There are a lot of questions about Medicare Advantage plans and whether they should be trusted or not. Many have come to love Medicare Advantage plans, while many others in the market have chosen to go a different path for their reasons, such as a Medicare Supplement policy and Original Medicare, for example.
There are many frequently asked questions that we get, but out of all of the questions that we get, “Are Medicare Advantage Plans Good”, or, “Are Medicare Advantage Plans Bad” is the one question we tend to get the most.
Everybody has different needs and goals around their healthcare. We want to avoid giving you the run-around and provide you with some valuable feedback in making your decision here. While this question makes a lot of sense to ask, the answer cannot be summed up by a simple Yes or No in most cases. It is case by case and specifically relative to the person who is asking the question.
As a general rule, Medicare Advantage Plans tend to be a great fit for people who are looking for enhanced benefits along with their Medicare Benefits. These enhanced benefits are things such as Dental, Vision, Hearing, Counter Items like Vitamins, transportation to and from the Dr., etc. Other items may be offered by Medicare Advantage plans, these are just some of the more popular items.
Medicare Advantage Plans can also confine you to a Provider Network. This means you may be restricted to seeing physicians who have a contract with the Health Plan. While this may seem scary, oftentimes, if you look hard enough, you may find a health plan with a widely extensive network of doctors. It is common to find Medicare Advantage Plans that work with your specific Doctor(s), which can provide peace of mind during the insurance shopping experience.
Medicare Advantage plans are not inherently bad, and they are not inherently good. There is a lot of information out there on these policies, but the one thing to know for sure is, that Medicare Advantage plans are not good for everyone, and they are also not bad for everyone. Some people are the ideal fit for that individual, and there are some individuals who would be better off going on a different type of plan.
When looking into a Medicare Advantage Plan
Some things to consider are:
- Do My Doctors Take Medicare Advantage Plans? Which ones do they take?
- Do I have A Good Primary Care Doctor?
- Does My Doctor easily write referrals?
- How Do I Feel About Referrals?
- Do I Do A Lot Of Traveling?
- Would I Benefit from Value Added Benefits such as Dental, Vision, Hearing, etc.?
- Am I Sensitive To Copays When Getting Care?
Read this blog – Choosing The Correct Medicare Advantage Plan
Although these items will give you much to consider, we still recommend you visit with one of our licensed professionals to help you navigate the decision of deciding if a Medicare Advantage Plan is right for you or not.