VNSNY CHOICE EasyCare Plus (D-SNP HMO) A 2022 Suffolk County, New York Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan
VNSNY CHOICE EasyCare Plus is a D-SNP Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan (HMO), from VNSNY CHOICE, that's available in Suffolk County, New York. It offers all of the same basic benefits as Original Medicare, plus some additional benefits that 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 do not cover, but 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. are different.
Key Takeaways
- This is a Medicare Special Needs Plan, with a HMO provider network, exclusively for people with Medicare and MedicaidMedicaid is a public health insurance program that provides health care coverage to low-income families and individuals in the United States. benefits (dual-eligibleDual-eligible beneficiaries are those who receive both Medicare and Medicaid benefits. It includes beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Part A and/or Part B while receiving full Medicaid and/or financial assistance through a Medicare Savings Program....).
- This is not a zero-dollar D-SNP cost-sharing plan. Members have small copays on some Medicare-approved healthcare services.
- To qualify, you must live in Suffolk County and have both Medicare Part A and Part B. Plus, you must qualify for full Medicaid.
- VNSNY CHOICE EasyCare Plus includes 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... prescription drug plan.
- The annual Part D deductible is $480.00. You pay this amount before cost-sharing begins.
- If you qualify for the Social Security "Extra Help" program you can get financial assistance to help pay your Medicare Part D monthly premium, annual deductible, and prescription copaymentsA copayment, also known as a copay, is a set dollar amount you are required to pay for a medical service..
- VNSNY CHOICE EasyCare Plus provides the same coverage benefits as Medicare Part A and Part B (Original Medicare) and includes some extra benefits not covered by Original Medicare.
- If you are not qualifed to enroll, one of the 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.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 Suffolk County, New York might be your best option.
| Plan Basics | |
|---|---|
| Plan ID: | H5549-011-0 |
| Plan Type: | D-SNP |
| Network Type: | HMO |
| Plan Year: | 2022 |
| Premium: | $42.40/mo Plus your Part B premium. |
| Health Plan Deductible: | $0.00 |
| Out-of-Pocket Maximum: | $7,550 In-networkDoctors, hospitals, pharmacies, and other healthcare providers that agree to health plan members' services and supplies at a set price are in-network providers. With some health plans, your care is only covered if you get... |
| Drug Plan Benefit: | Basic $480.00 deductible |
| Rx Gap Coverage: | No Gap Coverage |
| Supplemental Benefits: | Vision, Hearing |
| Availability: | Suffolk County, New York |
| Insured By: | VNSNY CHOICE |
Health Plan Costs & Benefits
VNSNY CHOICE EasyCare Plus is a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plan. HMO plan members usually receive health care services through the plan’s local network of providers. Referrals are almost always required to see a specialist and other providers. However, VNSNY CHOICE EasyCare Plus does allow out-of-network care for emergencies and out-of-area dialysis.
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. , 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 copays vary widely from plan to plan. It is very important to compare costs and apply them to your personal financial and healthcare needs.
Monthly Premium
VNSNY CHOICE EasyCare Plus's total monthly premium in Suffolk County is $42.40. This includes your prescription coverage, as well. Plus, you must continue to pay your monthly 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....
Annual Deductible
VNSNY CHOICE EasyCare Plus's annual health plan deductible is $0.00. This does not include the deductible for the prescription drug plan (if any), which is detailed below.
Maximum Out-of-Pocket Limit
The Maximum Out-of-Pocket (MOOP) with this VNSNY CHOICE plan is $7,550 in-network. Unlike Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans must set an annual Maximum Out-of-Pocket (MOOP) limit on inpatient and outpatient healthcare services. Once you reach this amount of spending on your copayments, all of your Medicare Part A and Part B services will be covered at no additional charge for the remainder of the year. MOOP does not include monthly premiums, prescriptions, or other extra benefits.
