Medicare Advantage is popular — but is it right for you? Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies. They offer the coverage of original Medicare — hospital and medical coverage — plus additional benefits. In 2022, 48% of eligible Medicare recipients were enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan. But does that mean it's the best choice? The following information can help you decide. Today we're talking about: - possible pros and cons of Medicare Advantage
- added benefits offered by some Medicare Advantage plans
The pros of Medicare Advantage Medicare Advantage offers a convenient way to bundle everything Medicare has to offer under one plan. And if you need more coverage than what original Medicare (parts A and B) has to offer, the additional benefits of a Medicare Advantage plan can help ensure your healthcare needs are being met. A Medicare Advantage plan might be a good option if you: - want your health coverage and prescription drug coverage under one plan
- need dental, vision, or hearing coverage for yearly preventive visits
- are comfortable with possibly having less freedom to choose healthcare professionals under your plan in exchange for a lower fee
- would benefit from a yearly out-of-pocket maximum
- don't travel often or seek medical services out of state
- frequently require lab testing or rely on durable medical equipment, such as glucose monitoring for diabetes or a walker or wheelchair
- prefer a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plan, a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan, or a Special Needs Plan (SNP)
 If you want to know which of these services your Medicare Advantage plan covers, check the plan provider's website to learn the exact details of coverage. Potential cons of a Medicare Advantage plan - It may cost more than original Medicare (this is very dependent on the type of coverage you need, though).
- It covers only services in the state where you enroll, unlike the nationwide coverage that original Medicare offers.
- You can't use a Medigap plan along with a Medicare Advantage plan to help cover the costs of your services — you can have only one or the other.
- If you're enrolled in an HMO Medicare Advantage plan, you may have a limited number of healthcare professionals to choose from.
One thing you can do today Think about your dental, vision, and hearing needs, specifically. For many folks, these benefits aren't nice-to-haves — they're essential. If you're going to end up paying a lot of money out of pocket for these services, it may be more affordable to sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan that covers them. Tomorrow, we're tackling a big topic: prescription drug coverage and avoiding penalties. Until next time,
The Healthline Team | 
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