Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage Plans: A Brief Look

Insurance companies that have an agreement with CMS (Center for Medicare and Medicaid) give out Medicare Advantage Plans. Individuals enrolled in the plan retain their Medicare. You can go back to the original Medicare program the month after cancelling the Medicare Advantage plan.

The plans cost nil or a negligible amount. However, many need Part B participation amount. The bulk of the plan is paid from tax money. Many people considered Medicare Advantage Plans HMO plans. This is partially true. There are PPO Medicare Advantage Plans as well.

The plan you choose should be based on Individual medical needs. You may get comprehensive coverage at a very low cost if the medical providers you are consulting contract with the plans HMO. If you want more choice, an “Any Doctor” plan might be in order. Although insurance companies maintain that the fee for service plan works with any doctor, this is not always true.

Most Medicare Advantage plans cover prescription drug costs.

Medicare Supplement programs differ from Medicare Advantage. Here the original Medicare Card is used and the Medicare Supplement health card is added. If your plan includes Medicare part A and Part B, the Medicare supplement plan pays the unpaid bills of Medicare. Different Supplement plans cover different things.

You have to pay premiums for Medicare Supplements. People with poor health may be excluded,though the broadest access to health care is provided.