MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS
Do You Need Supplemental Insurance With Medicare?
The basic Medicare plans don’t always offer everything for the needs of everyone. That’s why there’s Medicare Advantage. At Norgard Insurance Group, we consider all of your needs and concerns to help you find the right plan at the right price. Let our team go to work for you. Contact us today for a complimentary evaluation!
Contact Our Medicare Experts
BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH US
We Make Sure You Get Coverage You Need
Application Assistance
We take the stress out of enrollment and help you design a supplemental Medicare plan for your healthcare needs and your individual financial situation.
Flexibility & Versatility
Be confident in plans with reasonable premiums, quality service, and flexibility so you can choose your own doctors, hospitals, and medical providers.
Exceptional Service
Our dedicated team of experts understands the ins and outs of all levels of health insurance. Get the answers and support you need quickly.
SUPPLEMENTAL MEDICARE PLANS
What is Medicare Advantage?
Medicare comes in four primary plans: Medicare Part A, Part B, Part C, and Part D. The basic plans don’t always cover everyone’s needs, and it can be confusing trying to decide what’s best for you. Find out what you need to know before enrolling.
What is Medicare Advantage?
Medicare Part C is the Medicare Advantage plan. It’s the alternative to Original Medicare, which includes Parts A, B, and D. The main difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage is that Medicare Advantage is offered by private insurance companies to supplement the government-funded plans. These private insurance providers are approved by Medicare to offer these supplemental plans.
Is Medicare Advantage for Everyone?
Medicare Part C is completely optional when you enroll in Medicare Parts A, B, and D. You can have both the bundled plans and Medicare Advantage, but you cannot have Medicare Advantage without the bundled packages of Medicare Part A, B, and D. This supplemental program offers individuals more comprehensive coverage to meet all of their healthcare and medical needs.
What Does Medicare Part C Cover?
Advantage Plans offer similar coverage as Original Medicare but with additional benefits. The goal is to save you money on non-covered medical expenses that you would otherwise be responsible for in out-of-pocket costs, which can be especially burdensome on retirees on a fixed income. Some common extra benefits include routine dental care, vision care, podiatry care, prescription drugs, and transportation.
A very good friend recommended Chad to me because of the good service he provided. My needs were, quite honestly, very challenging and w/ little difficulty, Chad got me up and running in-a-flash. The experience was so positive that I even recommended my wife to him.
– Fred R.
ADVANTAGE PLANS
Will You Need These Extra Benefits?
Routine Vision Care
Get regular eye exams, new glasses, and contact lenses.
Routine Dental Care
Stay up to date on cleanings, annual exams, and X-rays.
Dental Procedures
Rest easy knowing you have coverage for extractions, fillings, crowns, bridges, dentures, and more.
Additional Medications
Help with the costs of over-the-counter medications and prescription drugs not covered by Medicare Parts B or D.
Custom Coverage
Benefits for treating specific conditions or chronic illnesses can be tailored to fit your needs.
UNDERSTANDING MEDICARE ADVANTAGE
Medicare Part C Provides Extra Coverage
- Eye Exams
- Dental Cleanings
- Extractions
- Crowns
- Gum Disease Treatments
- Fitness Programs
- Adult Day-Care Services
- Hearing Screenings
- Eye Glasses
- Annual Dental Exams
- Fillings
- Bridges
- Gym Memberships
- Transportation
- Additional Inpatient Days
- Hearing Aids
- Contact Lenses
- X-Rays
- Root Canals
- Dentures
- Nutrition Programs
- Over-the-Counter Medications
- Routine Podiatry Care
- Coinsurance
MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT PLANS
Is Medigap the same as Advantage Plans?
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap
Original Medicare only pays about 80% of approved costs and usually doesn’t cover prescription drug costs or things like routine eye and dental care. So, the big question is should you choose Medicare Advantage or use Medigap to supplement your Medicare plan?
Coverage Gaps
Original Medicare pays about 80% of the approved costs for hospitals, doctors, and medical procedures. Medicare Advantage plans and Medigap supplemental insurance policies help fill these coverage gaps.
Traditional Medicare Plus Medigap
After signing up for Original Medicare, which covers hospital and medical insurance, you have to take action on your own to buy supplemental policies. Medigap often requires a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, too.
Benefits of Using Medigap
While this may be the more expensive option, Medigap has a few advantages. Prior authorization or a referral from a primary doctor is unnecessary. Plus, coverage includes the entire U.S. versus a specific locale.
Medicare Advantage Plans
These plans are similar to private health insurance and offer an HMO or PPO network. Each plan has different benefits and rules. Some require a referral while others do not. Most provide prescription drug coverage.
Can You Switch?
Everyone can switch during the open enrollment period in the fall. However, Medigap may charge extra due to your age and preexisting conditions, or not sell you a policy at all if you have serious medical problems.
SUPPLEMENTAL MEDICARE PLANS
What to Consider When Selecting Your Coverage
There are many pros and cons to both Medigap and Medicare Advantage Plans. Ultimately, your health, lifestyle, and finances will play a role in determining the best choice for you. Here are a few things to consider.
Are You in Good Health?
People with a serious health condition or chronic illness need to carefully consider their options. If you want more choice in where you receive your care, a Medigap insurance plan is generally the best route. If you want to protect yourself from huge medical bills, a Medicare Advantage plan with an out-of-pocket maximum may be a better choice. Also, verify medical equipment and prescription drug coverage.
Have You Compared the Costs?
Although Medicare Advantage plans might save you money, it’s important to check whether prescription drug benefits are covered. If not, you will end up buying a separate Part D plan to get those benefits. Also, find out if there are any limits in their coverage, and research the costs of any premiums, copays, and other out-of-pocket expenses. Compare these costs to those of Medigap and Part D plans.
Are Providers Scarce in Your Area?
Depending on where you live, it’s possible that physicians and hospitals are in short supply. Even if you have options, are those doctors accepting new patients? Is it a long drive to see a provider? Are there any emergency rooms nearby? It’s important to check out the networks of available Medicare Advantage Plans and figure out the locations of providers who accept regular Medicare.
Do You Have a Favorite Doctor or Clinic?
Most Medicare Advantage Plans limit your choice of physicians because you have to use one in their network. They may cover less, or none, of your expenses when using out-of-network and out-of-town providers. On the other hand, Original Medicare plans cover any U.S. doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare, and most do.
Do You Travel Frequently?
If you travel a lot or own multiple houses in different locales, regular Medicare may be a good choice for you. With Medicare plus a Medigap insurance policy, frequent fliers could choose a policy that covers emergency care in foreign countries. Be sure to ask your current physicians if they accept Medicare Advantage plans or regular Medicare.
Do You Need Broader Benefits?
New benefits are becoming available as the government allows insurers to add coverage for things not included in regular Medicare. Some examples include supplying food for service animals; indoor air quality monitors; and ramps for wheelchairs. It pays to reconsider your choice each year during open enrollment. Before you make any changes, be sure to ask your current physicians if they accept Medicare Advantage plans or regular Medicare.
How to Enroll in Medicare Advantage?
It can be confusing to shop for Medicare supplements on your own. Let us take the stress out of Medicare enrollment. Norgard Insurance Group’s Medicare supplements experts will work to understand your situation and help you get the right option.