Your Guide to Medicare Advantage in Blount County, AL
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For 2025, Blount County has 33 Medicare Advantage Plans tailored to fit various healthcare needs. Navigating these options can be challenging. We’re here to help. This guide provides the insights you need to choose the best plan for your health and budget.
Compare Medicare Advantage Plans in Blount County
Find your Medicare Advantage Plan options in Blount County below. Click on any of the 33 plans to access full details, including coverage and costs.
Blount County, Alabama Medicare Advantage Plans
| Plan Name | Type | Premium | MOOP | Rx Ded. | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aetna Medicare Eagle* | PPO | $0 | $7,900 | N/A | |
| Aetna Medicare Freedom* | PPO | $0 | $7,900 | $590 | |
| Aetna Medicare Value Plus* | PPO | $10 | $9,350 | $590 | |
| Cigna Courage Medicare* | HMO | $0 | $5,750 | N/A | |
| Cigna Preferred AL Medicare* | HMO | $0 | $8,850 | $0 | |
| Cigna Preferred Full Savings Medicare* | HMO | $0 | $5,750 | $0 | |
| Cigna Preferred Medicare* | HMO | $0 | $4,750 | $0 | |
| Cigna Preferred Plus Medicare* | HMO | $19 | $4,750 | $0 | |
| AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC AL-0003 | HMO-POS | $0 | $5,400 | $340 | |
| Blue Advantage Choice | PPO | $0 | $5,500 | $440 | |
| Blue Advantage Complete | PPO | $30 | $5,100 | $0 | |
| Blue Advantage Premier | PPO | $153 | $2,900 | $0 | |
| VIVA Medicare Plus | HMO | $0 | $9,350 | $300 | |
| VIVA Medicare Premier | HMO | $103 | $6,500 | $100 | |
| VIVA Medicare Prime | HMO | $53 | $7,500 | $200 | |
| VIVA Medicare Select | HMO | $0 | $9,350 | N/A | |
| AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC AL-0001 | HMO-POS | $0 | $5,900 | $420 | |
| AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC AL-0002 | HMO-POS | $32 | $4,500 | $340 | |
| AARP Medicare Advantage Patriot No Rx AL-MA01 | HMO-POS | $0 | $5,900 | N/A | |
| Devoted CORE Alabama | HMO | $0 | $5,500 | $590 | |
| Devoted GIVEBACK Alabama | HMO | $0 | $6,750 | $590 | |
| Humana Gold Plus H5619-089 | HMO | $0 | $6,100 | $590 | |
| Humana USAA Honor Giveback | PPO | $0 | $4,150 | N/A | |
| Humana Value Plus H5216-179 | PPO | $40 | $3,000 | $590 | |
| HumanaChoice H5216-368 | PPO | $10 | $3,000 | $590 | |
| HumanaChoice R0110-017 | Regional PPO | $0 | $4,850 | N/A | |
| HumanaChoice R0110-018 | Regional PPO | $86 | $6,700 | $590 | |
| Cigna True Choice Access Medicare | PPO | $0 | $5,800 | $0 | |
| Cigna True Choice Medicare | PPO | $0 | $4,600 | $0 | |
| Devoted CHOICE Alabama | PPO | $0 | $6,200 | $590 | |
| Devoted CHOICE GIVEBACK Alabama | PPO | $0 | $7,900 | $590 | |
| Devoted LIBERTY CHOICE Alabama | PPO | $0 | $7,900 | N/A | |
| **Certain PFFS, MSA, and HMO-POS plans have a combined in and out-of-network maximum. Limits are detailed on the plan pages. | |||||
Understanding Your Medicare Advantage Options
Medicare Advantage Plans, or Part C, are health plans provided by private insurers that offer all-in-one coverage, combining Medicare Part A (hospital coverage) and Part B (medical coverage). Many of the 33 plans available to you in Blount County also include additional benefits like prescription drug coverage, as well as dental, vision, and wellness services, offering a more comprehensive package than Original Medicare.
- Health Maintenance Organization (HMO): Members must use the plan's network of doctors and hospitals in Blount County, and typically need a referral to see a specialist. Some Medicare Advantage HMO Plans may have lower costs but offer less flexibility in choosing healthcare providers.
- Preferred Provider Organization (PPO): PPO Plans provide greater flexibility in choosing healthcare providers, allowing members to see specialists without a referral. However, PPOs generally come with higher premiums and out-of-pocket costs.
- Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS): With a PFFS plan, members can visit any Medicare-approved doctor or hospital in Blount County that agrees to the plan’s terms and payment rates. PFFS plans provide more freedom in provider choice but can come with higher costs.
- Medicare Savings Account (MSA): This plan pairs a high-deductible Medicare Advantage plan with a savings account that the plan funds. You can use the money in the savings account to pay for healthcare expenses before meeting your deductible. Any unused funds roll over year to year, offering a way to manage healthcare costs with greater flexibility.
You may also have Medicare HMO-POS plans available. It's a type of HMO that offers a little more more flexibility. Like a regular HMO, you typically use the plan's network of doctors and hospitals for care, usually requiring a referral to see specialists. However, an HMO-POS plan lets you receive certain healthcare services outside of the network at a higher cost.
Advantages of Enrolling in Medicare Advantage
Many Medicare Advantage Plans offer extra benefits that go beyond Original Medicare, making them an attractive option for some people. These plans provide comprehensive coverage, often including additional services like prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, and wellness programs, all bundled into one plan. By choosing a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can simplify your healthcare and potentially save on costs.
Take a look at the main benefits provided by Medicare Advantage Plans in Blount County:
- Cost Savings: Many plans have low or $0 premiums and offer capped out-of-pocket costs, providing financial protection against high medical expenses.
- Wellness Programs: Many plans offer gym memberships, wellness programs, and preventive care services to help maintain your health.
- Coordinated Care: Plans often include care coordination services, helping manage your healthcare across different providers and services.
- Comprehensive Coverage: Includes Medicare Part A, Part B, and often Part D (prescription drug coverage), along with additional benefits like dental, vision, and hearing.
Tips for Selecting a Medicare Advantage Plan
Selecting the ideal Medicare Advantage Plan from the 33 plans available in Blount County involves evaluating several crucial aspects:
- Provider Network: Ensure your healthcare providers are within the plan's network to maintain continuity of care.
- Prescription Drug Coverage: Confirm that your current medications are included in the plan's formulary to avoid higher out-of-pocket costs.
- Costs: Assess the plan’s premium, deductible, and out-of-pocket expenses. The ideal plan aligns with both your financial situation and your healthcare needs.
- Additional Benefits: Identify any additional benefits that are important to you, such as fitness programs, routine dental, or over-the-counter medication benefits, and ensure the plan includes them.
- Plan Ratings: If a plan offers the benefits you need at a price you can afford, be sure to check its CMS star ratings. This will help you avoid plans with known problems, like poor customer service.
Discover the key factors to consider when comparing Medicare Advantage Plans.
Understanding the Medicare Advantage Enrollment Process
Knowing when and how to enroll in a Blount County Medicare Advantage Plan is key to getting the healthcare coverage you need. Here’s a quick overview of the enrollment opportunities available to you in for 2025.
- Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): The IEP is a seven-month window surrounding your 65th birthday, allowing you to sign up for a Medicare Advantage Plan as soon as you become eligible for Medicare.
- Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): The AEP runs from October 15 to December 7 each year, giving you the opportunity to change, drop, or enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan.
- Open Enrollment Period (OEP): Between January 1 and March 31, if you’re already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can switch plans or revert to Original Medicare.
To learn more about the enrollment periods and steps to take, check out our comprehensive Medicare Enrollment guide.
Plan Availability
The MA and MAPD plans on this page are available to people on Medicare enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B living in and all other areas of Blount County, Alabama.
Plans Offered
Medicare Advantage and Part D plans and benefits offered by the following carriers: Aetna Medicare, Anthem Blue Cross, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Aspire Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Capital Blue Cross, Cigna Healthcare, Dean Health Plan, Devoted Health, Florida Blue Medicare, Freedom Health, GlobalHealth, Health Care Service Corporation, Healthy Blue, HealthSun, Humana, Molina Healthcare, Mutual of Omaha, Medica Central Health Plan, Optimum HealthCare, Premera Blue Cross, SCAN Health Plan, Simply, UnitedHealthcare(R), Wellcare, WellPoint.
Citations & References
- CMS.gov, "2024 Medicare Part C Landscape Source Files", Last Accessed October 14, 2023
- CMS.gov, "2024 Part C and D Performance Data", Last Accessed October 14, 2023
- Medicare.gov, "Types of Medicare Advantage Plans", Last Accessed 17 May, 2023
- CMS.gov, "Special Needs Plans (SNP)", Last Accessed 24 May, 2024
- Medicare.gov, "What's Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)?", Last Accessed 22 May, 2024