Medicare Advantage Frequently Asked Questions
When can I sign up for a Medicare Advantage Plan?
There are two primary periods when you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. 1. When you first start Medicare A & B. 2. During the Annual Open Enrollment period which begins October 15th and lasts through December 7th. There may also be other special situations that make you eligible. To get information and enroll in a plan, simply contact us on this site or give us a call at 855.625.7633 toll free.
How do I sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan? To enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan you must be registered for Medicare A & B now or 3 months in the future. To get information on and enroll in a plan, just call us at 1.855.625.7633 or contact us on this site. We’ll give you the details and guidance and help you enroll right over the phone.
Will Medicare Advantage and it’s extra benefits cost me more monthly? In most cases no. The nice thing about Medicare Advantage is that you can get extra benefits included, for no extra monthly cost. In fact, in some cases you can get the extra benefits and a lower overall monthly cost.
How does Medicare Advantage provide extra benefits for no extra monthly cost? When you sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan it is provided by a private insurance company and it becomes your Medicare benefits. The government then pays your Medicare Advantage provider a monthly amount to provide you with benefits. The government pays them more than the average to allow for the extra coverage. Plus, Insurance providers are already efficient at providing extra benefits (dental, vision, hearing, etc), so they’re able to include them for no extra cost.
Will having Medicare Advantage lower the quality of my coverage or care? No. Medicare Advantage is regulated by the federal government and it provides coverage for medically necessary treatment. Many covered services are subject to approval by the insurer and are typically approved without issue. The quality of doctor & hospital networks can vary with different plans and insurers. So, it’s important to choose a quality insurance provider that meets your individual needs.
If I sign up for Medicare Advantage, can I keep my doctors or will I need to change them? In most cases, you will be able to keep seeing them. Medicare Advantage plans have networks, meaning a list of doctors and hospitals that are accept the plan. Some Medicare Advantage plans allow you to go out of network, to any doctor, but for potentially higher copays. When evaluating a Medicare Advantage plan, you should check if your doctors and medical providers accept the plan and choose a plan that does. If you’re working with us, this is something that we will do for you.
If I enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, can I change to another one or go back to regular Medicare? Yes. Each year from October 15th through December 7th, you can change your Medicare Advantage plan to another. Also, from January 1st through March 31st each year, you can dis-enroll from a Medicare Advantage plan and go back to Original Medicare.