Health Plan Out-of-Pocket Costs
The following table is a summary of the most common out-of-pocket costs you will incur if you join this VNSNY CHOICE plan:
| Healthcare Service | Member Cost |
|---|---|
| Health plan deductible | $0 |
| Maximum out-of-pocket enrollee responsibility (does not include prescription drugs) | $7,550 In-network |
| Doctor Visits | |
| Specialist | 0% or 20% coinsuranceCoinsurance is a percentage of the total you are required to pay for a medical service. per visit |
| Wellness programs (e.g., fitness, nursing hotline) | Covered |
| Preventive care | $0 copay |
| Mental Health Services | |
| Outpatient group therapy visit with a psychiatrist | 0% or 20% coinsurance (authorization required) |
| Outpatient individual therapy visit with a psychiatrist | 0% or 20% coinsurance (authorization required) |
| Outpatient individual therapy visit | 0% or 20% coinsurance (authorization required) |
| Outpatient group therapy visit | 0% or 20% coinsurance (authorization required) |
| Rehabilitation Services | |
| Occupational therapy visit | 0% or 20% coinsurance (authorization required) |
| Medical Equipment / Supplies | |
| Durable medical equipmentDurable medical equipment (DME) is equipment that is designed to last and can be used repeatedly. It is suitable for home use and includes wheelchairs, oxygen equipment, and hospital beds. (e.g., wheelchairs, oxygen) | 0% or 20% coinsurance per item (authorization required) |
| Diabetes supplies | $0 copay (authorization required) |
| Diagnostic Procedures / Lab Services / Imaging | |
| Diagnostic radiology services (e.g., MRI) | 0% or 20% coinsurance (authorization required) |
| Outpatient x-rays | 0% or 20% coinsurance (authorization required) |
| Diagnostic tests and procedures | 0% or 20% coinsurance (authorization required) |
| 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. Drugs | |
| Other Part B drugs | 0% or 20% coinsurance (authorization required) |
| Foot Care (podiatry Services) | |
| Routine foot care | $0 copay (authorization required, limits may apply) |
| Hearing | |
| Hearing exam | 0% or 20% coinsurance |
| Hearing aids | $0 copay (authorization required, limits may apply) |
| Preventive Dental | |
| Oral exam | Not covered |
| Fluoride treatment | Not covered |
| Cleaning | Not covered |
| Comprehensive Dental | |
| Endodontics | Not covered |
| Restorative services | $0 copay (limits may apply) |
| Non-routine services | Not covered |
| Periodontics | Not covered |
| Prosthodontics, other oral/maxillofacial surgery, other services | $0 copay (limits may apply) |
| Extractions | Not covered |
| Vision | |
| Eyeglass lenses | $0 copay (limits may apply) |
| Upgrades | Not covered |
| Routine eye exam | $0 copay (limits may apply) |
| Eyeglass frames | $0 copay (limits may apply) |
| Contact lenses | $0 copay (limits may apply) |
| Other | $0 copay (limits may apply) |
| Emergency Care / Urgent Care | |
| Emergency | 0% or 20% coinsurance per visit (always covered) |
| Ground ambulance | 0% or 20% coinsurance |
| Inpatient hospital coverage | Coming soon |
| Outpatient hospital coverage | 0% or 20% coinsurance per visit |
| Skilled Nursing Facility | Coming soon |
| Optional supplemental benefits | No |
Feel free to download our VNSNY CHOICE EasyCare Plus Summary of Benefits information.
Prescription Drug Plan Costs & Benefits
VNSNY CHOICE EasyCare Plus includes an basic benefit Medicare Part D plan (PDP). This simply means that the plan covers the minimum amount required by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid ServicesThe Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is the U.S. Federal agency that runs the Medicare, Medicaid, and Children’s Health Insurance Programs., whereas enhanced benefit plans cover more.
Basic plans typically have less cost-sharing by the plan than plans with an enhanced benefit. But, close to a third of all enhanced plans charge more than the average for preferred brand name drugs, and over 50% charge more for non-preferred brand drugs. For most people, a basic plan is their best bet, due to lower premiums and lower cost-sharing, even if the plan has a deductible.
Prescription Drug Plan Premium
Although the prescription drug plan (Part D) premium is bundled with the total plan cost, some plans have supplemental costs and/or offer low-income subsidySocial 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... (LIS) assistance. The following table outlines the prescription drug plan premium details of this plan.
| Basic Part D Premium: | $42.40 |
| Supplemental Part D Premium: | $0.00 |
| Total Part D Premium: | $42.40 |
| Part D Premium with Full LIS Assistance: | $0.00 |
| Part D Premium with 75% LIS Assistance: | $10.60 |
| Part D Premium with 50% LIS Assistance: | $21.20 |
| Part D Premium with 25% LIS Assistance: | $31.80 |
For more information about the Low-Income Subsidy (aka, "Extra Help") program, refer to the Social Security Extra Help page.
