Medicare Advantage – Bridlewood Insurance

What is Medicare Advantage?

Medicare Part B is medical insurance. Your Part B benefits cover certain non-hospital medical expenses like doctor’s office visits, blood tests, X-rays, diabetic screening and supplies, and outpatient hospital care. For this part of Original Medicare, you must pay a monthly premium. For those with higher incomes, the fee may be higher. For low income beneficiaries, Medicaid may assist you in covering your Part B premiums.

What are the different Medicare Advantage Plans?

Medicare Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs)
Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO)
Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
Medicare Special Needs Plans (SNP)

The Medicare Advantage plan service area determines eligibility to enroll in a specific plan. Aside from Special Need Plans, which may be limited in their enrollment of certain group of beneficiaries, plans are required to allow all eligible Medicare beneficiaries residing in a plan service area to enroll.

Are you eligible for Medicare Advantage?

If you have Medicare Parts A & B (Original Medicare), you typically are eligible to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. The plan must be in your service area.

When can you enroll in Medicare Advantage Plans?

If you want to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, there are certain time periods to do so:

October 15th to December 7th

Change from Medicare Parts A & B (Original Medicare) to a Medicare Advantage Plan
Change Medicare Advantage plans
Find a new Medicare Advantage plan that offers prescription drug coverage

Enrolling into Original Medicare

You first become eligible for a Medicare Advantage plan three months prior to your birthday, your birth month, and the three months after your Part A & B effective dates or when you turn 65, if later. When you first become eligible for Medicare, you have the option to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. This is your Initial Coverage Election Period.

January 1st to February 14th

Did you change your mind about Medicare Advantage? If you’re enrolled in Medicare Advantage but want to switch back to Medicare Parts A & B (Original Medicare), you can do so during this time period.

Want more information about Medicare Advantage?