurance If I Enroll In A Medicare Advantage Plan?
8. What If My Medicare Advantage Plan Is Discontinued In 2010?
9. Can I Enroll In A Medicare Advantage Plan If I have Already Other Health Insurance Coverage?
10. How Much Are Medicare Advantage Plans 2010?
11. How Can I Enroll In A Medicare Advantage Plan?

Tags: cancel, Change, Discountinued Advantage Plan, join, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Advantage Plans 2010, Medicare Part C, Switch, Switch back to Medicare

Can I Enroll In A Medicare Advantage Plan If I have Already Other Health Insurance Coverage?

If You Have Other Coverage with your employer, union, or Indian or Tribal Health Program benefits, you need to talk with the plan administrator about their rules before you enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan.

In some cases, joining a Medicare Advantage Plan might cause you to lose your other health care coverage, or if you drop your employer or union coverage, you may not be able to get it back.

Make sure to carefully explore all your Medicare health insurance options and compare Medicare Advantage Plans to make sure you select the plan that best suits your needs and your budget.

More Articles About Medicare Advantage

1. Medicare Advantage Plans
2. Am I Eligible For A Medicare Advantage Plan?
3. What Is New For Medicare Advantage Plans In 2010?
4. Do I Have Medicare Part D Coverage With A Medicare Advantage Plan?
5. Can I Cancel Or switch to A Different Medicare Advantage Plan?
6. Does A Medicare Advantage Plan Work With My Medicare Supplement Plan?
7. What Happens To My Medicare Supplemental Insurance If I Enroll In A Medicare Advantage Plan?
8. What If My Medicare Advantage Plan Is Discontinued In 2010?
9. Can I Enroll In A Medicare Advantage Plan If I have Already Other Health Insurance Coverage?
10. How Much Are Medicare Advantage Plans 2010?
11. How Can I Enroll In A Medicare Advantage Plan?

Tags: Medicare Advantage, Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Advantage Plans 2010, Subscribe

How Much Are Medicare Advantage Plans 2010?

Some Medicare Advantage Plans still offer health coverage at no additional cost over what you already pay for your Medicare in 2010. While some advantage plans have a no monthly plan premium, others do. In any case you must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium unless paid for you under Medicaid or by another third party.

Additional costs depend on the benefits provided by the plan, with some charging an additional premium or having higher deductible and co-payment requirements. However, there are many Medicare Advantage plans that offer more coverage protection than Medicare Parts A and B, but have zero extra monthly premiums above your Part B premium.

In general, Medicare Advantage plans are less expensive than traditional Medicare because they cap the amount of out-of-pocket costs. For example, traditional Medicare plans typically require an individual to personally pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount out of their own pocket. For someone with high medical costs this can quickly add up. Medicare Advantage plans, however, will limit annual out-of-pocket expenses, typically between $2,000 and $5,000.

As rates and benefits vary, you need to carefully compare plans in order to find the one that best fits your health care needs. While Medicare Advantage plans can provide better coverage, the choices can seem overwhelming.

Depending on where someone lives, the Medicare Advantage plan options number in the hundreds. If you live in New York City or Miami for example, you have over 100 different Medicare Plans to choose from.

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1. Medicare Advantage Plans
2. Am I Eligible For A Medicare Advantage Plan?
3. What Is New For Medicare Advantage Plans In 2010?
4. Do I Have Medicare Part D Coverage With A Medicare Advantage Plan?
5. Can I Cancel Or switch to A Different Medicare Advantage Plan?
6. Does A Medicare Advantage Plan Work With My Medicare Supplement Plan?
7. What Happens To My Medicare Supplemental Insurance If I Enroll In A Medicare Advantage Plan?
8. What If My Medicare Advantage Plan Is Discontinued In 2010?
9. Can I Enroll In A Medicare Advantage Plan If I have Already Other Health Insurance Coverage?
10. How Much Are Medicare Advantage Plans 2010?
11. How Can I Enroll In A Medicare Advantage Plan?

Tags: Best Rates, Buy, Costs, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Advantage Plans 2010, Medicare Part C, Price, Shop, Subscribe

How Can I Enroll In A Medicare Advantage Plan?

You can join a Medicare Advantage Plan by directly contacting the plan provider, visiting www.medicare.gov, or talking to an insurance agent.

If you would like to compare quotes for different Medicare Advantage Plans that best fit your health care needs, click here.

