How to Change Medicare Advantage Plans

Since the 1980s, the government-run health care program, Medicare, has been giving seniors choices in their health care coverage. Many retired seniors prefer traditional Medicare, but this does not cover everything, such as eyeglasses and dentures, which is why many choose a Medicare Advantage Plan. With so many choices, it is no wonder many seniors want to change their Medicare Advantage Plan often. Changing plans is very easy.

Instructions

• 1

  Familiarize yourself with the different types of Medicare Advantage Plans and what they offer. There are generally two types of Medicare Advantage Plans, Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) and Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs). The main difference between these two types of coverage is that HMOs require you to have a primary physician and only go to doctors and hospitals within the network. HMOs also require that your primary physician make referrals to see specialists. PPOs are more flexible, allowing you to see a specialist without a referral and paying a portion of the cost for a doctor or hospital visit out of their network.

• 2

  Go to http://www.medicare.gov/ and click on compare plans. You can also search for plans in your area. Determine which plan best meets your needs and is the most cost effective. The Kaiser Foundation recommends that you follow these guidelines to choose a Medicare Advantage Plan: accessibility to doctors and hospitals in your area; extra benefits, such as prescription drug coverage, eye and dental car; cost, such as premiums, co-pays and deductibles; and quality and reputation of the insurance company

• 3

  Switch your Medicare Advantage Plan during open enrollment, which is between January 1 to March 31. You can enroll online at the following Medicare Advantage Plan Internet link: http://www.medicare.gov/MPPF/Include/DataSection/Questions/EnrollDirectly.asp.