You would definitely compare prices for the best deal on a washing machine or a new alarm system, yet studies show that American seniors rarely make getting good healthcare a priority. The best time to research good health care plans is before open enrollment season starts. Medicare offers up to 80 percent of healthcare coverage but to supplement that, you may consider enrolling in a Medicare Advantage Plan. These plans typically include coverage for hospital stays (Part A), medical services and supplies (Part B) and prescription drugs (Part C). For convenience sake, you can combine all these services under one monthly payment. This works out to be quite cost-effective too. Always ask these questions before enrolling in a Medicare Advantage Plan.
- Does this plan include my preferred care providers? Your care providers could be hospitals, pharmacies, lab services, physicians, and outpatient clinics. Each plan has its own website which will have a list of providers. You will want to make sure that your doctor is what is referred to as ‘in network’.
- Does this plan include vision and dental care? This is an important consideration because traditional Medicare doesn’t cover dental or vision care. Coverage for these two areas of your health is important, especially if you don’t have any other insurance coverage. Even if you maintain good oral hygiene, don’t smoke and have good vision, age will play a part in the wear and tear of your teeth and gums and eventually over your vision. Make sure you’re covered for this eventuality.
- Are there any perks offered? Some Medicare Advantage plans offer seniors a discounted membership at health and fitness clubs in an effort to encourage seniors to stay active. It will be good for you to get a perk of this kind, since it will enable you to be more proactive with your exercise regimen.
- Will it still provide coverage in a different state? Medicare Advantage is not a standardized plan, which means that it often only covers a specific region and area. Find out if the plan will offer coverage to areas you travel to in the year.
You can always research various Medicare advantage plans on the tool finder section of Medicare.gov website. If you prefer in-person guidance reach out to the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) and ask for a one-on-one counselling session.
