Medicare Advantage Plans in Alabama

If you don't like the coverage provided by Original Medicare, the alternative is a private health plan through the Medicare Advantage program. In most areas of Alabama there are multiple options to choose from, but options vary between each Alabama County. As a result, you can only choose a plan that's available where you live.

You can compare all the available plans in your area by using our zip code lookup tool above or by clicking on your county below. Continue reading to find out more about Alabama's Medicare Advantage program and how it compares to other options.

Compare the Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Alabama by County

What are Medicare Advantage Plans and Can I Get One in Alabama?

Unlike Original Medicare, which only covers major medical costs, a Medicare Advantage plan, sometimes called Medicare Part CMedicare Part C is Medicare's private health plan option. Also known as Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part C plans are a type of Medicare health plan offered by companies that contract with Medicare to provide all..., can include many extras, including prescription drug coverage, vision, hearing, dental, and fitness, just to name a few. And, good news, they are available in Alabama. But you must have both Medicare Part AMedicare Part A is hospital coverage for Medicare beneficiaries. It covers inpatient care in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. It also covers limited home healthcare services and hospice care. and Medicare Part BMedicare Part B is medical coverage for people with Original Medicare benefits. It covers doctor visits, preventative care, tests, durable medical equipment, and supplies. Medicare Part B pays 80 percent of most medically necessary healthcare services. benefits to join a plan.

Althought the extra benefits, particularly a prescription drug plan, are nice to have, it's important to fully understand what you're getting if you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan in Alabama. Specifically, Medicare Advantage is managed care health insurance, and the plan controls your access to healthcare providers. If you have ever had an HMO or PPO plan through your employer's group health insurance, you have a pretty good idea of what managed care health insurance is all about.

Medicare Advantage vs. Original Medicare: Is There a Big Difference?

The best way to understand the differences between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Part B) is to evaluate the pros and cons of each type of coverage.

Pros and Cons: Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage

1. With Medicare Advantage you must use Alabama healthcare providers within the plan's network. With Original Medicare, you can use the Medicare-approved providers of your choice.
2. If you travel and have a medical emergencyWhen you believe you have an injury or illness that requires immediate medical attention to prevent a disability or death., Medicare Advantage covers you (in the U.S and its territories only). However, if you are a snowbird and winter or summer in another state, a non-emergency doctor outside of your plan's network won't be covered.
3. All Medicare Advantage plansMedicare Advantage (MA), also known as Medicare Part C, are health plans from private insurance companies that are available to people eligible for Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B). sold in Alabama protect you with an annual maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limit. Once you reach this spending limit the plan pays all additional copays and coinsuranceCoinsurance is a percentage of the total you are required to pay for a medical service.  that you'd normally pay out-of-pocket. Original Medicare does not have an out-of-pocket maximum.
4. Most Medicare Advantage plans come bundled with a Alabama Medicare Part DMedicare Part D plans are an option Medicare beneficiaries can use to get prescription drug coverage. Part D plans provide cost-sharing on covered medications in four different phases: deductible, initial coverage, coverage gap, and catastrophic. Each... plan for prescription coverage. With Original Medicare, you must enroll in a stand-alone Part D plan. But, the stand-alone plans offer more choices to get lower-cost prescriptions.
5. With Original Medicare, your costs (copays, coinsurance, etc.) are predictable, and you can get a Medicare supplement to help pay these costs. In the Medicare Advantage program, each plan can charge what they want for copays and coinsurance, making it very difficult to compare actual costs.
6. There are eligibility requirements with Medicare Advantage plans. For example, you must have both Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B to join, and you cannot have end-stage renal diseaseEnd-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), also known as kidney failure, is a condition that causes you to need dialysis or a kidney transplant. People with ESRD are eligible for Medicare coverage regardless of age. (ESRD) or one of a handful of other diseases.

Alabama Medicare Supplements vs. Medicare Advantage

Three of the most common questions we get from Alabama seniors are:

• Why are Medicare Advantage plans bad?
• What are the disadvantages of Medicare Advantage plans?
• Is it better to have Medicare Advantage or Medigap?

Let's answer these three questions right now.

Why Alabama Medicare Advantage Plans are Bad

First things first. Medicare Advantage plans are not bad. More than 26 million people have a Medicare plan. But, it's not for everyone. Before you enroll, learn the disadvantages of Medicare Advantage plans, particularly if you live in Alabama.

MedicareWireMedicareWire is a Medicare insurance consulting agency. We founded MedicareWire after seeing and hearing how confusing and frustrating it is to find, understand, and choose a plan. Our services are free to the consumer. advises people who have one or more serious chronic conditions to keep their Original Medicare, particularly if you have specialists treating you and you want to stay with them. Our opinion is that Medicare Advantage is an excellent option for those who qualify for both Medicare and MedicaidMedicaid is a public health insurance program that provides health care coverage to low-income families and individuals in the United States. (dual eligible), for those with retiree healthcare benefits, and for extremely healthy, active seniors.

