How Do Medicare Advantage Plans Work?

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How Do Medicare Advantage Plans Work?

senior studying Medicare Advantage plans.

Not all that long ago, there was only one way to go when it came to Medicare coverage. First one would acquire Medicare coverage. They would then supplement the coverage by purchasing a Medicare Supplement plan. This is because a stand-alone Medicare plan contains "gaps" in coverage that could lead to significant out-of-pocket costs for certain medical occurrences. There are a variety of supplement plan options that provide different levels of supplement protection. The various plan types are designated by letters of the alphabet (A-N). Generally, the more comprehensive the coverage, the higher the cost of the supplement plan.

Medicare Advantage Plans are an "all in one" alternative to the Original Medicare / Supplement plan arrangement. These plans are offered by private companies approved by Medicare. If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, you still have Medicare. These "all in one" plans include Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance), and usually Medicare prescription drug (Part D).

Medicare Advantage Plans cover all services covered by original Medicare. In addition, Advantage plans are required to offer at least the same level of coverage as the Original Medicare Part A and Part B coverage. In almost every case, Advantage plans feature several attractive additional benefits that are not covered by original Medicare. Dependent upon which advantage plan you choose, these benefits may include coverage for vision care, hearing aids, dental care, prescription drug coverage, transportation to and from medical facilities, and even fitness center membership. The end result is a very comprehensive medical insurance plan.

Interesting Fact: The United States spends over $8,250 per capita on health care every year - that's over 22% higher than the next highest country in the world and over 170% higher than the average of the highest-spending 50 countries in the world. In 1960, the per capita cost of health care was $147 per person in America; adjusted for inflation, it would be $1,082 today; that means our current per capita cost has grown over 660% above and beyond normal inflation. As a portion of the gross domestic product (GDP), health care spending accounts for 17.7 percent. The U.S. is second in the world and first among developed nations for the highest health care spending as a percentage of GDP. The total amount of money spent on health care each year in the United States is $2.6 trillion, and it is expected to continue rising. By 2021, spending on health care each year is expected to be $4.8 trillion. It is estimated that 30% (about $750 billion) of health care spending each year is wasted.

If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, you continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium. The private insurer determines what the Medicare Advantage plan premium will be. This premium amount will vary from one plan style to another.

Medicare Advantage plans tend to be significantly less expensive than Medicare Supplement coverage. Some Medicare Advantage plans may have premiums as low as $0.

Copay costs may also be less with a Medicare Advantage plan. For, example, if you visit a primary care physician under a Medicare Advantage plan, you may pay a copayment of $10. However, if you visit a primary care physician under Original Medicare, you may have a coinsurance of 20%, which could be significantly more than $10.

A Medicare Advantage plan will limit your maximum out-of-pocket expense. Once you have spent that maximum, you pay nothing for covered medical services for the remainder of the year.

Good to know: Discuss health plans options with your doctor. Go over your insurance company's list of covered prescription medications with your doctor. Some medicines will cost you more than others. If your doctor knows what's on your insurer's list, he can select the best medication for you at the lowest price. Also, if your plan requires you to get a referral to a specialist, take your insurance plan's preferred-provider list to your primary-care appointment. Your doctor can easily pick out the best specialist who participates in your plan.

Medicare Advantage Rules and Guidelines

Medicare pays a fixed amount for your care each month to the companies offering Medicare Advantage Plans. In turn, these companies must follow rules set by Medicare.

Each Medicare Advantage Plan can charge different Out-of-pocket costs. They can also have different rules for how you get services – for example:

Whether you need a referral to see a specialist.
What shared medical costs you are responsible for.

For more information concerning Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement or Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, please give us a call.

Other articles:
The Pros and Cons of Medicare Advantage Plans
5 Strategies For Reducing Medical Bills.
Finding Short-Term Health Insurance.
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