Medicare Advantage Plans

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans offer an alternative to Original Medicare, bundling coverage into a single plan with additional benefits like vision and dental. However, while these plans might seem attractive, hidden costs and limitations can catch you off guard. Our Medicare Specialists at MedicareMall are here to help you navigate these options, ensuring you understand the potential risks and rewards—keep reading to see if a Medicare Advantage plan is truly the right choice for your healthcare needs.

Information Provided by our Medicare Advantage Representatives

Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) Plans Private Fee-for-Service Plans generally allow you to visit any doctor or hospital Original Medicare would allow you to visit, as long as the doctor or hospital agrees to treat you. A PFFS plan can require you to follow strict rules and determines how payments are to be divided between the PFFS and the patient

Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Plans HMO plans normally require referrals from primary care physicians and treatment by specialists and hospitals within the plan’s network.

Medicare Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Plans PPO plans allow you to use doctors, hospitals, and providers outside the plan’s network at additional cost.

Medicare Medical Savings Account (MSA) Plans MSA plans deposit Medicare funds into an account used for paying your health care costs. These plans normally come with high deductibles resulting in out-of-pocket expenses before coverage begins.

Medicare Special Needs Plans (SNP) SNPs provide focused, specialized health for specific groups of people including beneficiaries of both Medicare and Medicaid, those in nursing homes, and those with certain chronic conditions.

There are a few things you should be aware of. First, while Medicare Advantage plans may look like an unbeatable deal, there are plenty of hidden costs associated with them. Many seniors enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans are hit with unexpected costs they didn’t budget for, and these costs are rising year to year.

Availability of Medicare Advantage plans can vary from area to area. To find out what’s available where you are, you can contact MedicareMall toll-free at 877-413-1556 or visit www.medicare.gov

Because of the additional security it provides, we recommend Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan F rather than Medicare Advantage to most of our clients. Most seniors find it easier to budget consistently for coverage under Plan F than to face the uncertainty associated with Medicare Advantage.

You shouldn’t overestimate the benefits offered by Medicare Advantage plans. While Medicare Advantage plans sometimes appear to provide fuller benefits than Medicare supplement plans, they may not actually do so. For example, Medicare Advantage vision and dental coverage is no greater than what is available from free discount programs online.

You should also be aware that any Medigap plan you hold will no longer pay deductibles, co-payments, or other cost-sharing under your Medicare health plan if you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan.

MedicareMall is here to help you determine whether enrolling in Medicare Advantage would be to your advantage. Contact us now and one of our licensed, bonded professionals will be happy to answer all your questions or help you enroll in the plan of your choice.

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