If you are a person “of a certain age”, over the past several weeks you’ve already been inundated with advertisements and marketing materials for medicare advantage plans. After all, it’s open enrollment season, and companies are jockeying for a chance to assist with providing medicare advantage services for people that need it.

Apparently, this strategy is effective, according to statistics, nearly half of all eligible seniors are enrolled in medicare advantage plans; this is up from only about 30% in 2016. Analysts expect that within the next 10 years, 60 percent of medicare-eligible seniors will be enrolled in these plans.

However, before enrolling, it is good for the educated consumer to at least have an understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of medicare advantage plans.

The Advantages of a Medicare Advantage Plan

Medicare Advantage Can Cost Less Than Other Plans
Medicare Advantage plans are often extremely cost-effective for plan enrollees, with premiums as low as $0 for some plans. Talk to your medicare advantage provider that can help you find out whether or not you’re qualified for $0 plans.

Coordinated Healthcare Services
Everyone knows that working with healthcare in the second half of our lives- with an array of providers, doctors, and specialists- can be a headache sometimes- and that’s to put it nicely. Many medicare advantage coverage plans now include medical care coordination as a benefit to help ease this stress.

Medical care coordination means that your healthcare providers will actively work as a team to communicate and coordinate your healthcare services. Studies show that this service leads to an enhanced patient experience for patients seeking services.

Can Offer More Benefits Than A Traditional Medicare Plan:
Legally speaking, medicare advantage plans must offer the same amount of coverage as medicare parts A and B, and many plans take it a step further with benefits such as hearing, vision, and dental care, health club membership, and prescription benefits- all in one. It’s much more convenient and cost-effective than attempting to secure all those benefits separately.

What Are the Disadvantages of Medicare Advantage Plans?

Medicare Advantage Plans May Offer State-Specific Coverage
While original Medicare Coverage means that the enrollee will be covered with one plan that is valid across the entire United States, many Medicare Advantage plans may only offer certain coverage for certain service regions. If an enrollee travels often, splits time between multiple homes, or is planning to move soon, it would be wise to check with their Medicare Advantage service provider first.

Medicare Advantage Plans May Be Tough To Choose
If you perform a simple google search within your zip code, you may find a plethora of medicare advantage coverage options available; each one more complex than the last. This is the reality of the Medicare Advantage plan market today.
This is why it may be wise for you to speak to a Medicare Advantage hotline such as ours; we will help you explore and understand the plan choices that are available to you.

Your Healthcare Freedom of Choice May Be Limited With Medicare Advantage
Depending on the service plan you choose, your freedom of choice in local healthcare providers may be limited. For example, if an enrollee chooses an HMO medicare advantage plan, then their providers may be limited to the HMO network, and they will have to pay more for out-of-network providers.

With all that being said, once again, it’s important to spend time shopping for medicare advantage plans and choosing the plan that suits your needs best. Our team of trained experts can help you: fill out the form below or reach out to 1-855-632-2931 and we’ll be happy to assist you with choosing the coverage that is best for you.