Prescription Drug Plan Deductible
The Medicare Part D annual deductible with this plan is $480.00. This is the amount you must pay at the pharmacy before VNSNY CHOICE begins paying its share.
Prescription Drug Plan Out-of-Pocket Costs
In addition to the plan's monthly premium and deductible, VNSNY CHOICE EasyCare Plus has copayments (a fixed dollar amount) and/or coinsurances (a percentage amount) that you must pay when you pick up your prescriptions. The following table shows you those costs.
| Tier | Preferred | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| $0 copay on all covered generic and brand-name prescriptions. | ||
Our Review & 2022 CMS Rating Marks
The table below shows the quality ratings for this VNSNY CHOICE plan. Each year CMS rates Medicare Special Needs Plans in nine broad categories. We do not recommend joining a plan with an overall rating of less than 3.0 (3 stars).
This D-SNP plan is one of the top performers in New York. In MedicareWire's opinion, VNSNY CHOICE EasyCare Plus does an excellent job keeping its Suffolk County, New York members healthy through its preventive care program with proactive screenings, tests, and vaccines. This plan does an excellent job (5 stars!) managing its member's chronic health conditions. The member experience with this VNSNY CHOICE plan is average. Complaints and changes in plan performance are one way we can measure quality, and this plan scores good at both. The plan shines at customer service with an overall excellent mark on this important metric.
| CMS Measure | Star Rating |
|---|---|
| 2022 Overall Rating | |
| Staying Healthy: Screenings, Tests, Vaccines | |
| Managing Chronic (Long Term) Conditions | |
| Member Experience with Health Plan | |
| Complaints and Changes in Plans Performance | |
| Health Plan Customer Service | |
| Drug Plan Customer Service | |
| Complaints and Changes in the Drug Plan | |
| Member Experience with the Drug Plan | |
| Drug Safety and Accuracy of Drug Pricing |
How to Qualify to Enroll in
VNSNY CHOICE EasyCare Plus
To qualify for enrollment in VNSNY CHOICE EasyCare Plus in Suffolk County, you must be eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. To be eligible for Medicare, you must be age 65 or older, or have Social Security Disability Insurance for 24 months. To be eligible for Medicaid, your income and assets must be at or below New York's state thresholds.
Before enrolling in VNSNY CHOICE EasyCare Plus, or any other dual-eligible SNP, be sure to ask the following questions:
- What costs should I expect to pay out-of-pocket (premiums, deductibles, copayments)?
- Will I be able to use my doctors? Are they in the plan's network?
- Are the plan's in-network providers and facilities in convenient locations?
- Does the plan provide coverage for services I receive from out-of-network providers?
- Do I need a referral to see a specialist?
- Are my medications on the Part D plan's formularyA formulary is a list of prescription drugs covered by a prescription drug plan or another insurance plan offering prescription drug benefits. Medications not on a plan's formulary are generally not covered.? What if I can't afford my medications?
- What special accommodations does the plan make for persons with disabilities?
- Does the plan offer free meal delivery after a stay in the hospital?
- What help is offered for caregivers? Is adult day care covered?
- Does the plan offer a prepaid card for over the counter medications and covered groceries?
Contact VNSNY CHOICE
| Plan Website: | http://www.vnsnychoice.org |
|---|---|
| Formulay Information: | http://www.vnsnychoice.org/ |
| Pharmacy Information: | VNSNY CHOICE Pharmacy Page |
| Prospective Members: | (866)783-1444 |
| TTY Users: | (711)- |
If you qualify for Medicare but have not yet enrolled or verified your enrollment status, you can do so on the Social Security Administration website. You can learn more about the Medicare Advantage program on www.medicare.gov.
Citations & References
- VNSNY CHOICE, http://www.vnsnychoice.org, Last Accessed October 15, 2021
- Medicaid.gov, "Medicaid & CHIP in New York", Last Accessed June 15, 2022
- CMS.gov, "Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs)", Last Accessed May 21, 2022
- CMS.gov, Landscape Source Files, Last Accessed October 26, 2021
- CMS.gov, Medicare Part C & D Performance, Last Accessed October 6, 2021
- CMS.gov, Plan Benefits Package, Last Accessed October 4, 2021
This Medicare Advantage SNP plan information page was last updated on .