Health Insurance Policies

Medicare Advantage

What is Medicare Advantage?

Medicare Advantage = Medicare Part C (see below). These plans are provided by private insurance companies and include coverage for everything that the Original Medicare covers.

Many plans also include extra benefits, such as:

The purpose of Medicare Advantage is to get everything you need in cost, coverage, and convenience by combining the benefits of Medicare with that of a private insurance company, together in one simple plan.

FAQs

What does Medicare Advantage mean for your health care costs?

The costs of a Medicare Advantage plan may differ from the costs you pay with Original Medicare in a few ways:

• Premiums: Continue to pay monthly Part B premiums to Medicare in addition to any premiums to the company that provides the plan.

• Deductibles: Deductibles may vary from plan to plan. Some plans don’t require a deductible at all.

• Copayments: You may pay a smaller copayment than you would under Original Medicare.

How do Medicare Advantage plans provide extra benefits at a reasonable price?

Medicare Advantage plans are only administered through private insurance companies like Fulton Insurance. The government then reimburses these companies for each Medicare Advantage member, which helps keep the costs at a minimum.

Medicare Advantage plans also offer more benefits at a reasonable price because they utilize coordinated care within a network of providers.

Important: Make sure your doctors are in the Medicare Advantage plan that’s right for you.

Perks of Medicare Advantage Plans

• Lifestyle coaching programs: Talk with a health coach about how to reach goals like managing stress, quitting smoking, improving diet.

• A multidisciplinary care management team: Connect to the right resources, coordinate benefits and ensure better organization of care.

• Online tools and resources: Look up guides to make healthy decisions and manage conditions.

Why dental, hearing and vision care is essential to your health?

One Major benefit of Medicare Advantage (MA) is that many plans offer coverage for your eyes, ears and teeth. With many MA plans, these benefits are already included in the plan’s premium — the amount you pay each month for health coverage. Read on to learn more about why it’s so important to take of your dental, vision and hearing health as you age.

Hearing care

If you have hearing issues, it’s important to get treatment. Hearing aids may prevent some health risks and help you better interact with loved ones. Many MA plans include coverage for hearing exams and an annual allowance to help cover the cost of hearing aids.

Hearing loss in older adults

Hearing loss is associated with increased risk of social isolation, dementia and depression.

Vision care

Original Medicare may cover certain services related to cataract surgery, macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. But it doesn’t cover routine eye care. Many MA plans, however, cover an annual eye exam, glasses and contacts. Regular eye exams are important to help identify health problems earlier and to maintain your vision.

Why vision health is connected to your total health

Vision loss is linked to a higher risk of falls, dementia and depression.

Dental Care

Dental care is a vital part of overall health, yet traditional Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover most dental care, including dental procedures and supplies like cleanings, fillings, tooth extractions, dentures, or dental plates. Medicare Advantage plans that include dental benefits can offer a range of services, from basic preventative care such as cleanings and annual X-rays to more extensive procedures like root canals, crowns, and even sometimes orthodontics.

The importance of dental health