It’s no secret that figuring out insurance plans and the intricacies of its coverage is a daunting, time-consuming, and often frustrating process. What is covered and what is not covered, what’s the cut-off age — these are all good questions. Being a senior however, avoiding these types of headaches is a major plus for health in terms of living without stress. Luckily, seniors can take advantage of the medicare advantage plan, a type of insurance that’s financed through contributions from workers and employers. Even those slightly below what’s considered a senior age can qualify, especially those with situations relating to kidney failure and other disabilities.
What is Medicare?
Medicare, which is the other side of the American health care system, is a medical insurance program administered by the United States government, which essentially covers those over 65 and the disabled, regardless of the declared income.
In Medicare, there’s a part called A (hospital insurance) and a part called B (medical insurance). Not registering for part B from the 3 months prior to the age of 65 until the 3 months following that date, there will be a penalty to pay, which consists of 10% per year for each year in which there is no registration. In addition to parts A and B, there are two other parts: part C, known as Medicare Advantage, which provides health care plans managed by private insurance companies recognized by Medicare. These plans bring benefits to parts A and B and their services and contribute to the payment of prescription pharmaceuticals. Part D, on the other hand, contributes to the payment of the expenses of the medicine, lowers the charges of the prescribed pharmaceuticals and protects against the increase in the fee of these pharmaceuticals.
What do the Medicare Advantage Plans cover?
Medicare Advantage plans (part C) are provided by private health insurance companies that cover, in addition to everything already covered in parts A and B (Original Medicare), also a series of additional services, such as, for example:
- routine dental care including cleaning, X-rays and prostheses;
- routine vision care including contact lenses and glasses;
- routine hearing aids;
- fitness benefits, including gymnastics classes.
In practice, Medicare Advantage Plan embraces gaps in Medicare Coverage. The most significant motivation to switch from a plan A or plan B to a plan C is benefiting from linked coverage insurance as well. This option allows to have more choices in healthcare coverage, which implies that it won’t be necessary to spend so much money on bills for the most pressing healthcare issues.
However, it’s important to know that there are significant differences between the Medicare Advantage Plans.
Surely, their common feature is that almost all provide similar types of insurance, but all plan has its benefits and guidance.
Dental Care
Medicare usually doesn’t provide insurance for dental fees at all. It implies paying the total fees of extractions, regular teeth cleanings, dentures, and fillings.
But the good news is that Medicare Advantage Plan can include dental care coverage. Adding this plan to an existing Medicare plan, can permit proper coverage for x-rays, extractions cleanings, and other basic general dental practices and charges can be totally covered. Adding coverage for further in-depth procedures is possible, such as root canals, bridges, dentures, and implants.
Hearing Aids
Hearing is unquestionably one of the most important fields of healthcare. Hearing aid coverages are not provided in the original Medicare plans, so it means people with hearing health issues should pay 100% of the fees of the medical services.
Though various Medicare Advantage plans provide excellent hearing coverage. Typically, the fees of routine hearing are covered, such as regular hearing check-ups, appropriate assessments for people who need hearing aids, and even the fees of the hearing aids themselves. Choosing the right plan might help to cover all expenses of medical hearing services.
Vision Care
With the original Medicare, eye examinations are covered only in case of having another medical case as well; otherwise, there will not be any eligibility for vision care insurance. It means that many people who wear glasses or often have eye examinations have to pay the full expenses by themselves.
Fortunately, numerous Medicare Advantage Plans provide regular vision coverage. It this way, usual eye examinations and the fees of the glasses can be covered. Opting for a beneficial Medicare plan can allow to have complete eye care insurance.
Prescription Medications
Almost everybody knows about a gap in healthcare services regarding prescription medication. Patients have complained about the inferior coverage and high-charges of pharmaceuticals primarily because of the bad-structured Medicare coverage for a long time.
Luckily there is the possibility to have the gap covered with the help of the Medicare Advantage Plan. It’s conceivable to quickly reduce expenses because this plan can provide more extensive medical coverage. Moreover, there is the possibility to choose a Medicare Advantage Plan that can cover prescriptions.
In addition to healthcare insurance, opting for a Medical Advantage Plan can be a great option to avoid unexpected medical expenses and even economize on them.
[1]Medicare.gov: What’s Medicare?
[2]Healthline: Medicare Advantage Plans: What They Cover
[3]Ehealth Medicare: Do Medicare Advantage Plans Cover Dental Services?
[4]Aarp Medicare Plans: Medicare Prescription Drug Plans