Medicare Advantage Plans work because they are supposed to keep patients healthy. In reality, the plan receives a certain amount of money for each person in the plan and it's in the plan's best interest to not spend money on patient's if they avoid it...because the less spent the more profit they make. That said, they are still obligated to provide the necessary health care to a patient, but they aren't obligated to go beyond what is strictly necessary. The main problem with Advantage Plans is you CANNOT choose to go to any facility or doctor you wish UNLESS they are inside the plans network.
We have traditional medicare with an AARP supplemental plan that covers all of our expenses the traditional medicare won't pay. We've had this plan for over 10 years now. So beyond our monthly premiums we pay zero dollars for healthcare. This works for us...we can go anwhere we choose and have any doctor we choose and it's completely covered...no issues.
I am a former healthcare provider and I would never recommend anyone get an Advantage Plan unless they simply cannot afford regular medicare with a supplemental plan attached. You lose too much control of your healthcare...and you are your best advocate...not someone else.
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