Are Medicare Advantage Plans Good? Pros and Cons of Medicare Advantage Plans

Over 26 million people are enrolled in Medicare Advantage Plans as an alternative to Original Medicare. These private insurance plans approved by Medicare offer attractive benefits like $0 premiums and built-in prescription drug coverage. But are the plans right for you? Here’s an in-depth look at the pros and cons of Medicare Advantage.

What Are Medicare Advantage Plans?
First, let’s make sure we understand what these plans are. Medicare Advantage Plans are sold by private insurance companies and bundle together services covered under Medicare Part A and Part B. Most also include Medicare Part D prescription drug benefits. A couple key facts:

• Offered by insurance companies like UnitedHealthcare, Humana and BCBS rather than directly from Medicare
• Must cover all the same services as Original Medicare
• Often have extra benefits not offered by Original Medicare like dental or vision
• Have provider networks you must use

Medicare Advantage Plans act as an all-in-one alternative to Original Medicare plus stand alone Part D and Medigap Plans.
Pros of Medicare Advantage Plans
What are the most appealing reasons someone may opt for a Medicare Advantage Plan?
Lower Costs
Many Medicare Advantage Plans have no monthly premiums beyond the Part B premium you pay to Medicare. Some also have $0 deductibles or low copays for certain services. This can amount to big savings versus Medigap premiums.
Extra Benefits
Most Medicare Advantage Plans include valuable extra benefits not offered by Original Medicare such as:

• Prescription drug coverage
• Dental care
• Vision care
• Hearing aids
• Fitness programs
• Transportation to medical appointments

These benefits enhance services for seniors at no added premium in many plans.
Medicare Advantage Plans bundle in benefits most seniors want without paying more.
Cons of Medicare Advantage Plans
However, there are also downsides to weigh regarding Medicare Advantage compared to Original Medicare:
Limited Provider Choice
Medicare Advantage Plans typically have restricted provider networks. This requires you to seek care from doctors, hospitals and specialists within a plan's network except in emergencies. Out-of-network care costs much more.
Higher Cost Sharing
You will pay more out-of-pocket costs for some services like lab tests, x-rays or ambulance transport versus Original Medicare. Advantage Plans have different cost tiers for services.
Pre-Authorization Needed
Seeing specialists or getting procedures may require pre-approval from the plan insurer to determine medical necessity first. There's less flexibility than Original Medicare.
Coverage Changes Yearly
Insurance companies can change plan details, benefits and costs each year. Your premium, drug coverage, doctors or hospitals could be affected from one year to the next forcing you to find a new plan.
Choosing Between Advantage Plans and Original Medicare
Medicare Advantage offers cost savings but Original Medicare offers flexibility. What's optimal depends on your situation:
Original Medicare

• See any doctor or hospital accepting Medicare nationwide
• Add separate Part D Plan for drugs and Medigap Plan without networks
• Pay higher monthly costs for premiums but lower per service costs

Medicare Advantage

• Lower or no premium costs in many plans
• Must see doctors within the plan's network except emergencies
• Copays and coinsurance varies based on the plan's coverage tiers

Carefully compare your total costs with Original Medicare vs plans. An Advantage Plan with a $0 premium that charges you 40% coinsurance for chemotherapy is likely more expensive overall than a 20% coinsurance with Medigap for example.
Factors That Vary Among Medicare Advantage Plans
All Advantage Plans are not equal. Coverage details, costs and extras can differ significantly between plans.
Monthly Premiums and Out-of-Pocket Costs

• Range from $0 premium to over $100 depending on plan
• Annual out-of-pocket maximum limits vary greatly
• Review deductibles, copays or coinsurance for services

Provider Networks
Some plans offer extensive networks while others are highly restricted. Make sure your preferred doctors and hospitals are included.
Never assume providers are covered. Verify before selecting a plan.
Prescription Drug Coverage

• Different copays or coinsurance levels for different drug tiers
• Varying deductibles from $0 to over $400
• Check if your specific prescriptions are included in the plan's formulary

Additional Benefits
Advantage Plans incorporate extras in different ways:

• Some offer unlimited dental and vision benefits for $0 copay
• Others include a dental benefit but limit it to $500 annually

So benefits packages can look very different between insurers or plan options from the same insurer.
Enrolling in and Switching Medicare Advantage Plans
You can sign up for or change Advantage Plans at certain times of year:
Initial Enrollment

• When you turn 65 and enroll in Medicare Parts A & B
• During the 7 month Initial Enrollment Period

This is when most people make their first choice between Original Medicare or Advantage
Open Enrollment

• Annually from October 15 to December 7
• Switch between Advantage Plans or back to Original Medicare

