Compare Medicare Advantage Plans in Louisiana

Louisiana Medicare Advantage Plans Explained

The advantages of Medicare Advantage (MA) health plans are found in what they can cover that Original Medicare cannot. Specifically, the MA plans (aka, Part C of Medicare) available in Louisiana can include minor healthcare benefits such as prescription drug coverage, vision, hearing, dental, fitness, telehealth, and more. In contrast, Original Medicare only covers major medical healthcare services. To join a plan you must first be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B.

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 Louisiana 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.

Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage in Louisiana

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

The Pros and Cons of Louisiana Medicare Advantage Plans vs Original Medicare

• When you have Original Medicare you are free to use any Medicare-approved doctor you choose. When you join a Medicare Advantage plan, your choices are limited to the plan's network of Louisiana providers.
• If you travel frequently or you are a snowbird and winter or summer in another state, your Original Medicare coverage remains the same. It goes where you go. This is not true with Louisiana 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)...., which are only required to cover you if you have a medical emergencyWhen you believe you have an injury or illness that requires immediate medical attention to prevent a disability or death.....
• With OriginalMedicare there are no limits on 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..... However, all Louisiana Medicare Advantage plans have an annual maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limit. If you reach the MOOP spending limit on your copays and coinsuranceCoinsurance is a percentage of the total you are required to pay for a medical service. ..., the plan picks up the tab for the remainder of the year.
• If you want prescription coverage and have Original Medicare you must purchase 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. However, most Medicare Advantage plans include a Louisiana Medicare Part D plan. Just be aware that a stand-alone Part D plan gives you the best opportunity to get your most expensive prescriptions at the lowest cost.
• In the Medicare Advantage program, the government allows plans to set their own copays and coinsurance for each healthcare service offered. This makes comparing plans difficult, at best. However, in the Original Medicare system deductiblesA deductible is an amount a beneficiary must pay for their health care expenses before the health insurance policy begins to pay its share.... and coinsurance are fixed, making them predictable. Plus, you can get a Medigap plan to help pay these costs.
• There are eligibility requirements with Medicare Advantage plans. For example, you must have both Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B 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.

Louisiana Medicare Advantage Plans vs. Medigap

We're frequently asked:

• Why are Medicare Advantage plans bad?
• What are the disadvantages of Medicare Advantage plans in Louisiana?
• Is it better to have Medicare Advantage or Medigap?

Let's take just a minute to dispel any misconception that these plans are bad or might have serious disadvantages.

Why Louisiana Medicare Advantage Plans are Bad

This is a myth. There's nothing wrong with Medicare Advantage plans. In fact, over 20 percent of all Medicare beneficiaries in Louisiana choose Medicare Advantage enrollment over 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.....

What you really need to know is that these plans are not for everyone, and for some Louisiana seniors they are a disadvantage. Some people are better served with Original Medicare and a Medicare supplement. The question is, which option is best for you?

In particular, if you have one or more chronic conditions, Original Medicare could be a better option because you have the ability to choose your doctors. 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.... believes that Medicare Advantage is the best option for healthy people, people with Medicare Advantage retiree benefits, and for people 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.....

Conversely, Original Medicare and a Medicare supplement work best for people with chronic health conditions (based on overall cost), as well as those who can afford a higher monthly premium, even when they are well.

You can check out supplemental Medicare insurance in Louisiana on our Louisiana Medicare supplements page.

The Disadvantage of Medicare Advantage Plans if You Live in Louisiana

As you have already read, both Medicare Advantage and traditional Medicare have their benefits. But the two types of coverage are apples and oranges. However, if you remove the issue of doctor choice from the equation, the primary difference is when and how you pay. This fact remains the same no matter what type of Medicare Advantage plan you are considering (e.g., HMO, PPO, PFFS, Cost, or HSA).

Medicare Advantage plans have a monthly premium, but it's generally less than a Medicare supplement, and some plans even have a $0 premium. But, you also pay when you use health care. These are the copaymentsA copayment, also known as a copay, is a set dollar amount you are required to pay for a medical service..... It does not matter if you have a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plan or a Preferred Provider Plan (PPO). Most of your out-of-pocket costs come when you use healthcare services.

With a Medicare supplement plan you pay most of your costs in advance with monthly premiumsA 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. .... Depending on the level of coverage you choose, the plan can cover all of your copays, coinsurance, and deductibles except the annual Part B deductible. This makes your monthly healthcare costs more predictable, particularly if or when you have serious health problems.

Which is Best in Louisiana, Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement Insurance?

• 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 costs 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 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.... 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 Louisiana Medicare Advantage Plans

Compare the Best Medicare Advantage Plans in Louisiana 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 October 6, 2021.