Medicare Advantage Plans, Essex County, VA, 2024
We reviewed the top 28 Medicare Advantage Plans available in Essex County, Virginia for 2024. Here's what we learned:
Key Facts
- The average premium is $9.93 per month.[3]
- The average out-of-pocket limit is $5,964 per year.[3]
- The average drug plan deductible (for plans that include Part D) is $163.33 per year.[3]
- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) rated 59% of all plans available in Essex County 4 stars or higher.[3]
- There are no 5-star plans available.
- There are 4 plan types to choose from, including PPO, HMO-POS, PFFS, HMO, and possibly SNP plans (see: Essex County, VA Medicare Special Needs Plans.
Essex County, Virginia Medicare Advantage Plans
Plan Name | Type | Premium | MOOP | Rx Ded. | Rating |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Humana USAA Honor* | PPO | $0 | $8,850 | N/A | |
HumanaChoice H5216-027* | PPO | $68 | $7,550 | $265 | |
HumanaChoice H5216-152* | PPO | $0 | $3,400 | N/A | |
HumanaChoice H5216-266* | PPO | $0 | $5,400 | $0 | |
HumanaChoice H5216-308* | PPO | $0 | $8,300 | $0 | |
HumanaChoice H5216-312* | PPO | $0 | $2,900 | $0 | |
HumanaChoice H5216-363* | PPO | $39 | $7,550 | $545 | |
AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC VA-0018 | PPO | $0 | $6,900 | $0 | |
Aetna Medicare Eagle | PPO | $0 | $4,900 | N/A | |
Aetna Medicare Essential Plan | PPO | $18 | $5,400 | $300 | |
Aetna Medicare Premier Plan | PPO | $0 | $7,900 | $150 | |
Aetna Medicare Select Plan | HMO-POS | $0 | $4,900 | $0 | |
Aetna Medicare SmartFit | PPO | $0 | $3,650 | $250 | |
Humana Gold Choice H8145-004 | PFFS | $0 | $160 | ||
Humana Gold Plus H6622-083 | HMO | $0 | $3,650 | $0 | |
Humana Gold Plus H6622-085 | HMO | $39 | $6,400 | $545 | |
AARP Medicare Advantage from UHC VA-0006 | PPO | $0 | $8,300 | $0 | |
AARP Medicare Advantage Patriot No Rx VA-MA01 | PPO | $0 | $7,500 | N/A | |
Humana Gold Choice H8145-042 | PFFS | $0 | N/A | ||
Humana USAA Honor | PPO | $0 | $7,550 | N/A | |
HumanaChoice R1390-001 | PPO | $0 | $6,350 | N/A | |
HumanaChoice R1390-002 | PPO | $105 | $7,550 | $480 | |
Anthem Medicare Advantage | PPO | $0 | $7,550 | $95 | |
Anthem Veteran | PPO | $0 | $6,700 | N/A | |
Sentara Medicare Salute | HMO | $0 | $3,400 | N/A | |
Sentara Medicare Value | HMO | $0 | $3,300 | $150 | |
Clear Spring Health Essential | HMO | $0 | $3,250 | $0 | |
*Recognized as one of the top-rated Medicare Advantage plans available in Virginia based on the most recent CMS performance ratings.[4] **Certain PFFS, MSA, and HMO-POS plans have a combined in and out-of-network maximum. Limits are detailed on the plan pages. |
Essex County, VA
Medicare Advantage Plan Information
In County, Essex, Medicare Advantage (MA) plans offer a distinct option for people on Medicare. These plans, also referred to as Medicare Part C, are provided by private companies authorized by Medicare, adhering to stringent regulations. Presently, there are 28 MA plans available (not including Special Needs Plans). Many deliver supplementary benefits beyond what Original Medicare provides.
Prescription medication coverage is one of the most popular additional benefits. These plans are also known as Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans (MAPDs). These Essex County plans offer people on Medicare comprehensive coverage that can help them reduce their out-of-pocket costs.