Outside these windows, ability to change plans is restricted.
Since both costs and covered providers can change from one year to the next, carefully review plan details each Open Enrollment. Make sure your plan still meets your needs for the coming year.
Resources for Comparing Medicare Advantage Plans
Figuring out if Advantage coverage makes sense takes research:

• Visit Medicare.gov to compare plans side by side along with Medigap options
• Talk to your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for guidance
• Discuss your health history and medications with an insurance broker

Evaluate premium costs, provider networks, prescription coverage, max out-of-pocket costs and additional benefits offered. Weigh the pros and cons against what you'll pay annually under Original Medicare plus supplemental plans.
The right choice depends on your healthcare priorities. Medicare Advantage offers a streamlined approach saving money on premiums but restricts your provider choices. Original Medicare allows seeing any doctor but costs more if you want full coverage through Medigap and Part D Plans.
Hope this overview gives you the knowledge to determine if Medicare Advantage Plans might be good for your situation as you evaluate options during Medicare's Open Enrollment.
We’re Here to Help
You do not have to spend hours reading articles on the internet to get answers to your Medicare questions. Give the licensed insurance agents at The Insurance Space a Call at (866) 717-8683. You will get the answers you seek in a matter of minutes, with no pressure and no sales pitch. We are truly here to help.
FAQs
What is the best Medicare Advantage Plan?
 It's difficult to definitively state which is the best Medicare Advantage Plan, as the "best" plan varies depending on your individual health needs and circumstances. Some people may find that a plan with lower premiums but higher out-of-pocket costs is the best for them, while others may prefer a plan with higher premiums but more expansive coverage. It's recommended that individuals research and compare different types of Medicare Advantage Plans to determine which is best for their situation.
What are the pros and cons of Medicare?
 Medicare, also known as Medicare part c, provides comprehensive health insurance to people aged 65 or older and certain younger people with disabilities. The pros of Medicare include wide acceptance by doctors and hospitals, no need for referral to see specialists, and coverage of many preventive services at no cost. The cons of Medicare include potentially high out-of-pocket costs if you need extensive medical care, mandatory coverage of certain services like hospital stays and doctor visits, and the requirement to sign up for a Medicare drug plan if you want prescription drug coverage.
How does Medicare Supplement insurance different from Medicare Advantage?
Medicare Supplement insurance, also known as Medigap, helps pay for some of the health care costs that Original Medicare doesn't cover, like co-payments, co-insurance, and deductibles. Medicare Advantage, on the other hand, is an alternative to Original Medicare that combines Medicare Part A and  Medicare Part B premium, and often includes Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. Medicare Advantage Plans often also offer extra benefits that traditional Medicare does not cover, like vision and dental care. However, you typically have to use a network of providers with these plans.
What types of Medicare Advantage Plans are there?
There are several types of Medicare Advantage Plans, most commonly Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans, Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans, Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans, and Special Needs Plans (SNP). Each type of plan has different rules and coverage details, so you should carefully consider your healthcare needs before choosing a Medicare Advantage Plan.
When can I sign up for Medicare?
You can sign up for Medicare during the seven-month Initial Enrollment Period that starts three months before you turn 65, includes the month you turn 65, and ends three months after the month you turn 65. You can also enroll in Medicare during the annual Open Enrollment Period from October 15 to December 7 each year.
What does Medicare Advantage Plans cover?
Medicare Advantage Plans, also known as Medicare Part C, cover everything Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) cover. Most Medicare Advantage Plans also offer prescription drug coverage, and may include additional benefits such as routine vision or dental care, health wellness programs, or hearing aids.
How do I know if I have the right Medicare Plan?
Deciding if you have the right Medicare Plan means taking into account your health status, budget, preferred doctors and hospitals, and prescription medication needs. It's important to remember that, as your life changes, so may your health insurance needs. It's a good idea to review your Medicare coverage annually to make sure it still fits your needs.
Where can I find information about Medicare and Medicare Advantage Plans?
You can find information about Medicare and Medicare Advantage Plans on the official website, Medicare.gov. You can compare coverage options, costs, and check which medications are covered under different plans. Alternatively, you can call the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or consult with a trusted healthcare advisor or broker.
How do I select the right Medicare Advantage Plan?
 Selecting the right Medicare Advantage Plan involves considering your medical needs, checking if your doctors and hospitals are in the plan's network, examining the plan's cost including monthly premiums and out-of-pocket expenses, checking the plan's star rating on the Medicare website, and reading the plan's Annual Notice of Change.
What are the key considerations when choosing a Medicare Advantage Plan?
 When choosing a Medicare Advantage Plan, it's important to take into account: the total costs of premiums, deductibles, copayments, and out-of-pocket maximums; the coverage for doctors, pharmacy, hospital, and other medical services; the coverage for prescription drugs you take; the plan's quality ratings, and any extra benefits and services the plan offers.