MEDICARE
Veterans already have a good thing going for them with TRICARE and VA health coverage. What if we told you you could have even better coverage? The addition of a Medicare Advantage plan to your health insurance arsenal will bolster your benefits and give you expanded access to providers and healthcare facilities, giving you more freedom and availability than with VA benefits alone.
Signing Up for Medicare Advantage
To sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan, you must be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B and live within the plan’s service area. There are certain times during the year when you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. You can sign up for a plan during your initial enrollment period, which begins three months before the month you turn 65 and ends three months after. You can also begin with Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) and wait to sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan until Open Enrollment comes around from October 15 to December 7 every year. You can renew or switch plans every year, making Medicare Advantage plans a versatile option.
Medicare Advantage Coverage
Medicare Advantage plans are an alternative to Original Medicare. They provide you the same Medicare Part A and Part B coverage and can also offer Part D prescription drug coverage and benefits such as dental, hearing, and vision care or fitness club memberships.
With a Medicare Advantage plan, you will usually have a network of healthcare providers that you can see for the low costs provided by your plan. Depending on your plan type, you may be covered when you see healthcare providers outside of your plan, but you may have to pay more in out-of-pocket costs for those services.
Why Add a Medicare Advantage Plan?
Your VA health coverage applies to VA facilities and has limited coverage. You are not guaranteed to remain eligible for VA health coverage, but you can purchase a Medicare Advantage plan for the security and convenience of reliable coverage. Medicare Advantage plans are transparent as well. You know exactly what is and is not covered and you can easily look up whether an item, test, or service is covered via Medicare’s website. When you shop for a plan, you can compare premiums, copayments, deductibles, and more.
Sometimes there are long wait times at VA facilities or you have to travel a long way to reach one. With a Medicare Advantage plan, you can visit providers close to your home (because they are region based) and if you have a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) type Medicare Advantage plan, you have the freedom to choose your providers and see specialists as you see fit.
Medicare Advantage plans also have out-of-pocket maximums, helping to protect you from the financial stress of utilizing your health insurance. We find that this encourages clients to seek help when they have healthcare needs and they are more proactive with preventative care.
Would you like to sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan in addition to your veteran healthcare coverage? The team at Proinsurance Hawaii is well versed in Medicare and can help you understand your benefit options to find you a plan that optimizes your coverage. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
