AMAC, Inc.

Some Medicare Advantage Plans include Part D - Drug Plan Benefit
Medicare Advantage Plans, offered by private insurance companies, receive a payment from the government for each enrollee, and use a portion of these payments to offer supplemental benefits, thereby limiting a beneficiary’s out of pocket expenses. For example, some Medicare Advantage plans provide insurance against catastrophic costs over $5,000.00. These plans can also reduce or eliminate out of pocket expenses, (remember, neither Part A nor Part B pays for all of a covered person’s medical costs). Through Medicare Advantage Plans, the part B co-insurance and annual deductible can be reduced to $0. Medicare Advantage Plans can offer dental coverage, vision coverage, and other coverage and service not covered by Parts A or B. 
Medicare Advantage plans are required to offer coverage that meets or exceeds the standards set by the original Medicare program. Many Medicare Advantage Plans include Part D, prescription drug benefits, and are known as Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plans, or MAPD’s. 
Unlike traditional Medicare, Medicare Advantage Plans encourage preventative care and wellness. Medicare Advantage beneficiaries receive additional coverage and benefits not enjoyed by traditional Medicare beneficiaries. 
However, not all Medicare Advantage Plans work the same way, so it’s important to find out the rules before joining. 
Who Can Join? 
You can join the plan if you live in the plan’s service area, you have Medicare Part A and Part B, and you don’t have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). When you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, you are still in Medicare and receive all of your Part A and Part B coverage. There are some Medicare Advantage Plans that cost $0 because Medicare (the government) is paying money to the private insurance company each month on your behalf. It is important to check with your doctor and hospital to find out if they accept the plan before joining. 
How and When Can I Join? 
In most cases, you can join a Medicare Advantage Plan only at certain times during the year. You can join when you first become eligible for Medicare (3 months before you turn 65 to 3 months after the month you turn age 65) and between November 15 – December 31 each year, or starting in January 2011, an individual who enrolls in a Medicare Advantage plan may return to original Medicare and a Part D plan during the first 45 days of the year. Fall enrollment in 2011 will be October 15th - December 7th. In most cases, you must stay enrolled for that calendar year starting the date your coverage begins, except for certain situations such as; moving out of your plan’s service area or if you qualify for “extra help.”
When you join a Medicare Advantage Plan you should have handy your Medicare Card, as you will need to provide your Medicare number and the date your Part A and/or Part B coverage started.
Conclusion
For those eligible for Medicare, you must choose one of two paths; the traditional “original” Medicare plan, or a federally subsidized Medicare Advantage Plan. Many who do opt for the traditional Medicare also purchase a “Medigap” policy and a separate prescription drug policy (Part D) to patch the holes in their coverage. Medicare Advantage Plans give you the option of receiving Medicare benefits through a private health plan. Under most circumstances, Medicare Advantage Plans will save you money while increasing your coverage.
When shopping for a plan, it is important to compare premiums, co payments and deductibles. Take a look at how much you’d have to contribute toward services such as hospital stays and skilled nursing care. Does the Medicare Advantage Plan provide extra coverage you want that Original Medicare doesn’t cover? Be sure to talk to your benefits administrator to see how your other coverage or health insurance works with Medicare. To speak with a licensed representative and find out more about original Medicare and Medicare Advantage Plans, contact AMAC, The Association of Mature American Citizens at 1-888-AMAC-006 or 631-589-6675. AMAC is here to help.