Medicare Advantage plans in Virginia with a star rating of 4.0 or higher are often the plans people consider first. See: medicarewire.com/medicare-advantage/virginia/
Types of MA Plans in Essex County
Medicare allows 7 distinct types of private health plans, although the availability of these plans may vary by location. In Essex County, people on Medicare (beneficiaries) can select from 4 out of the 7 plan types, which are as follows:
Plan Type | Description |
---|---|
HMO | Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) members usually receive services through the plan's local network of providers. Referrals are typically required to see a specialist and other providers. However, plans allow out-of-network care for emergencies and out-of-area dialysis. Prescription drug coverage is often included in HMO plans, and many plans include some coverage for dental, vison, and hearing. |
PPO | Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) members can usually use in-network and out-of-network providers for care, including hospitalization. However, visits to non-network providers could cost significantly more. PPO plans often include prescription drug coverage and other benefits, and referrals are typically not required for specialist visits. |
PFFS | Private fee-for-service plans set the amount a healthcare facility or doctor will be paid. Members can seek care from any provider within or outside their network that accepts the plan's terms. Some PFFS plans include prescription drug coverage. Members may also be eligible for coverage through standalone Medicare drug plans (Part D). |
HMO-POS | An HMO-POS (point-of-sale) plan offers the same features as an HMO plan. There is however one major difference. HMO-POS plans allow members to access healthcare providers outside of the plan's network to receive some or all of their services. In most cases, to go out of the plan's network a member will need to get a referral from their physician. Plus, there are separate deductibles for in-network and out-of-network services. |
SNP |
See below. |
Getting Enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan
Most people with Medicare in Virginia qualify to join a Medicare Advantage plan. The availability of plans in your area that meet your needs may be the determining factor.
There are several different Medicare Election Periods. This is when you can join or change your plan elections. Most people wait until October 15 to December 7 to make changes. This is the Annual Enrollment Period.
There's also an Individual Election Period (IEP) that you can use once. Your IEP is a 7-month period of time around your 65th birthday. It begins three months before you turn 65 and ends three months later. If you have Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), your IEP begins on the 25th month.
Adding Prescription Drug Coverage
Some individuals may be eligible to join a standalone prescription drug plan. Otherwise known as a PDP or Part D plan, a standalone prescription drug plan adds prescription coverage to Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans that do not include coverage for prescriptions.
It’s important to note that health plans that include prescription drug coverage may disenroll members who sign up for a separate drug plan. You cannot be enrolled in plans with overlapping benefits.
An Option to Medicare Advantage
If you are worried that your Medicare Advantage plan options in Essex County may not meet your needs, or that Medicare Advantage plans are bad, inconvenient, or will limit your services, there is another way to get more coverage. There are Medicare Supplements available in Virginia, as well as Medicare prescription drug plans. These work hand-in-hand with your Original Medicare to give you more coverage and more flexibility.
If you're not familiar with Medigap policies, and how they protect you from out-of-pocket costs in Original Medicare, please review our Medicare Supplement directory, where you can learn about and compare Medigap plans. All Medigap plans are standardized. That means you can choose the plan you need based on the best price without worrying about the benefits.
NOTE: If you choose a Medicare Advantage plan you cannot buy a Medicare Supplement for additional coverage. Medicare Supplements only work with Original Medicare.
Special Needs Plans (SNP) in Essex County
Many people on Medicare have unique health plan needs. This includes institutional care, care for chronic diseases, and access to both Medicare and Medicaid. Consider a Medicare Advantage Special Care Plan (SNP) if you or your loved one has one or more of these special needs.
MedicareWire has a special directory for Essex County, Virginia Special Needs Plans. Although managed under the Medicare Advantage program, SNP plans are designed specifically for three types of people:
- People on Medicare in a nursing home or receiving skilled nursing care at home;
- People on Medicare with both Medicare and Medicaid benefits; and
- People on Medicare with certain chronic health conditions.
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 Dunnsville, Tappahannock, and all other areas of Essex County, Virginia.
Plans Offered
Medicare Advantage and Part D plans and benefits offered by the following carriers: Aetna Medicare, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aspire Health Plan, Dean Health Plan, Devoted Health, GlobalHealth, Health Care Service Corporation, Cigna Healthcare, Humana, Molina Healthcare, Mutual of Omaha, Premera Blue Cross, Medica Central Health Plan, SCAN Health Plan, Scott and White Health Plan now part of Baylor Scott & White Health, UnitedHealthcare(R), and Wellcare.
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, 2022
- Medicare.gov, "Special Needs Plans (SNP)", Last Accessed 11 June, 2023
- Medicare.gov, "How to compare Medigap policies", Last Accessed 1 June, 2023
[3]Data & Statistics
The data presented on this page is derived from the 2024 Landscape Source Files and the Part C and D Performance Data published by CMS.
The average premium, average out-of-pocket limit, and average drug plan deductible statistics for Essex County, Virginia are derived from the most recent Landscape Source Files, excluding employer, MMP and SNP plans. MedicareWire publishes Special Needs Plans here.
Star rating statistics are derived from the most recent Part C and D Performance Data, excluding employer, MMP, SNP, and plans that have not yet been rated by CMS.
[4]Highest-Rated Medicare Advantage Plans
CMS publishes the Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D Star Ratings each year to measure the quality of health and drug services received by people on Medicare in Essex County. MedicareWire highlights plans rated 4.0 or better as "highest-rated" or "top-rated" because they received the overall highest summary rating from CMS. According to CMS, "The Star Ratings system helps Medicare consumers compare the quality of Medicare health and drug plans being offered so they are empowered to make the best health care decisions for them."