Does original Medicare leave you wanting more? A Medicare Advantage plan might be a better option. Medicare Advantage plans combine Medicare parts A, B, and D into one plan and are referred to as “MA Plans” or “Part C”. These plans are offered by private companies and approved by Medicare, and Medicare pays these companies to manage your benefits. Medicare Advantage plans must cover all of the services that original Medicare covers and may also offer extra benefits such as dental care, eyeglasses, or wellness programs. Eligibility requires that you have Medicare Part A and Part B, and live in the plan’s service area.
Each Medicare Advantage plan has different premiums and costs for services, so it is important to compare plans in your area and understand plan costs and benefits before you join. Understanding if your doctors are in the plan’s network, and whether your prescription drugs are covered under the plan are some of the most important things to check before enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan.
The Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors, or SHIBA, are an excellent resource for helping to determine if a Medicare Advantage plan is right for you. Contact SHIBA of Washington at 1-800-562-6900, and they will put in you in contact with a local representative.
CHAS Health’s Patient Resources Coordinators (PRCs) can assist with applications for cost-savings programs that help with monthly premiums and prescription drug costs. Call CHAS Health at 509.444.8200 to schedule an appointment with a PRC at any of our CHAS locations. Walk-ins are also welcome. Come see us today!
