Also acknowledged as Medicare Part C, Medicare Advantage Plans are healthcare plans that some private insurance companies offer, and they are sanctioned by Medicare. Patients who are enrolled under Medicare Part C and actual Medicare Part A and Part B enjoy the same coverage. However, some Medicare Advantage Plans comprise some extra benefits, too. If a person has Medicare Advantage Plans, he gets the liberty to select a plan according to his exclusive healthcare requirements. Additionally, he enjoys the suitability of a plan that covers several services.
Commonly, people who have attained the age of 65 or older than this can avail of Medicare. Again, patients who suffer from end-stage renal disease, ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), kidney failure who need kidney transplant or dialysis, and disabilities are also covered under Medicare. Medicare Advantage or MA Plans tend to be Medicare-sanctioned policies that some private companies offer, and they are substitutes for the traditional coverage of Medicare. The majority of the Medicare Advantage Plans include coverage for Part D prescription drugs, too. In 2022, more than 28 million individuals and nearly 48 per cent of those who received Medicare benefits were enrolled in an MA plan.
The providers of MA get a static fee for every enrolled participant of the health plan from this program. They also accumulate costs like out-of-pocket from policyholders and, at times, also confine coverage to providers. A few MA plans encompass some extra costs that traditional Medicare does not cover, like hearing, dental, and vision expenses. However, MA plans do not work simultaneously with Medigap (also known as Medicare Supplement Insurance). In 2024, the average monthly premium of MA is $18.50, and MA participants are required to pay the premium besides the monthly premium for Medicare Part B, which is fixed at $174.70.
Regional PPOs or Preferred Provider Organizations were formed to provide every rural beneficiary access to MA plans, and they cover the entire multi-state or statewide regions. In 2020, the Regional Preferred Provider Organizations accounted for 5 per cent of every enrollee of Medicare Advantage.
MA plans have lots of benefits, and some of them are:
MA offers more benefits than original Medicare, including multiple plan choices, convenient coverage, and long-term savings. However, before you choose a plan from several Medicare Advantage Plans for 2024, you should review your healthcare requirements well.