Medicare Advantage plans are an alternative to Medicare Parts A and B. A Medicare Advantage plan (called Part C) is offered by a private insurer or HMO and offers its enrollees the same Medicare-eligible health care services available to beneficiaries under Parts A and B. The federal government pays the insurer a set amount for each enrollee. In addition, Medicare Advantage plan enrollees usually get additional coverage not offered by Parts A and B. In most, but not all, Medicare Advantage plans, there is a monthly premium in addition to what you would pay for Medicare Parts A and B.
3 Things You Must Know About Social Security Disability Claims
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Check EligibilityMedicare Part C FAQ: What is Medicare Part C?
Medicare Part C allows you to obtain health care through a "Medicare Advantage Plan," a private insurance plan, rather than deal with Medicare directly.
Medicare Advantage Managed Care Plans: An Alternative to Medigap Insurance
Medicare managed care plans fill gaps in basic Medicare, as do medigap policies, but they are almost always cheaper.
Medicare Managed Care: Choosing a Plan
If you are considering a Medicare managed care plan, you must decide whether any of the plans available in your area offer adequate care at an affordable cost. To best evaluate the available plans, get a complete written explanation of each plan's coverage, costs, and procedures (usually contained in a printed brochure called a summary of benefits). Be sure to evaluate the prescription drug coverage offered by each potential plan.
Medigap: Covering the Gaps in Medicare
Even for those with Medicare coverage, a serious illness or injury can cause financial havoc because of the bills Medicare does not cover. That's why about two-thirds of all Medicare recipients aged 65 or over buy some kind of private health coverage -- called medigap insurance. Although this insurance is designed to cover the gaps in Medicare payments, most medigap coverage falls short of this goal. Before you buy a medigap insurance policy, consider the services covered, the amount of benefits, and the policy's monthly cost.
Medicare Special Needs Plans (SNPs) for Those With Chronic or Disabling Health Conditions
A Medicare Special Needs Plan (SNP) is a kind of Medicare Advantage Plan that offers special benefits for people who meet its eligibility criteria. All Medicare Advantage Plans are offered by private companies contracting with Medicare. Different kinds of special needs plans are available depending on
How to Appeal a Denial of Medicare Part C
If your Medicare Advantage Plan denies a request for coverage or reimbursement for health care services under Medicare Part C, you have the right to appeal if you disagree with the decision.
Nolo's book explains how Medicare works and discusses Medicare coverage, premiums, and co-insurance in detail.
Nolo's Guide to Social Security Disability: Getting & Keeping Your Benefits
Nolo's book covers the basics of Social Security's disability program.