Similarly, traditional MedicareOriginal Medicare is private fee-for-service health insurance for people on Medicare. It has two parts. Part A is hospital coverage. Part B is medical coverage., plus Medicare supplement insuranceMedicare Supplements are additional insurance policies that Medicare beneficiaries can purchase to cover the gaps in their Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B) health insurance coverage., work best for people with chronic health conditions, as well as those who can afford a higher monthly premium. Most experts agree that this is the best health insurance seniors can get in Alabama.

You can learn more about Medicare supplements in Alabama on our Alabama Medicare supplements page.

Are There Disadvantages to Joining a Medicare Advantage Plan in Alabama?

The disadvantage of Medicare Advantage plans is the strength of Alabama Medigap plans. You see, when you take doctor choice out of the equation, the big difference between Medicare Advantage and Medigap is when you pay for services. It's that same no matter what type of Medicare Advantage plan you're evaluating (e.g., HMO, PPO, PFFS, Cost, or HSA).

Medicare Advantage plans have a monthly premium, but it's generally less than a Medicare supplement, and some plans even have a $0 premium. But, you also pay when you use health care. These are the copaymentsA copayment, also known as a copay, is a set dollar amount you are required to pay for a medical service.. It does not matter if you have a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plan or a Preferred Provider Plan (PPO). Most of your out-of-pocket costsOut-of-Pocket Costs for Medicare are the remaining costs that are not covered by the beneficiary's health insurance plan. These costs can come from the beneficiary's monthly premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. come when you use healthcare services.

With a Medicare supplement plan, you pay most of your costs in advance with monthly premiumsA premium is an amount that an insurance policyholder must pay for coverage. Premiums are typically paid on a monthly basis. In the federal Medicare program, there are four different types of premiums. . Depending on the level of coverage you choose, the plan can cover all of your copays, coinsurance, and deductiblesA deductible is an amount a beneficiary must pay for their health care expenses before the health insurance policy begins to pay its share. except the annual Part B deductible. This makes your monthly healthcare costs more predictable, particularly if you have serious health problems.

Is it better to have Medicare Advantage in Alabama or Medigap?

1. If your budget allows, keep your Original Medicare benefits and a Medicare Supplement Plan FMedicare Supplement Plan F is the most comprehensive Medicare supplement plan available. This plan covers all Original Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments, leaving you with no out-of-pocket costs on all Medicare-approved services., G, or N. These are the top 3 best Medigap plans that can help you manage your out-of-pocket costs the best, giving you complete peace of mind.
2. If you are a healthy senior and have good health in your family heritage, Medigap Plan NMedicare Supplemental Plan N is one of the ten standardized Medigap plans. Although it is one of the newest plans available, Medicare Plan N is quickly becoming a favorite with Baby Boomers aging into their... will let you save money by sharing some costs when you see your doctor. The plan benefits are excellent, and pay just a little to see your doctor (up to $25 per visit).
3. If you are a healthy senior but you cannot afford a Medigap Plan F, G, or N, Medicare Advantage is a good choice. Both Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage cover preventive care at no additional cost to keep you healthy
4. If you are turning age 65, have one or more chronic health conditions that require frequent doctor visits, and you do not qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid (dual eligible), the most Medigap coverage you can afford is the best option.
5. If you qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, regardless of your health condition, Medicare Advantage is your best option.
6. If you have special needs (i.e., a full-time nursing home resident, diabetes, etc.) and an appropriate Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan (SNP) is available, this is your best option.
7. With both Medigap and Medicare Advantage, you must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premiumThe Medicare Part B premium is the monthly charge paid by beneficiaries for their outpatient medical care, services, and supplies. A beneficiary's premium may be uplifted by an IRMAA surcharge if their income is above... (it typically comes straight out of your Social Security income, unless you're not yet taking it).
8. With Medicare supplement insurance, there are no service area restrictions. With Medicare Advantage, you must receive care within the plan's provider network unless you need emergency care.
9. Medicare Advantage plans have an enrollment period. You get an individual enrollment period when you're first eligible. After that, there's an annual enrollment periodThe Annual Enrollment Period is when Medicare beneficiaries can join, drop or change Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. AEP begins on 15 October and ends on 7 December. to switch plans or return to Original Medicare. Medigap plans do not have the same restrictions, but you can be turned down if you leave a Medigap plan and later want to come back. Medicare Advantage plans cannot generally turn you down as a Medicare supplement insurance company can.

References

medicare.gov

• Medicare.gov: the official U.S. government site for Medicare | Medicare http://www.medicare.gov/
• Find a Medicare plan https://www.medicare.gov/plan-compare/

ssa.gov

• Medicare Benefits | SSA https://www.ssa.gov/medicare/
• Extra HelpSocial Security's Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) program helps Medicare beneficiaries pay for their Medicare Part D prescription drugs by paying some of the costs. Also known as "Extra Help", beneficiaries who qualify for LIS receive premium... with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs | SSA https://www.ssa.gov/medicare/prescriptionhelp/
• Medicare Benefits | SSA https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/medicare/

cms.gov

• Five-Star Quality Rating System | CMS https://www.cms.gov/medicare/provider-enrollment-and-certification/certificat...
• https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/CMS-Forms/CMS-Forms/Downloads/CMS10106.pdf
• Medicare Open Enrollment | CMS https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Reach-Out/Find-tools-to-help-you-h...

This Medicare Advantage state information page was last updated on June 27, 2022.