Medicare Advantage is one of the alternatives to the traditional Medicare offered by private insurance companies. With access to additional benefits like vision, dental, and hearing coverage, you might be wondering if Medicare Advantage is a viable option for you. In this blog post, we’ll take a look into some of the frequently asked questions about Medicare Advantage and help guide you in making an informed decision.
What is Medicare Advantage?
Medicare Advantage Plans (MA) are a kind of Medicare health plan provided by private insurance companies.
Medicare Advantage plans offer the same coverage as Parts A, B, and usually part D but with added medical benefits. Most MA plans include coverage for prescription drugs in addition to other services such as routine dental, vision, hearing, fitness, and some others.
They may also have more restrictive provider networks than original Medicare, which limits the available eligible healthcare providers you can choose from.
How is Medicare Advantage different from original Medicare?
Traditional Medicare is the government-run program that provides healthcare coverage for individuals over the age of 65 and eligible people with disabilities under the age of 65. You can obtain Medicare benefits through Part A and Part B, which allows you to visit any doctor or hospital who accepts Medicare.
While Medicare pays the healthcare provider for your covered services, you’ll also be responsible for some of the costs such as coinsurance and deductibles.
In contrast, a Medicare Advantage plan provides private health insurance programs offered by a healthcare provider contracted by Medicare. With an MA plan, you’re expected to receive most services within the network, and, in some cases, the provider may require your referral to see any specialists.
What are the benefits of choosing a Medicare Advantage plan?
If you choose to sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan, you can enjoy the following additional benefits:
- Sometimes you’ll find MA plans with lower out-of-pocket costs than traditional Medicare. They can be an affordable option if you require significant healthcare assistance.
- Dependable prescription drug coverage might be an attractive reason to sign up for an MA plan. Most Medicare Advantage programs include coverage for medications and can offer a more extensive range of drug formularies.
- Different extra health benefits might be included, such as wellness programs, fitness memberships, and vision, hearing and dental care that are not covered by traditional Medicare.
Wrapping It Up
Choosing the ideal healthcare plan can often seem a complex task, and that’s mainly because there’s no one-size-fits-all option for healthcare coverage.
With the facts at hand, hopefully, you are more informed about Medicare Advantage and are now on your way to making the right decision.
If you have more questions or want to explore other healthcare coverage options, don’t hesitate to contact our experts at Mint Health Insurance Agency. We stand ready to guide you through the process of choosing the right healthcare plan.
Need Help Making Sense of Medicare Advantage? Mint Insurance Agency Is Here To Help
We are an insurance agency dedicated to becoming a lifetime partner for your Medicare needs.
If you need assistance or want to learn more about the alternatives at your disposal, contact our licensed agents today or call 1.888.225.MINT (6468). Our team stands ready to answer all your questions.
