Medicare Advantage plans are part of the Medicare program and represent an additional coverage option. A Medicare Advantage plan replaces Original Medicare. With a Medicare Advantage plan, you will receive coverage for all Part A and Part B-covered services. And most Medicare Advantage plans include Part D drug coverage. Private organizations like insurance companies contract with Medicare on a yearly basis in order to offer Medicare Advantage plans.
Medicare Advantage HMO (Health Maintenance Organization)
With a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plan, you have one doctor to coordinate your care with specialists and other health care providers. With this type of plan, you must choose a primary care provider (PCP) to coordinate your care and refer you to specialists. With most Medicare HMOs you must use doctors, specialists, and hospitals in the plan’s network in order to receive coverage, except in a few cases, like medical emergencies.
If your employer offers group health coverage for employees when they retire, be sure to consider your options carefully.