MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN

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A Medicare Advantage Plan is another way to get your Medicare coverage. Medicare Advantage Plans, sometimes called “Part C” or “MA Plans,” are offered by Medicare-approved private companies that must follow rules set by Medicare. 

If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, you’ll still have Medicare but you’ll get most of your Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) coverage from the Medicare Advantage Plan, not Original Medicare. Most plans include Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D). 

In most cases, you’ll need to use health care providers who participate in the plan’s network. However, many plans offer out-of network coverage, but sometimes at a higher cost. 

Remember, you must use the card from your Medicare Advantage Plan to get your Medicare-covered services. Keep your red, white, and blue Medicare card in a safe place because you’ll need it if you ever switch back to Original Medicare.

• You are currently covered under Medicare Parts A & B
• You are within 6 months of turning 65
• You are within 6 months of receiving Part B coverage
• If you are about to lose your group health insurance plan
• You live in the plan’s service area. 
• You don’t have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). If you have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), you can only join a Medicare Advantage Plan in certain situations.

• When you first become eligible for Medicare, you can sign up during your Initial Enrollment Period.
• If you have Part A coverage and you get Part B for the first time during the General Enrollment Period, you can also join a Medicare Advantage Plan at that time.
• Between October 15–December 7, anyone with Medicare can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage Plan. Your coverage will begin on January 1, as long as the plan gets your request by December 7

Always review the materials your plan sends you (like the “Annual Notice of Change” and “Evidence of Coverage”), and make sure your plan will still meet your needs for the following year.