First, the Advantage plans are really Medicare Part C which is both parts A and B but instead of billing through the Medicare centers they are administered by a private insurance carrier. They may or may not include drug coverage, which you must have. You have to know if the plan is a PPO or HMO. The latter have prescribed doctors (a form of in-network) that you must use to be covered. PPO you can choose your doctor. But, even then, they may have lists of preferred doctors (in-network) who contract for payable rates. SHINE can explain all of this. The Medicare and You book you should receive every year has the information, but there is a lot to read through. Add all the choices for supplement plans (with individual required coverages) and which ones are currently offered to new enrollees, and you have a lot of info to digest. It's enough to give you indigestion!!
|