Blog Posts Related to Medicare Advantage

On this page, you will find blog posts related to Medicare Advantage plans (Medicare Part C).

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Is it Better to Have Medicare Advantage or Medigap?

April 18, 2021

Here are the five top reasons that it's better to have a Medicare Advantage planMedicare 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)....:

Up-front costs (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. ...) are generally lower.
You may have more doctor choices in Medicare Advantage.
Plans are required to take you regardless of your health condition.
If you have both Medicare … [Read more...]

How to Compare Medicare Advantage Plans

April 9, 2021

One of the more common questions we get here at MedicareWire is, "How do I choose a Medicare Advantage plan?" In this article, we'll go over some of the most important aspects of private health plans and what you should look for. We'll also offer seven tips to help you find the best plan and get the … [Read more...]

Medicare Star Ratings: What They Mean & How to Use Them

April 9, 2021

Have you ever wondered what the Centers for Medicare and MedicaidMedicaid is a public health insurance program that provides health care coverage to low-income families and individuals in the United States.... Services (CMS) star ratings mean and how to use them to choose a health plan? In this MedicareWire article, we'll cover what you need to know and explain how we use the CMS 5-star rating system to help you choose a plan with the … [Read more...]

Does Medicare Cover Blood Tests?

March 15, 2021

Medicare covers many common laboratory tests and diagnostics needed to keep you healthy or diagnose a symptom. This includes many blood tests for things like hepatitis, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), triglycerides, cholesterol, lipids, and most preventive care lab tests. In this … [Read more...]

Medicare Advantage vs Medigap: Which is Best for You?

March 15, 2021

While shopping for Medicare health insurance, most people want to know "What is the big difference between Medicare supplements and Medicare advantage plans?" Medicare supplementMedicare 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.... insurance and 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).... are very different types of health insurance products, but they both attempt to … [Read more...]

What Is Medicare Part F?

March 12, 2021

The federal Medicare programMedicare is a federal health insurance program for people ages 65 and older and people with certain disabilities.... is a series of lettered (A, B, C, and D) health insurance programs available to people, age 65 and older, and certain adults with qualifying disabilities. Medicare Part AMedicare Part A is hospital inpatient coverage for people with Original Medicare, whereas Part B is medical coverage for doctor visits, tests, etc.... and Medicare Part BMedicare Part B is medical coverage for people with Original Medicare. It covers doctor visits, specialists, lab tests and diagnostics, and durable medical equipment. Part A is for hospital inpatient care.... (Original 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....) is provided directly by the government, whereas Medicare … [Read more...]

Is CMS Biased in Favor of Medicare Advantage?

November 15, 2020

While studying Medicare & You 2021: The official U.S. government Medicare handbook to look for changes coming in the new year (which you can download here), the MedicareWire staff began noticing language and diagrams that it felt would bias readers. In fact, once you start looking for it, you … [Read more...]

Brand New Day vs. 5-Star Kaiser Medicare Advantage in California

October 16, 2020

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).... expanded into dozens of new counties for the 2021 plan year. With the expansion in plans also came the news that the Centers for Medicare and 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.... (CMS) increased the maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limit from $6,700 to $7,550 per year.

However, several … [Read more...]

ZZZ-EXPIRED – 2020 Medicare Coverage & Benefits

July 7, 2020

What You Must Know to Avoid Financial Ruin & Get What You Deserve
Sixty million people (51 million seniors and 9 million adults with disabilities) use Medicare for their health insurance coverage. To understand what Medicare covers and how it provides coverage benefits, you need to know the … [Read more...]

Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplement: Which is Best for You?

February 12, 2020

Medicare SupplementMedicare 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.... vs. Medicare AdvantageMedicare 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 is Better?
Before 2003, when Medicare added the private health insurance option, known as Medicare Advantage, seniors only had two options: pay out-of-pocket or buy a Medicare supplement. Now there's anon-going debate as to which option is … [Read more...]

Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap: Which is Best for You?

December 3, 2019

In this MedicareWire article, we’ll do our best to help you understand which type of Medicare insurance is right for you. Our Medicare system is full of options, and deciding between Medicare AdvantageMedicare 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).... and a Medicare SupplementMedicare 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.... plan is a big decision.

Comparing Medicare Advantage and Medigap … [Read more...]

Medigap Plans K and N vs. Medicare Advantage Plans

November 27, 2019

It has long been assumed that 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).... are the way to go if you need a low monthly premium. The risk trade-off, of course, is higher out of pocket costs until you reach the annual spending limit. However, the 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. ... are so low on most of the basic plans that many seniors wonder, … [Read more...]

Review: Lasso Healthcare MSA Plans

November 10, 2019

In its recent study on 2020 Medicare Advantage planMedicare 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).... availability, MedicareWire discovered a sweeping expansion of Medical Savings Account (MSA) plans by Lasso Healthcare (Lasso). Offering plans in 1,151 counties in 2019, for the 2020 plan year Lasso operates in 26 states and the District of … [Read more...]

My Medicare Advantage Plan Is Not Offered In 2019. What do I Do?

October 15, 2018

I received a notice that my Medicare Advantage plan won't be available in 2019. What do I need to do?

This year, thousands of seniors received a notice from their Medicare AdvantageMedicare 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).... (MA) plan telling them that the insurance carrier will no longer be offering coverage in their area. If you … [Read more...]

7 Tips to Find the Best 2019 Medicare Advantage or Part D Plan

September 16, 2017

Medicare's 2018 Annual Election Period (AEP) is upon us. As with previous years, it begins on 15 October and ends on 7 December.

To help you make the best choices possible, here are seven tips that will make finding the best Medicare AdvantageMedicare 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).... or Medicare Part DMedicare Part D is Medicare's prescription drug plan program. Plans are offered by private insurance companies and cover outpatient prescriptions.... plan easier.
Tip 1: Compare and … [Read more...]