Through the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003, Medicare made it easier for private insurance companies to offer alternatives to Original Medicare (Parts A & B) and a Medicare supplemental insurance policy. Medicare sponsors Medicare Advantage plans as part of the Medicare program and pays the plans to manage a person's health care.
In order to enroll in these plans you will need to be enrolled in Part A and Part B of Medicare which means paying the Part B premium. You receive all Medicare-covered benefits through the private plan chosen. The types of plans included are:
- Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO)
- Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO)
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans
- Medicare Special Needs Plans
- Medicare Savings Account
These plans can include prescription drug coverage and other extra's such as vision and hearing services and allowances and dental coverage. NOTE: you generally have to see doctors that belong to the plan or go to certain hospitals to get the full value of the plan.
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Important Medicare Phone #s
- For Medicare enrollment: contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213
- For Medicare coverage questions: call 1-800-MEDICARE
- For government sponsored assistance with Medicare and Social Security contact HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program) at (800) 434-0222.
- For information about Medicare Supplemental coverage, contact Phil or John at OnlyHealthInsurance at 1-800-924-1411.
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