Medicare Advantage

In most cases, insurance companies will offer four types of Medicare Part C plans. These plans are Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Plans, Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO), Private Fee-For-Service Plans (PFFS), and Special Needs Plans (SNPs).

HMO plans have a specific network and will require you to choose a primary care physician who will refer you to specialists. PPO plans are more flexible with the trade-off of a higher cost. They do have a network, but out-of-network coverage can still be covered. Private Fee-For-Service plans offer the maximum flexibility in availability in providers but might cost more in the long run and not all providers accept PFFS plans. Special Needs Plans are tailored to those eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid with certain chronic conditions.

You may enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan during your Initial Enrollment period, which is the same time you can enroll in Medicare Part A, Part B, Part D, and Supplements. This period is three months before your 65th birthday and three months after. If you qualify for Medicare due to a disability (not age) If eligible through Social Security benefits, you can enroll after receiving benefits for 24 months, extending to three months later.

Other times you may be able to enroll, such as if you qualify for during a Special Election Period which can occur due to certain life events such as moving, losing other coverage, or other qualifying circumstances. Still, it is generally recommended to register during the Initial Enrollment period.