More Articles About Medicare Advantage

1. Medicare Advantage Plans
2. Am I Eligible For A Medicare Advantage Plan?
3. What Is New For Medicare Advantage Plans In 2010?
4. Do I Have Medicare Part D Coverage With A Medicare Advantage Plan?
5. Can I Cancel Or switch to A Different Medicare Advantage Plan?
6. Does A Medicare Advantage Plan Work With My Medicare Supplement Plan?
7. What Happens To My Medicare Supplemental Insurance If I Enroll In A Medicare Advantage Plan?
8. What If My Medicare Advantage Plan Is Discontinued In 2010?
9. Can I Enroll In A Medicare Advantage Plan If I have Already Other Health Insurance Coverage?
10. How Much Are Medicare Advantage Plans 2010?
11. How Can I Enroll In A Medicare Advantage Plan?

Tags: Best Rates, Buy, Compare Rates, Costs, Discountinued Advantage Plan, Enroll, free quote, join, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Advantage Plans 2010, Medicare Part C, Price, Shop, Subscribe

Medicare Doctors In Rural Areas Are Waning

According to an article by Ken Alltucker on Jan. 24, 2010 in The Arizona Republic seniors in rural Arizona towns and cities with a graying population, such as Yavapai County’s Prescott and Prescott Valley, are facing what health officials acknowledge is a troubling trend: doctors who refuse to see new Medicare patients.

Many seniors have struggled to find a local physician and have turned to hospital emergency rooms, clinics or lengthy car trips to Phoenix for health care. Medicare, some doctors say, pays too little, and the red tape is too much. According to a June 2008 report by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, nearly a third of Medicare recipients looking for a new primary-care physician had some trouble securing a regular doctor.

Medical professionals say the Prescott area may serve as a valuable lesson for the nation as Congress seeks to expand health care: Even if most Americans are covered under some form of insurance, many still may not find a doctor willing to see them. Because there is a shortage of primary-care doctors, they can afford to be choosy when taking on new patients.

Tom White, 72, moved to Prescott Valley from Sacramento more than five years ago. He called doctor after doctor as he sought to land a slot for a checkup. When he said he had Medicare, the government’s insurance program mainly for those aged 65 and older, he was repeatedly told to find another doctor. "It was like filling out a job application," White said. "They looked it over for a day or two, and then they tell you they don’t want you."

Primary-care doctors, who provide the basics of care such as conducting annual exams and monitoring chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, say they face an annual fight with Congress for their share of Medicare dollars. The payment system is governed by a Clinton-era funding formula known as the sustainable growth rate. Congress has yet to fix the basic funding formula which says that Medicare payments to doctors for the typical patient can’t exceed the growth of the overall economy. While this worked during flush economic times, doctors faced their first payment cuts in 2002. Each year since, Congress has halted proposed pay cuts and approved one-year fixes with nominal pay increases.

2010 Medicare threatened a pay cut for doctors of 21.5 percent, only to give doctors a two-month reprieve that will expire at the end of February. Some health-management companies recommend that doctors don’t see Medicare patients at all.

A research of John Moyer, chief executive of Yavapai Management Innovations in the Prescott area, shows that area doctors get about 55 cents for each $1 billed based on standard fee schedules. Moyer said it doesn’t make sense for his doctors to see Medicare patients because of the lower reimbursement rate.

Longtime Prescott physician Bill Thrift agrees. He said Medicare’s lower pay and the cost to hire office workers to process the paperwork makes little financial sense. Thrift said he will not drop his longtime Medicare patients. However, when new Medicare patients call, chances are they won’t get a slot. "It’s getting to be every time I see a (Medicare) patient, I lose money," Thrift said. "So I can’t really make it up in volume."

Prescott-area health officials acknowledge a doctor shortage, but they also say that the reality may not be as bad as some believe. Seymour Dicker, who oversees service, said he knows of a dozen doctors in Prescott who will take new Medicare patients. He believes most people having difficulty finding a doctor grow frustrated with their search because they look in the phone book or call doctors based on referrals from friends or family.

Chino Valley residents Roger and Bonnie Mahon however can attest to the difficulty in finding a primary-care doctor in the area. Bonnie’s longtime doctor, Douglas Campbell, sent a letter about two years ago to his patients informing them he would no longer take Medicare patients because of the low reimbursement. Her husband Roger gave up his search for an area doctor several years ago. He commutes 220 miles round trip from Chino Valley to Phoenix to see a doctor, often getting a hotel room in the Valley overnight because of the long drive. When Bonnie initially sought to replace her doctor, she was told by other physicians that it would take up to 10 months for an appointment. She, too, traveled to Phoenix for doctor’s appointments until she recently found a replacement doctor in Prescott.

It is hard to blame a doctor who has the ability to charge higher rates to accept people with plans that pay these rates. Money rules, that is the sad truth. Once again, having private insurance like a Medicare Advantage Plan, is more important than ever before.

Tags: health care cuts 2010, medicare, Medicare 2010, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Advantage Plans 2010, Medicare cuts

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