If you’re looking for more benefits than traditional Medicare offers, Medicare Advantage plans might be well worth consideration. Shyamala Arani Purushotham, MD, FACP, CPHQ, and Pooja Naik, MD, of Passion Health Primary Care in Frisco, Irving, Seven Points / Kemp, or Plano, Texas, gladly welcome patients with Medicare and Medicare Advantage, so call or schedule a visit online.

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What is Medicare Advantage?

Medicare Advantage plans are a form of health insurance made available by private companies that adhere to the rules laid out by Medicare. When you purchase a Medicare Advantage plan, you’re still covered under traditional Medicare, but your Advantage plan will cover most of your health services.

There are many different plans to choose from, each with a distinct set of offerings. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer these additional benefits:

  • Vision care Hearing care
  • Certain dental services
  • Over-the-counter drugs
  • Transportation to medical visits
  • Fitness programs

The best way to get the most out of your Advantage plan is to create a list of benefits you’d likely use, then shop for an option that offers those benefits.

How is Medicare Advantage different from standard Medicare?

Every American over age 65 is entitled to Medicare coverage. Medicare Advantage offers the option to purchase private insurance coverage that offers additional benefits yet still conforms to the established Medicare rules.

There are some important differences between traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage. For example, Advantage plans require you to use doctors within their network.

Your out-of-pocket costs might be higher than with traditional Medicare, but annual spending limits could mean you pay less overall during years you need more health services. You’ll also need to get your health services and supplies pre-approved, while traditional Medicare doesn’t require prior authorizations.

When can I sign up for Medicare Advantage?

You can sign up for Medicare Advantage when you first become eligible for traditional Medicare, which for most people is their 65th birthday. You can also sign up or switch plans during the Medicare Advantage open enrollment period, which runs October 15 through December 7.

If you already have a Medicare Advantage plan and want to switch to a new plan, you can do so from January 1 to March 31 each year. You can also drop your Advantage plan and return to traditional Medicare during this timeframe.

Medicare Advantage is a good fit for many people, and the team at Passion Health Primary Care enjoys working with patients as they near or move through their retirement years.

If you’d like to schedule a visit, online booking is an option, or you can always reach out by phone to find a time that fits your schedule.