Original Medicare offers two types of coverage:

• Medicare Part A (Hospital Coverage): This coverage will pay for costs related to inpatient hospital care.
• Medicare Part B (Medical Coverage): Part B coverage will offer coverage for everyday medical needs such as check-ups, outpatient lab or imaging services, preventive care and more.

However, Original Medicare does not cover certain care such as vision services or prescription drugs. It will also contain its own physician network and have its own deductibles and cost-sharing requirements.

Patients who want more expansive and flexible benefits than those offered by Original Medicare alone, however, can invest in a Medicare Advantage plan. This is a private policy that takes Original benefits and expands upon them. It enables the policyholder to buy more personalized coverage while remaining part of the Medicare program.

If you have ever asked yourself why you should get Medicare Advantage, then it helps to understand the perks of buying this extra protection.

Medicare Advantage plans contain nearly all the same benefits of Original Medicare, and they must meet standards set by Medicare regulations. However, they also include expansive additional benefits, which might include:

• Prescription Drug Coverage
• Dental Benefits
• Hearing Services
• Vision Coverage

With these extra benefits, you can receive covered care for conditions that might not need attention now but could arise later.

Medicare Advantage plans also come in many forms, including:

• HMOs (Health Maintenance Organizations)
• HMO Point-of-Service (HMOPOS) Plans
• PPOs (Preferred Provider Organizations)
• PFFS (Private Fee-for-Service Plans)
• Special Needs Plans (SNPs)
• MSAs (Medical Savings Accounts)

All Advantage plans vary. They will include different provider networks, cost-sharing rules and premiums. Therefore, some will be better for you than others, depending on your needs. Our agents are committed to helping you make the choice an easy one.

You must have both Original Medicare Part A & Part B coverage before you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. There are only certain times that you can enroll in or make changes to a plan:

• Medicare Open Enrollment: Oct. 15 – Dec. 7 each year.
• Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment: Jan. 1 – March 31.
• During this time, you can make fewer changes to your plan than you can during standard open enrollment.
• Medicare Initial Enrollment: You can enroll in Advantage plans during initial enrollment. This is a seven-month period around your 65th birthday.
• Special Enrollment Periods: Depending on special circumstances, you might qualify for a special enrollment period for your Advantage plan.
• Medicare General Enrollment: If you enroll in Medicare Part B during General Enrollment, which occurs from Jan. 1 – March 31, you can enroll in Advantage plans from April 1 – June 30.

All Medicare Advantage plans have separate premiums from Original Medicare. These can vary, and some even have $0 premiums. You will still have to pay your Original Part B premium, however, in addition to your Part C premium. Some people qualify to deduct their Part C premium from their Social Security benefits.