Medicare Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage, is a plan offered by the government that provides health insurance coverage to those who are eligible for Medicare. It is an alternative to traditional Medicare, and it offers many benefits that are not available with original Medicare. In this blog post, we will discuss what Medicare Part C covers in 2022 and how it can benefit you or your loved one.
What Does it Cover For Inpatient Care?
Medicare Part C plans will cover all of the inpatient care that is covered under Medicare Part A. This includes hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, and home health care. In addition, Medicare Advantage plans may offer coverage for hospice care and some outpatient services that are not covered by original Medicare.
Medicare Part C may have different cost-sharing amounts for inpatient care and home health care than the Original Medicare has. With Medicare Advantage, your hospice care benefits will still be covered by Original Medicare. NEW TO MEDICARE?
What Does it Cover For Outpatient Care?
Under Original Medicare, outpatient care is generally covered by Medicare Part B. Outpatient care includes medically necessary services and preventive services to prevent or detect disease. Medicare Part C covers the same benefits as Medicare Part B including:
- Doctor visits (primary care doctor and specialists)
- Laboratory tests and X-rays
- Ambulance services in an emergency
- Both inpatient and outpatient mental health services
- Durable medical equipment such as walkers and wheelchairs
- Preventative tests and vaccines, including flu shots
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech and language pathology
Medicare Part C may have different cost-sharing amounts for outpatient care than the Original Medicare has.
What Are Some of The Extra Benefits Part C Covers?
In addition to the benefits offered by Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans may offer extra benefits such as:
- Routine dental and vision care
- Hearing services and hearing aids
- Fitness programs
- Prescription drug coverage
- Telehealth services
Not all Medicare Part C plans cover extra benefits in the same way. For example, some Medicare Part C plans may only cover “Medicare-covered dental benefits” which generally only means dental care in the event of an accident or disease of the jaw. If your Medicare Part C covers dental benefits more extensively, you may have a higher monthly premium for that coverage.
What Should I Do If My Plan Doesn’t Cover Something I Need?
If you find that your Medicare Advantage plan does not cover a service that you need, you can file an appeal with the insurance company. You will need to provide evidence to support your appeal, and the insurance company will have a certain amount of time to respond.
You also have the option of switching to a different Medicare Advantage plan during the annual open enrollment period. This is the time of year when you can make changes to your Medicare coverage, and it generally runs from October 15th to December 7th.
How Can I Find Out If My Doctor Takes My C Plan?
If you have a doctor that you see regularly, you can contact their office to find out if they accept Medicare Advantage plans. You can also use the Find a Doctor tool on the Medicare website. This tool allows you to search for doctors in your area who participate in Medicare Advantage plans.
When choosing a Medicare Advantage plan, it is important to consider what you need and what is available in your area. You should also compare the costs of different plans to find one that fits your budget. If you have any questions about Medicare Advantage, please contact us and we would be happy to help!
What Are The Different Kinds of C Plans Available?
There are a variety of Medicare Advantage plans available, including Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs), Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans, and Special Needs Plans (SNPs). HMOs and PPOs are the most common types of Medicare Advantage plans. HMOs usually have a network of doctors and hospitals that you can use. PPOs also have a network of providers, but you can see out-of-network providers as well. PFFS plans do not have networks, and you can generally see any Medicare-approved provider who accepts the plan’s terms and conditions. SNPs are for people with specific diseases or conditions, such as diabetes or end-stage renal disease.
Choosing the right plan is as simple as finding the right questions to ask. When choosing a plan give us a call so we can help your decision to be a successful one.