Most Medicare Advantage plans combine Part A - Hospital Service, Part B - Medical Services and most plans will include Part D - Prescription drug. Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private companies that Medicare approves. Approved plans must provide coverage for all of the same services covered by Original Medicare including emergency and urgent facility care. In addition, an Advantage plan has a yearly out-of-pocket maximum which Original Medicare does not. Medicare Advantage plans may also provide coverage for other services not included in Original Medicare such as routine dental, vision, hearing as well as health and wellness programs.
Even though you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you still have Medicare and must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium. The companies that offer Medicare Advantage Plans receive a fixed amount each month from Medicare to administer your coverage. In order to be contracted with Medicare, they must follow specific rules established by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Although each plan receives the same amount for administering your coverage. The plans may charge different amounts for premiums and other out-of-pocket costs and they may have different networks of doctors and hospitals. They also may have different rules for how you can obtain treatment – for instance, whether or not you need a referral to see a specialist or whether you’re required to see specific doctors or go to specific hospitals.
Medicare Advantage plans are annual contracts and may change every year. You would be notified by October 1st about the changes to the plans for the upcoming year so you can add, drop, or change plans if necessary.
Rhodes-Warden Insurance has three convenient office locations to serve you and we make it easy to reach us. Call us at (541) 258-2131 during our business hours of Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or simply complete our Contact Request form above and we will call you to schedule an appointment at one of our offices in Lebanon, Albany or Stayton, Oregon.