What it covers:
Medicare Advantage Plans contract with Medicare to provide you with all your Part A and Part B benefits. Medicare Advantage plans often also offer additional coverage benefits to their members such as prescription drug coverage, dental benefits or transportation (usually limited to 10 trips per year). It's important to learn as much as you can about what the MA plan covers. Often MA plans have strict in and out of network coverage areas. This may limit your ability to travel and have insurance coverage outside your network. It is important that you make sure your dialysis facility and your transplant center are in-network with the MA plan you choose. MA plans may also require a co-pay during each clinic visit. Click here to learn more about Medicare Advantage Plans.
Can ESRD patients enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan?
Beginning in 2021, people with kidney failure (ESRD) will be able to enroll in Medicare Advantage plans.
Who offers Medicare Advantage Plans?
A Medicare Advantage Plan is a type of Medicare health plan offered by private insurance companies.
Cost:
Since Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies, they have a varying monthly premiums and coverage benefits. MA plans may require a co-pay during each clinic visit. It is important to research your options among Medicare Advantage plans as well as compared to traditional Medicare and a Medigap (supplemental) policy.
Where can I find a Medicare Advantage Plans?
You can find Medicare Advantage Plans through the Medicare website's Plan Finder.
When can I enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan?
You can enroll and make changes in your Medicare Advantage plan each year during open enrollment - October 15–December 7.
What if I want to disenroll and sign up for regular Medicare again?
You can disenroll and sign up for regular Medicare between January 1–February 14 each year. You may not be able to enroll in a Medigap policy later on if you don’t sign up for one when you first become eligible for Medicare.
What is a Medicare Special Needs Plan (SNPs)?
Medicare SNPs are a type of Medicare Advantage Plan. Medicare SNPs limit membership to people with specific diseases, such as kidney failure (ESRD), and tailor their benefits, provider choices, and drug formularies to best meet the specific needs of people with kidney failure. Click here to learn more about Medicare Special Needs Plans.
Medicare SNPs are not available everywhere. Each year Medicare SNPs offer plans in different parts of the country. These plans are offered by private insurance companies, so they decide where to offer them. They may serve people in a particular state or only certain counties. Click here to find a plan in your area.
If you are enrolled in a Medicare SNPs you can decide each year during open enrollment whether to stay in that plan or change to traditional Medicare.