When I adopted a pair of twins, one of the first things that struck me was how many doctor's appointments they needed to go to. As we took them to all of their baby well-checks, I realised that these appointments were designed to find and address issues early before they caused other problems. Fortunately, our family paediatrician found a few critical problems that we were able to resolve head-on, and it was immensely helpful. Check out this blog for information about health care, preventative care, and helping your child to enjoy a better life. I know that some of these tips helped me, and I know that they can help you too.
How do you use a Medicare Advantage plan — and where can you get this type of insurance? Also known as MA or Part C, an Advantage plan bundles the coverage you would get from Parts A, B, and D. If you're not sure how to get or use MA, take a look at the steps you will need to follow.
Enroll In Part A and Part B
Do you have Original Medicare Parts A and B? If not, you aren't eligible for an Advantage plan — that is, you aren't eligible yet. Before you can choose Part C, you need to enroll in A and B. Part A is hospital insurance. This Part pays for inpatient hospitalizations, skilled nursing facilities, home health care, and hospice care.
Part B is medical insurance. This type of coverage helps to pay for doctor's office visits, specialist appointments, some home health care services, durable medical equipment, and preventative screenings. Part D is prescription coverage. While Part D doesn't pay for every medication every person on Medicare needs, it can help cover the costs of many prescription drugs and vaccinations.
Even though these three types of coverage help to pay for a variety of medical expenses, some people find it easier to bundle everything into one plan. This is where an Advantage policy comes in. While you will need Parts A and B (not Part D), to purchase Part C, you won't actually use Original Medicare after you enroll in an Advantage plan. Along with the hospital and medical benefits you would get from Parts A and B, Advantage plans also often pay for fitness programs/memberships as well as some hearing, vision, and dental-related costs.
Compare Health Plans
The specific benefits or coverage you choose depends on the plan. Unlike Parts A and B, Advantage plans may differ from insurer to insurer. This means you will need to compare coverage to find a plan that meets your individual healthcare needs and budget. An insurance agent can help you to find plans and learn more about what each one offers.
You will need to decide whether you want a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS), or Special Needs Plan (SNP) type of coverage.
Choose a Plan and Providers
The type of plan you choose will dictate which medical providers you can and can't see (in and out of network providers) and how much you will need to pay for out-of-pocket expenses such as deductibles or copays. Your insurance agent or insurer can help you to learn more about which hospitals, medical facilities, doctors, medical supply companies, and other providers your plan covers at the highest amount.
Share21 January 2022
