Medicare Advantage Plans

Medicare Advantage Plans are offered by private insurance companies contracted with Medicare.  They combine Part A (hospital) and Part B (outpatient care) into one plan. Often times, Part D (drug coverage) is included. 

Most Medicare Advantage Plans are managed care plans. They are typically a health maintenance organization (HMO) or a preferred provider organization (PPO.) You may be required to see doctors that are contracted with the plan. 

To join a Medicare Advantage Plan, you must have Medicare Part A and Part B. You must to continue to pay your monthly Medicare Part B premium to Medicare. You may have to pay a monthly premium to your Medicare Advantage Plan.

When Can I Enroll into a Medicare advantage plan?

Medicare limits when you can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage Plan.

You can join a plan when you first become eligible for Medicare. You will have 3 months prior, the month of, and 3 months after your Parts A & B eligiblilty dates or the month that you turn 65 (or date of disability, if prior to turning 65.) If you have delayed enrollment into Part B, you will only have the 3 months prior to your Part B effective date to enroll into a plan. 

You may add, switch or drop Medicare Advantage Plans during the annual election period which is between October 15th and December 7th of each year. You may make as many changes as you like during this period. The last enrollment you submit will be effective January 1st of the following year.  

There are other special election periods throughout the year where you may be eligible to add, change or drop a Medicare Advantage Plan. A few examples of these special election periods include change in residence, loss of employer group coverage, and eligibility for Medicaid. 

For more information, visit Medicare.gov