Understanding Medicare Advantage & Medicare Supplements

Before choosing a plan we want to be sure you know the difference between your many options; In particular how Medicare Supplements and Medicare Advantage Plans differ.

Many people sign up for Medicare Advantage Plans thinking they are Supplements, they are not.

MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT INSURANCE PLANS

A Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan is used with original Medicare. Any caregiver that accepts Medicare will take a Supplement because they only need to bill medicare.

Medicare pays their part(usually about 80% of the Medicare covered benefits) and send the remainder of the bill to the Supplement which pays their part (generally 20%). It is important to note that Supplements DO NOT include Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D, PDP) and for those that do not change year to year (although the cost does generally go up but the coverage does not change).

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS

A Medicare Advantage plan works differently than a Supplement. With a Medicare Advantage Plan a private company TAKES OVER for Medicare (you remain in the Medicare system but Medicare is no longer responsible for your bills). These plans follow the same type of module as many group plans such as HMO or PPO. With this type of plan it is important to remember several things.

First, most Advantage Plans have Networks so you want to make sure your Doctor, Hospital, and auxiliary care are within the network. (otherwise you will be paying higher costs and in some cases are responsible for 100% of care outside the network)Second, Advantage Plans have co-pays associated with them. It is important to be aware of these because they can add up to be quite a bit of money. Third, most Advantage Plans have the Part D “built in” which is a nice bonus but you must be aware that when switching to a Supplement from an Advantage Plan you will also need to add a Part D. (there are several types of Advantage Plans that do NOT have the Part D built in so this is something you need to keep in mind when choosing any plan).Lastly, Advantage Plans typically have value added benefits. These benefits vary between plans but typical benefits include Health Club membership, limited dental, eye and/or vision.

Also, not all Plan D’s are the same. Although they are required to be at least as good as the Medicare model they can vary greatly in costs, co pays and specific drugs that are covered. It is important to check which one suits you and continue to check each year because they (like Advantage Plans) do change every year.

Because these plans vary even from county to county, we strongly recommend that you talk to an independent insurance agent to help you choose the one that best suits your needs.

Medicare offers prescription drug coverage to everyone with Medicare. If you decide not to join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan when you're first eligible, and you don't have other creditable prescription drug coverage, or you don't get Extra Help, you'll likely pay a late enrollment penalty. To get Medicare drug coverage, you must join a plan run by an insurance company or other private company approved by Medicare. Each plan can vary in cost and drugs covered.

Medicare Advantage plans must cover all of the medical and hospital services that Original Medicare covers, except hospice care (Original Medicare covers hospice care even if you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan). We represent many of the Medicare Plans available.

Mutual of Omaha
Anthem
Aetna
Humana
United Healthcare
Wellcare
Optimum Healthcare
Oscar and more