Your Guide to Medicare Advantage in Calhoun County, AL
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Welcome to our comprehensive guide to Medicare Advantage Plans in Calhoun County, Alabama for 2025. With 22 plans available, it’s important to find the one that best suits your healthcare needs. This guide will help you explore and compare your options, providing all the information you need to make an informed decision.
Compare Medicare Advantage Plans in Calhoun County
Below is a complete list of Medicare Advantage Plans available in Calhoun County. Click on any plan to view full details, including benefits, coverage, and costs.
Calhoun 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 Giveback Choice* | PPO | $0 | $9,350 | $590 | |
Aetna Medicare Value Plus* | PPO | $10 | $9,350 | $590 | |
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 | |
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 | |
**Certain PFFS, MSA, and HMO-POS plans have a combined in and out-of-network maximum. Limits are detailed on the plan pages. |
Overview of Medicare Advantage Plans
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 22 plans available to you in Calhoun 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): Medicare Advantage HMO Plans require members to use a specific network of doctors and hospitals in Calhoun County and usually requires referrals for specialist care. HMOs tend to be more affordable but come with restrictions on provider choice.
- 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): Allows members to visit any Medicare-approved doctor or hospital in Calhoun County that accepts the plan's payment terms. Medicare PFFS plans offer more flexibility but may result in higher costs.
- Medicare Savings Account (MSA): Features a high-deductible Medicare Advantage plan and a savings account where the plan deposits money. You can use these funds for qualified medical expenses before you reach the deductible. The MSA is ideal for those who want more control over their healthcare spending, with the potential to save money if account funds are not spent.
You may also have access to HMO-POS plans, which are a more flexible version of the traditional Medicare Advantage HMO plan. These plans still require you to use a network of providers and often need referrals for specialist visits. However, the key difference with a Medicare Advantage HMO-POS plan is that it gives you the option to receive some healthcare services outside the network, albeit with higher out-of-pocket costs.
Benefits of Medicare Advantage Plans
Medicare Advantage Plans, also known as Part C, provide several key advantages over Original Medicare. Bundle up your healthcare with plans that cover Medicare Parts A and B, plus some extras like prescription meds, dental care, and vision services - it's a package deal! Medicare Advantage can be a smart choice if you want to maximize your healthcare dollars and enjoy extras like additional services and lower out-of-pocket costs.
Here are some of the top advantages these plans offer Calhoun County residents:
- Coordinated Care: Plans often include care coordination services, which helps you manage your healthcare across different providers and services.
- Cost Savings: Many plans have low or $0 premiums and offer capped out-of-pocket costs, providing financial protection against high medical expenses.
- Comprehensive Coverage: Includes Medicare Part A, Part B, and often Part D (prescription drug coverage), along with additional benefits like dental, vision, and hearing.
- Wellness Programs: Many Calhoun County plans offer free gym memberships, wellness programs, and preventive care services. You need to stay healthy, right?
Choosing the Right Medicare Advantage Plan
When it comes to selecting from the 22 Medicare Advantage Plans available in Calhoun County, it’s important to focus on these critical factors:
- Provider Network: Confirm that your doctors and preferred healthcare facilities are in the plan's network to avoid out-of-network charges.
- Prescription Drug Coverage: Review the plan's drug coverage to ensure it meets your needs, particularly for any specialty medications.
- Costs: Compare the overall costs, including premiums, copayments, and maximum out-of-pocket expenses, to find a plan that fits within your budget.
- Additional Benefits: Determine which additional benefits are offered and how they align with your personal health and wellness needs.
- Plan Ratings: Research the plan’s star ratings to understand its effectiveness, quality of care, and member satisfaction.
Find out how to effectively compare Medicare Advantage Plans and make an informed choice.
Enrolling in Medicare Advantage Plans
Enrolling in a Medicare Advantage Plan is a straightforward process, but timing is crucial to ensure you don't miss out on the benefits. Understanding when you can enroll will help you take full advantage of the options available in Calhoun County.
- Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): This is your first opportunity to enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan when you first become eligible for Medicare. Your Initial Enrollment Period lasts for seven months, starting three months before your 65th birthday.
- Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): Occurs every year from October 15 to December 7. During the Annual Enrollment Period, you can switch, drop, or join a Medicare Advantage Plan.
- Open Enrollment Period (OEP): From January 1 to March 31, you can switch Medicare Advantage plans or return to Original Medicare if you’re already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan.
For more detailed information on the enrollment periods and how to enroll, visit our comprehensive guide on Medicare Advantage Plan Enrollment.
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 Calhoun 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
- MedicareWire.com, "What is Medicare Advantage?", Last Accessed 11 April, 2023
- CMS.gov, "Special Needs Plans (SNP)", Last Accessed 24 May, 2024
- Medicare.gov, "Learn How Medigap Works", Last Accessed 1 July, 2024