California Medicare Advantage Plans

A Few Extra Things You Should Know about Medicare Advantage Plans:

Open Enrollment Period: October 15 through December 7, 2011

During the Open Enrollment you can change how you receive your health coverage and add, change or drop drug coverage. You can make as many changes as you want. The last change that is made is the one that will take effect. Changes made during the Fall Open Enrollment 2011 will take effect January 1 2012.

What you can do:

• Change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan.
• Change from a Medicare Advantage Plan back to Original Medicare.
• Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another Medicare Advantage Plan.
• Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn’t offer drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers drug coverage.
• Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn’t offer drug coverage.
• Join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
• Switch from one Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to another Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
• Drop your Medicare prescription drug coverage completely.

Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period 2012: January 1, 2012 – February 14, 2012

During the Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period you can switch from a Medicare private health plan (also known as a Medicare Advantage plan) to Original Medicare. Regardless of whether the Medicare private health plan had drug coverage, you can join a stand-alone prescription drug plan, but you are not required to. Changes made during the MADP go into effect the first day of the following month.

What you can do:

• If you are in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can leave your plan and switch to Original Medicare.
• If you switch to Original Medicare during this period, you will have until February 14 to also join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to add drug coverage. Your coverage will begin the first day of the month after the plan gets your enrollment form.
  Note: During this period, you can’t do the following:
• Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan.
• Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another.
• Switch from one Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to another.
• Join, switch, or drop a Medicare Medical Savings Account Plan.

Special Election Period

Outside of the Annual Enrollment Period you may enroll in an Advantage Plan:

• If you are turning 65, you may do this 3 months prior the month of your birthday, the month of your birth and 3 months after your birthday
• If you are on disability, even if you are under 65
• If you are moving to California
• If you are dropped from a group plan you have 63 days to enroll

From the many California Medicare Advantage Plans available we select the ones which are most popular as they offer no additional premiums and fit most peoples needs.

Am I Eligible For A Medicare Advantage Plan?

If you or your loved one are Medicare-eligible, and enrolled in Medicare Part A and B benefits, you can sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan.

• Pre-existing conditions do not matter (exclusion: Patients who have End-Stage Renal Disease as a pre-existing condition are not eligible for a Medicare Advantage plan).

• No physicals required.

The Advantages Of A Medicare Advantage Plan

Medicare Advantage plans can provide you benefits that are not covered by Medicare Part A and B such as vision, dental, hearing, and preventing services like annual physicals.

Some Medicare Advantage Plans have $0 Premiums

Some Medicare Advantage Plans offer health coverage at no additional cost over what you already pay for your Medicare. While some plans have a no monthly plan premium, others do. You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium unless paid for under Medicaid or by another third party. Plans with prescription drug coverage are available in all service areas.

Prescription Drug Coverage

Even when you are not sure right now whether you need Medicare Part D Prescription Drug coverage, you can get it with a Medicare Advantage plan that has prescription drug coverage. Co-pays and limits apply. In addition, for PPO, RPPO and HMO-POS plans, out-of-network services may cost more than in-network services. Medicare prescription drug plans are open to anyone who is Medicare-eligible, and several options are available to meet your needs. If you have Medicare and Medicaid, you may be enrolled automatically in Part D. Participation is voluntary, and you cannot be denied for health reasons.

Coverage For Preventive Care

California Medicare Advantage plans have benefits that are not covered by Medicare Part A and B, including vision, dental, hearing, preventive services like annual physicals, and coverage for emergency services while traveling. Some Medicare Advantage plans also offer features for fitness programs.

Coverage For Doctor Visits And Hospital Stays

Some Medicare Advantage plans are designed to provide predictable co-pays for doctor and specialist visits, as well as hospital stays. In many cases, you can even see specialists without a referral.

It is important to make the right choice before signing up for a Medicare Advantage plan by carefully reviewing and comparing different plans. Please call us at 1-800-266-3618 or click here to email us. We are happy to explain the benefits, services and the costs of the Medicare Advantage plans we offer, and how they compare to your current health care coverage.

Calling the number above will direct you to a licensed agent/broker.

Disclosure: This is a solicitation of insurance. By providing this information, you agree that an authorized representative or licensed insurance agent/producer may contact you by phone, e-mail, or mail to answer your questions or provide additional information about Medicare Advantage, Part D or Medicare Supplement Insurance plans.