Compare Medicare Advantage Plans in Florida

Florida Medicare Advantage Plans Explained

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. covers about 80% of all major medical costs. It does not cover minor medical for things like vision, hearing, dental, and it does not offer prescription drug coverage. The 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). available in Florida can include minor medical benefits but are not required to. Most do include coverage for your prescriptions. To get a Medicare Advantage health plan (also known as Part C of Medicare) you must first 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 Part B benefits.

Many people love the extra benefits they get with their MA plan, particularly a prescription drug plan. However, before you jump in with both feet, take the time to fully understand the trade-offs. The extra benefits and perks are nice, but they come at a cost. Specifically, when you become a Medicare Advantage plan member in Florida you are agreeing to accept the plan's managed care health system. As an MA plan member, you agree to let the insurance plan be a gatekeeper and fully control your access to doctors and other healthcare providers.

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

The big differences between Original Medicare coverage and what you get with a Medicare Advantage plan in Florida are easy to see by pointing out the pros and cons. Neither type of insurance is perfect. They each suit different needs.

Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare: The Pros and Cons

1. Doctor Choice:
• Medicare Advantage: Must use healthcare providers within the plan's network.
• Original Medicare: Use any Medicare-approved provider you choose.
2. Copays, CoinsuranceCoinsurance is a percentage of the total you are required to pay for a medical service.  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.:
• Medicare Advantage: Each plan can charge what they want for copays and coinsurance, making it challenging to compare actual costs.
• Original Medicare: Coinsurance and deductibles are predictable and you can get a Medicare supplement to help pay these costs.
3. Out-of-Pocket Limits:
• Medicare Advantage: You're protected by the plan's annual maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limit. Once you reach this spending limit the plan pays all additional copays and coinsurance for the rest of the year.
• Original Medicare: No out-of-pocket limit.
4. Prescriptions:
• Medicare Advantage: Most plans come bundled with a 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.
• Original Medicare: You must buy a stand-alone Medicare Part D plan.
5. Travel:
• Medicare Advantage: You're covered for travel emergencies within the USA but not for routine doctor visits outside of your home county.
• Original Medicare: You're covered anywhere you go in the USA and its territories.
6. Eligibility :
• There are eligibility requirements with Medicare Advantage plans. For example, you must have both Medicare Part A 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. 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.

Florida Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage

Three of the most common questions we get from Florida 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 Florida Medicare Advantage Plans are Bad

First things first. Medicare Advantage plans are not bad. More than 20% of all Medicare beneficiaries choose enrollment in a Medicare Advantage plan. But, it's not for everyone. Before you enroll, learn the disadvantages of these plans if you are a senior in Florida.

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 Medicare, 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 premiumA 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. . Most experts agree that this is the best health insurance seniors can get in Florida.

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

What are the Disadvantages of Florida Medicare Advantage Plans?

We have already highlighted the issue of doctor choice in Medicare Advantage. If this is not an issue for you, then consider the financial differences. These are the same regardless of the type of plan you're evaluating (e.g., HMO, PPO, PFFS, Cost, or HSA).

With most Medicare Advantage plans you pay a little each month (the monthly premium) and copaymentsA copayment, also known as a copay, is a set dollar amount you are required to pay for a medical service. when you use medical services. It does not matter if you have a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plan or a Preferred Provider Plan (PPO). You pay the majority of your costs when you use health services.

With most Medigap plans you pay most of your costs upfront with your monthly premium. As a result, your costs (e.g., the deductible) are more predictable than they might be if you have Medicare Advantage and use a lot of healthcare services

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

• If you can afford Medigap 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. or G, then keep your Original Medicare and add one of these supplements. These plans help you manage 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. the best, giving you complete peace-of-mind.
• 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).
• 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
• 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.
• If you qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, regardless of your health condition, Medicare Advantage is your best option.
• 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.
• 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).
• 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.
• 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 go back 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.

Frequently Asked Questions About Florida Medicare Advantage Plans

Compare the Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Florida by County

Citations & References

medicare.gov

• Medicare.gov: the official U.S. government site for Medicare | Medicare http://www.medicare.gov/
• Medicare.gov: the official U.S. government site for Medicare | Medicare https://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...

The Medicare Advantage plan information on this page is maintained by David Bynon and was last updated on January 4, 2022.