800-290-7535Medicare Advantage Plans Are Often Useless
Don't Be Fooled
Medicare Advantage is a health insurance program run by private insurance companies contracted by Medicare. If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan you will automatically be dis-enrolled from Original Medicare and you will NOT be able to use your red, white, and blue Medicare card.
If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan, there are network restrictions. This means you are required to see the healthcare providers in the Medicare Advantage network; plus, in most cases, you will need to get prior approval when you need care, except in case of an emergency. Good Morning America - Beware of Medicare Advantage Plans
Medicare pays a fixed amount for your care every month to the companies offering your Medicare Advantage Plan. These companies must follow the rules set by Medicare. However, MA Plans are not "standardized." Each plan can charge different out-of-pocket costs and have different rules for how you get services (like whether you need a referral to see a specialist or if you have to go to only doctors, facilities or suppliers that belong to the plan for non-emergency or non-urgent care). These rules can change each year. So your coverage can change from year to year.
You must live in the plan's service area. In most cases, other than during your Initial Enrollment Period, you can join only during certain times of the year.
Medicare Advantage plans are privatized by Medicare rand un by for-profit insurance companies. These insurance companies have been given the ability to make their own claims decisions, and some claims decisions have been known to be made with profitability in mind. We think Original Medicare and a Medicare Supplement Plan offer you the best choice and value now and for the future.
Click to view the video: Medicare Advantage from a Doctor’s Perspective.
