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When picking a Medicare coverage, you might opt for the Original Medicare, which consists of Medicare Part A (provides hospital coverage) and Medicare Part B (doctors and other healthcare services). There is another option, a Medicare Advantage plan, that goes past what the Original
Medicare plan has to offer. Also, the Original Medicare plan is directly under the federal government. On the other hand, the Medicare Advantage plan, also called Medicare Part C, is a service of private insurance agencies that make agreements with the government.
When it comes to making a decision about your Medicare plan, there are numerous factors that you have to consider. In contrast to the Original Medicare plan, the Medicare Advantage plan offers some additional benefits. Also, it provides more comprehensive medical coverage.
Most Medicare Advantage plans provide the following healthcare services:
- Hospitalization
- Hospice Care
- Certain home healthcare services
- Prescription drug coverage
- Doctor’s Appointments
- Hearing
- Vision
- Dental
- Preventative care
- Fitness memberships
The Medicare Advantage plan has many great benefits over the Original Medicare plan. Here we will walk you through some great advantages of Medicare Advantage health care plans.
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It Provides More Services
Medicare Advantages plans offer a greater degree of flexibility in comparison to the Original Medicare. They provide a wider range of medical services. Legally, a Medicare Advantage plan has to cover all the services of an Original Medicare plan.
What is so great about the Medicare Advantage plan is that it can provide greater healthcare coverage and offers services that go beyond the original plan. These additional services might include things like at-home health visits, eyeglasses, fitness memberships, and hearing aids.
In addition, some Medicare Advantage plans also include Part D, which provides prescription drug coverage. That makes it incredibly convenient for people who regularly need their prescription medications. If you were to pick the Original Medicare plan and you also wanted the prescription coverage, you would have to buy the Part D plan separately.
In addition, the Medicare Advantage plans cover some non-medical supplemental services, including non-emergency medical transportation, home modifications for people with disabilities, and home delivery of meals. Furthermore, it might provide non-professional at-home care, including assistance with cooking, dressing, and bathing.
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There Are Minimal or No Premiums
One of the greatest advantages of Medicare Advantage plans is that they come with minimal premiums, while some have none at all. The government covers parts A, B, and C however, you have to pay an amount for Part B, which then gets taken from your Social Security.
Depending on the coverage plan you choose, the private insurer might or might not charge an extra premium for the Part C. These premiums can range from zero to a few hundred dollars a month. Also, you can receive some extra benefits and services depending on the plan you select.
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Lower Copayments and Deductibles
Deductible refers to the amount you pay for prescriptions or medical services before the insurer starts to pay. Copays, or copayments, are the charges that you have to pay for certain medical benefits such as doctor visits and emergency care center visits.
If your Medicare Advantage plan includes copays and deductibles, you will have to make some comparisons and consider your medical requirements as they are different for each plan. Also, it might be a good idea to get in touch with a health insurance broker. These professionals can give you all the information you need about the different plans.
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Coordinated Medical Care
Most Medicare Advantage plans provide coordinated medical care. These plans give you the opportunity to visit any healthcare provider for any purpose. Also, your medical provider communicates actively in order to coordinate your medical care among different medical specialties and healthcare services.
In addition, it makes sure that you have a medical team. Moreover, you can avoid any unnecessary charges and problems such as medication interactions. Research suggests that coordinated medical care leads to a more positive medical staff experience and also better patient ratings.
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An Out-of-Pocket Cap
One of the most critical considerations is the Original Medicare Plan doesn’t have an out-of-pocket limit. It means that when you select the Original Medicare plan, the healthcare expenses that you pay out of your pocket are not capped.
Thus, they keep adding up throughout the year. In the unfortunate case that you suffer any serious illness or face a medical emergency, this amount might add up to thousands of dollars.
The great thing about the Medicare Advantage plan is that it comes with an out-of-pocket limit. It means that once you reach that payment limit, you don’t have to pay anything more for the services throughout the year.
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Carefully Selected Healthcare Providers
The Medicare Advantage plan can save you money by choosing high-quality and affordable providers. A lot of these plans, especially the health maintenance organizations (HMOs), operate with a care team.
This team consists of primary healthcare physicians, nurses, and other medical assistants. Also, they are all responsible for providing coordinated medical care. According to research, a care team is important for better patient safety as well as better quality of patient care.
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Personalized Plan Structures
Medicare Advantage provides various types of plans to suit your particular situation. For instance, if you are suffering from a chronic medical condition, getting an SNP Advantage plan might be best considering your high medical expenses.
Also, if you want provider freedom, a PFFS or PPO plan might be a suitable fit for you. Also, if you want additional healthcare benefits like hearing, vision, or dental, most Medicare Advantage plans cover them.
Conclusion
Medicare Advantage provides many great advantages over the Original Medicare plan. Some of these benefits include a wider range of services, low premiums, lower deductibles, coordinated medical care, quality medical providers, and personalized medical plans.
Before choosing a particular Medicare plan, you have to consider all your Medicare coverage options and your specific healthcare needs. Working with a licensed insurer can assist you in finding the best Medicare plan that is convenient and cost-effective for you.
