Medcare Advantage and Medicare Supplements

We did a basic article on Texas Medicare Health, but have been asked to expand on that by discussing types of Medicare Health Plans in addition to traditional Medicare. You may already be familiar with Medicare Supplements and Medicare Advantage Plans and Medicare Prescription Plans, but if you are not, take a moment to get the basics!

Internet Medicare Health Plan Quotes

Medicare Supplements are health plans that supplement traditional Medicare Part A and Part B. These plans come in different standardized types, but are meant to insure your for the deductibles and copays that Medicare expects beneficiaries to pay. Medicare Supplements come with a premium, and usually require a senior to answer health question.

If you are confused about Medicare Supplements, request Medicare Supplement Information Online Here.

Medicare Advantage plans are different than Medicare Supplements! If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you still are a Medicare Beneficiary! I mention that because that is a point of confusion. However, instead of showing your Medicare Card at the doctor’s office or hospital, you will show you Medicare Advantage Card instead.

Medicare Advantage HMO

Medicare Advantage Plans come in three basic varieties. HMO plans expect you to seek medical services from a network of doctors and other medical providers that come with the plans. They will only cover treatment from these health providers unless it is an emergency, or under very particular cases. Even though this requirement is strict, many people are very satisfied with Medicare Advantage HMO plans because they are not confusing. An insured person simply selects a primary doctor, and then finds other health providers from the list provided by the insurance company, or from providers their primary care doctors suggests.

Medicare Advantage PPO

PPO plans are a little more flexible. They provide more coverage with network medical providers, but allow insured people to leave the network if they choose. They will usually cover a greater percentage of expenses from network providers, so they encourage people to use their list of doctors, hospitals, etc., but will allow an enrollee to seek medical services elsewhere. Of course, emergencies and special cases will be considered for in-network coverage even if they are taken outside the network!

Medicare Advantage Fee For Service or Any Doc

The third type of plan seems the most flexible, but has come under a bad rap lately. This is called a “fee for service” or any doc plan. The terms are a bit misleading. The insurance company offers to pay coverage on any medical provider, but the caveat here is that the doctor or other medical provider has to take them! The problem with them is that health care providers may be unfamilar with the plans, and therefore seniors have had trouble finding doctors who will bill directly to the insurance company. Many problems get resolved eventually, even when the enrolled person has to send bills directly to the insurance company.

If you are not satisfied with your Medicare Advantage plan, you can drop back into regular Medicare. Contact your Medicare office or an experienced Senior Health Insurance Agent for help! A good agent will not tell you that one particular plan is right for everybody, but will listen to you, and find the best medicare plan for you!

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