You might want more health insurance than that offered by standard Original Medicare. To get it, you might be able to qualify for a Medicare Advantage plan (commonly called Part C coverage). It provides Original
Medicare, but it also offers more protection. Here's a little more information.
Medicare Advantage plans cover many of your most-frequent and necessary medical needs. Still, even with coverage, you won't have all your care costs insured. Even so, it is a great benefit for those who qualify.
Coverage Within Medicare Advantage Plans
The original government program for Medicare is Original Medicare. It includes:
- Medicare Part A that pays for costs like hospital bills, surgeries and inpatient care.
- Medicare Part B to pay for outpatient services, like physician visits or hospice care.
Yet, you often still need services outside a traditional hospital or doctors office. You might go to a dentist, eye doctor or pharmacy for care. Yet, under Original Medicare these costs might not have coverage. Medicare Advantage plans might help in this regard.
Part C policies will offer expanded access to Medicare services. They might cover costs like:
- Dental care
- Vision care
- Hearing aid services
- Prescription drugs
Policies will also cover all care insured under Original Medicare, except hospice care. Therefore, you’ll get the benefits of Medicare and can expand on that coverage.
Medicare Advantage coverage is private insurance. Insurers have certain leeway to decide which coverage they offer and at what cost. Plans are also not available in all areas, and they include eligibility rules. Talk to your agent if you want to learn more about getting a plan.
Costs Not Covered by Medicare Advantage
Getting Original Medicare does not mean you'll pay nothing for health care. You will still have to pay:
- A premium on the Medicare Advantage plan
- Co-payments, deductibles and coinsurance costs
- Your existing Medicare Part B premium, which goes towards your Original Medicare plan. You remain in the Original Medicare system even if you have Medicare Advantage
There are other private plans, called Medigap plans, that might help with co-payments and deductible costs. However, you generally cannot get these plans if you get a Medicare Advantage plan. You therefore should talk to your insurance agent at 631-539-6351 about which option is right for you. If you want coverage for more care than that provided in standard Medicare, consider Medicare Advantage. It can help you get a lot more care for a lot less money.