• Visit these pages for Medicare Advantage information

  • Anthem MediBlue Plus & SNP
  • United Health Care
  • Blue Shield 65 Plus – Inspire HMO 2022
  • Scan
    • Enrollment Dates for MAPD – Medicare Advantage & Part D Rx
    • Original Medicare & Medi-Gap – Supplement vs Medicare Advantage MAPD
    • SNP Special Needs Plans

What are Medicare Advantage Plans?

Medicare Advantage Plans MAPD are also known as Medicare Part C and/or Medicare + Choice.  MAPD plans generally include low co-pays, deductibles, an HMO type list of doctors and hospitals. and often include Dental and Part D – Rx Prescriptions with low or no premiums.  The main enrollment requirement is that you must have both Part A Hospital and Part B Doctor Visits which runs about $148/month.  

If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, you’ll still have Medicare but you’ll get your Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) coverage from the Medicare Advantage Plan, not Original Medicare. In most cases, you’ll need to use health care providers who participate in the plan’s network.  Very few if any plans offer out-of network coverage, other than emergencies or urgent care. Remember, in most cases, you must use the card from your Medicare Advantage Plan to get your Medicare-covered services.  Keep your Medicare card in a safe place because you’ll need it if you ever switch back to Original Medicare.

Check out the Official Understanding Medicare Advantage Brochure at the right if you have a full screen monitor or scroll down or click the link to view.

Get Quotes, Full Information and Enroll

• Blue Cross
• United Health Care
• Blue Shield 

How is zero or low premium coverage possible? 

It’s not free, Medicare pays the Plan – Insurance Company about $1,000/month ^{InsureMeKevin} * to care for you, which includes paying us as your agent to help you at no charge. Here’s an  more Explanation from  *   Insure Me Kevin.com 

See also our webpage comparing Original Medicare, Medi-Gap and Medicare Advantage.

Please email us  to discuss your options. 

Medicare Advantage Plans cover all Medicare Part A and Part B services

In all types of Medicare Advantage Plans, you’re always covered for emergency and urgent care.

Medicare Advantage Plans must cover all of the services that Original Medicare covers.

However, if you’re in a Medicare Advantage Plan, Original Medicare will still cover the cost for hospice care, some new Medicare benefits, and some costs for clinical research studies.

Some Medicare Advantage Plans offer coverage for things that aren’t covered by Original Medicare, like vision, hearing, dental, and other health and wellness programs. Most include Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D). In addition to your Part B premium, you might have to pay a monthly premium for the Medicare Advantage Plan.

Medicare Advantage Plans must follow Medicare’s rules

Medicare pays a fixed amount for your coverage each month to the companies offering Medicare Advantage Plans. These companies must follow rules set by Medicare. However, each Medicare Advantage 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 doctors, facilities, or suppliers that belong to the plan’s network for non-emergency or non-urgent care). These rules can change each year. The plan must notify you about any changes before the start of the next enrollment year. Remember, you have the option each year to keep your current plan, choose a different plan, or switch to Original Medicare. S

Read More in Medicare & You – see  side panel or scroll down if you are on a smartphone

When to Apply?

It’s best to apply when you turn 65 or a few months before or after  for the Medi Gap –  supplement plans or Medicare Advantage Plans, as that’s the main “Open Enrollment” period where coverage is  guaranteed issue for any plan.

If you didn’t enroll in Medicare Advantage  when you turned 65, you can do that or change plans at the Annual Coordinated Election Period (AEP) which runs from October 15 through December 7 each year. 

You can also  change prescription drug plans, return to Original Medicare  (or must you wait for the disenrollment period?) and look into Medi Gap plans (PPO Any Medicare Provider). 

There is a guaranteed right to enroll in Medi-Gap after a one year trial period in MAPD.  Your new plan, renewal and enrollment changes are effective on January 1.

For more details and the exact rules, see our page on when can you enroll for more details, or email us.

There is a navigational menu above and below for the Companies, we represent with their brochures, provider lists, etc. that pay us to help you enroll in their plans at NO additional cost to you.

Resources, Video’s  & Links

Medicare Made Clear 64 pages from UHC

What is a Medicare Advantage Health Plan Publication 11474

History & Details of Medicare Advantage Part C since 1997  CMS.Gov

Medicare Managed Care Manual

My Advocate Helps   This website helps you Save money, engage with your community, and improve your health.

What % of those on Medicare, pick a Medicare Advantage Plan?  Which companies have what % of the market?

Some thoughts are that Medicare Advantage plans might leave sicker patients in a worse position  ^{CA Healthline 7.6.2017}

How is Medicare #funded?  

Technical Resources

Wikipedia.org

Medicare Acronyms

What are the different types of Medicare Advantage Plans?

Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans: 

• Anthem MediBlue Plus
• Blue Shield 65 Plus HMO 
  • Trio Medicare – Blue Shield – Sacramento
• United Health Care

Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) 

• Blue Cross PPO Orange County

Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans: See page 63. (I haven’t see these in CA)

Special Needs Plans (SNPs):

• Diabetes
  • Anthem Caremore Diabetes SNP
• End Stage Renal – Kidney Failure
• Mental Health SNP Special Needs Plan

HMO Point-of-Service (HMO POS) plans: These are HMO plans that may allow you to get some services out-of-network for a higher copayment or coinsurance.

Medical Savings Account (MSA) Plans: (I haven’t seen these in CA) These plans combine a high deductible health plan with a bank account that the plan selects. The plan deposits money into the account (usually less than the deductible). You can use the money to pay for your health care services during the year. MSA Plans don’t offer Medicare drug coverage. If you want drug coverage, you have to join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.

Part D Rx Prescriptions

• AARP – Part D Rx
• Blue Cross Rx
• Blue Shield Rx
• Premiums for those with High Income
• Shop & Compare Tools Part D Rx

For more information on MSA Plans, visit Medicare.gov. To find out if an MSA Plan is available in your area, visit Medicare.gov/find-a-plan. or find a qualified agent in your area. 

If you are in CA, that’s Us!