Your Guide to Medicare Advantage in Cherokee County, AL
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In Cherokee County, Alabama, there are 32 Medicare Advantage Plans available for the 2025. From basics to specialized care, each of the 32 plans caters to distinct health needs and priorities. Our guide will help you weigh your options so you can make an informed decision.
Available Medicare Advantage Plans in Cherokee County, Alabama
Below is a complete list of Medicare Advantage Plans available in Cherokee County. Click on any plan to view full details, including benefits, coverage, and costs.
Cherokee 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 | |
| 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. | |||||
What Are Medicare Advantage Plans?
Medicare Advantage Plans, also known as Medicare Part C, are private health plans that provide all-in-one coverage, including Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Medicare Part B (medical insurance). On top of the core benefits, many of the plans in Cherokee County throw in some nice extras - think prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, and wellness programs - making them a solid choice for those in Mohave County looking for something more than Original Medicare.
- Health Maintenance Organization (HMO): Members must use the plan's network of doctors and hospitals in Cherokee 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): Offers more provider flexibility, allowing members to see any doctor or specialist without a referral, often at a higher cost. Medicare Advantage PPO Plans generally have higher premiums and out-of-pocket expenses compared to HMOs.
- Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS): With a PFFS plan, members can visit any Medicare-approved doctor or hospital in Cherokee 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
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 Cherokee County residents:
- Wellness Programs: Many plans provide free gym memberships, wellness programs, and preventive care services to help you maintain your health.
- Comprehensive Coverage: Includes Medicare Part A, Part B, and often Part D (prescription drug coverage), along with additional benefits like dental, vision, and hearing.
- Coordinated Care: Some plans include care coordination services that will help 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.
Tips for Selecting a Medicare Advantage Plan
Selecting the ideal Medicare Advantage Plan from the 32 plans available in Cherokee 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
Making sense of Medicare Advantage enrollment periods can seem overwhelming, but it's worth the effort for better health coverage. Missing these key dates could delay your coverage or limit your plan choices for 2025 in Cherokee County.
- 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 Cherokee 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, "Understanding Medicare Advantage Plans", Last Accessed 18 June, 2023
- MedicareWire.com, "Special Needs Plans", Last Accessed 15 June, 2024
- Medicare.gov, "How to compare Medigap policies", Last Accessed 1 June, 2024