Updated 30 minutes 26 seconds ago
Oct 10, 2024
How do I choose a Medicare Advantage plan?
$0 premiums and a new debit card loaded with savings help win over a retired couple
As roughly 11,000 Americans age into the Medicare program each day, health insurers are offering Medicare Advantage plans with a broad range of new benefits to meet unique needs.
“Everyone’s individual circumstances are unique — their income level, the doctors they see, the drugs they take — so each person needs to figure out what kind of plan and what carrier will work for them,” said Akshay Jindal, a partner at Oliver Wyman, a management consulting firm based in New York.
For example, through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, members can find Medicare Advantage plans that include nearly 30 complimentary programs.
“In the case of our $0 Medicare Advantage plan, that includes everything from help managing chronic conditions like diabetes to post-hospital meals to a 24/7 nurse line, all at no additional cost for our members,”
- Gloria Paradiso, a vice president on Blue Cross’ Medicare team.
Three top reasons for choosing a plan
Bob “Hawk” Anderson and his wife Ellen first heard about Blue Cross’ plans from a friend.
The 77-year-old grandparents from Duxbury, Mass., had been on Medicare supplemental plans with higher monthly premiums. They made the switch to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts three years ago and cite three prime reasons.
First, Blue Cross’ Medicare Advantage plan had a $0 premium.
“At first I thought the plan was too good to be true,” said Bob, who retired from the electronics business 12 years ago. “But we decided to give it a try, and I’m glad we did.”
Medicare Advantage plans like the Andersons’ have grown in popularity in recent years in large part due to lower premiums and richer benefits, such as dental, vision, hearing, fitness and more, Paradiso noted.
Second, a broad array of savings options.
Bob’s new favorite part of the plan is the Flex Card that Blue Cross introduced this year – a debit card loaded with up to $2,160 in savings for over-the-counter expenses; fitness and weight-loss programs, including pools, fitness equipment and virtual classes; dental, vision and hearing copays; and rewards for healthy activities like annual wellness visits.
“The Flex Card is terrific. I think my wife and I will max out our Flex Cards this year,” he said.
Bob plans to spend the dental, vision and hearing Flex Card amount on dental services, and also will make sure to use up the money he gets each quarter for over-the-counter expenses.
This year, Ellen used part of her Flex Card to buy a stationary bike.
The Medicare Advantage plan has seen Bob through some recent health issues, as well.
“Everything has been covered, and my drugs have been covered, too.”
Third, simplicity.
More than half of all seniors eligible for Medicare are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, or more than 27 million Americans.
Under these plans, Medicare contracts with private health plans to cover all of the costs of their enrollees’ care, including prescriptions, in exchange for a monthly payment.
Bob likes the simplicity of getting his Medicare coverage from one entity.
He has been so happy with his Blue Cross Medicare Advantage plan that he regularly encourages his golf buddies to give it a look.
“I tell them that they’re going to be so happy with me for recommending this plan that maybe they’ll even give me some strokes on the golf course.”
Paradiso notes that everyone has a different set of circumstances that may impact their plan selection: “When it comes to Medicare, there is no one-size-fits-all. Our goal is to help seniors find the plan that makes the most sense for them.”
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services offers help finding a plan at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), 24 hours a day, seven days a week. TTY users call 1-877-486-2048. The Medicare Plan Finder at www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan is another useful tool.
Massachusetts residents also can get help from Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone (SHINE), 1-800-243-4636, or www.SHINEMA.org. SHINE’s certified counselors provide free, unbiased Medicare information to beneficiaries throughout Massachusetts all year long.
“You also can visit the websites of different carriers such as Blue Cross to see the types of plans they offer and compare plans,” Paradiso added. "Or pick up the phone and call the number on the website. Health plans, including Blue Cross, have a team of people available for personalized assistance in picking a plan.”
Did you find this article informative?
All Coverage content can be reprinted for free.
Read more here.
PHOTOS OF BOB AND ELLEN ANDERSON BY FAITH NINIVAGGI