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Your Medicare Advantage plan comparison is just one step away!
On the phone
Our licensed insurance agents can help you compare plans and keep your current doctor.
In 2022, there are a total of 3,834 different Medicare Advantage plans available in the United States, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF).1
Plan options vary around the country, so where you live could affect your plan options.
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Every Medicare Advantage plan must offer the same set of basic benefits as Medicare Part A and Part B, and many plans may also provide additional benefits such as prescription drug coverage or wellness programs.
The benefits you get will depend on the individual plan you enroll in, so you need to compare plans to get the right coverage for your needs.
Narrowing down your options may be difficult. The first step is to determine which of the 5 major types of Medicare Advantage plans most closely fit your health insurance needs.
There are 5 major types of Medicare Advantage plans. The major types of plans differ by network restrictions, referral requirements, and prescription drug coverage options.
HMO plans offer low-cost coverage options with network restrictions.
If you have an HMO, you will be covered only for medical providers and hospitals within the HMO’s specific network, unless it’s emergency or urgent care. If you go out of your network for care, your insurer might not pay for it. The provider networks are grouped based on ZIP codes or county lines.
In most cases, HMOs require you to pick a primary care physician, and you will need a referral to see a specialist in most cases.
Most HMO plans provide prescription drug coverage.
There also is a less common version of HMO plans called HMO Point of Service plans (HMOPOS). HMOPOS are basically structured like an HMO but allow access to some out-of-network health care services for an additional cost.
PPO plans offer coverage through a network of providers, but you are allowed to access out-of-network care for covered services, usually for a higher cost. If you go to doctors and hospitals in the plan's network, you will generally pay less.
You do not need to choose a primary care doctor with a PPO, and usually you do not need a referral to see a specialist.
Most PPO plans provide prescription drug coverage. However, if the plan lacks drug coverage, you cannot join a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. If you want Medicare drug coverage, you must join a PPO plan that offers prescription drug coverage.
PPO plans operate both locally and regionally, depending on the specific plan. Local PPO plans are grouped into smaller areas such as counties. Regional PPO plans provide coverage in entire states or multi-state areas.
Most PPO plans are regional.
You might consider signing up for a Medicare PFFS plan if you are interested in having some flexibility in your health care choices.
With PFFS plans, you may go to any Medicare-approved doctor or health care facility that has accepted the plan's payment terms and agreed to treat members of your Medicare Advantage plan. You will be treated in an emergency even if the health care provider has not agreed to your plan’s terms.
Some PFFS plans may use a provider network. If you enroll in one of these plans you can also see any of the network providers who’ve agreed to always treat plan members. If you choose to visit an out-of-network provider who accepts the plan’s terms, you may face extra charges.
You do not need to choose a primary care doctor with PFFS plans, and you do not need a referral to see a specialist.
Some PFFS plans offer prescription coverage. If your plan does not offer coverage, you can join a Medicare Part D plan. Check with the plan for more information.
SNPs are only available to Medicare beneficiaries with specific diseases, health conditions or financial circumstances. The plans are structured to benefit their members according to their health needs.
SNPs limit membership to those with chronic or disabling conditions like dementia and HIV/AIDS or those living in institutions such as nursing homes. The plans are tailored for these members to provide the most suitable benefits, providers, and drug formularies for the group.
With an SNP, you need to visit in-network doctors and hospitals, unless you need emergency or urgent care or in other limited situations.
The plans usually require that you have a primary care doctor or a care coordinator. In addition, you will usually need a referral to see a specialist.
All SNPs must provide prescription drug coverage.
Medical Savings Accounts provide you with a high-deductible health care plan and a bank account. Medicare will deposit money into the account and you can use the money to pay for your health care services throughout the year.
MSAs cover all of the required Medicare services and can provide additional benefits such as vision and dental coverage.
MSAs do not include prescription drug coverage. If you need coverage, you must join a Medicare prescription drug plan.
To learn more about Medicare Advantage plans and to find plans in your area, call a licensed insurance agent today or compare plans online.
Speak with a licensed insurance agent
1 Freed M. et al. (Nov. 2, 2021). Medicare Advantage 2022 Spotlight: First Look. Kaiser Family Foundation. Retrieved from www.kff.org/issue-brief/medicare-advantage-2022-spotlight-first-look.
Christian Worstell is a senior Medicare and health insurance writer with MedicareAdvantage.com. He is also a licensed health insurance agent. Christian is well-known in the insurance industry for the thousands of educational articles he’s written, helping Americans better understand their health insurance and Medicare coverage.
Christian’s work as a Medicare expert has appeared in several top-tier and trade news outlets including Forbes, MarketWatch, WebMD and Yahoo! Finance.
Christian has written hundreds of articles for MedicareAvantage.com that teach Medicare beneficiaries the best practices for navigating Medicare. His articles are read by thousands of older Americans each month. By better understanding their health care coverage, readers may hopefully learn how to limit their out-of-pocket Medicare spending and access quality medical care.
Christian’s passion for his role stems from his desire to make a difference in the senior community. He strongly believes that the more beneficiaries know about their Medicare coverage, the better their overall health and wellness is as a result.
A current resident of Raleigh, Christian is a graduate of Shippensburg University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.
If you’re a member of the media looking to connect with Christian, please don’t hesitate to email our public relations team at Mike@tzhealthmedia.com.
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