Medicare Advantage is an all-in-one alternative to Original Medicare offered by private insurance companies and regulated by the federal government. Our licensed insurance advisors help Northeast Ohio residents compare the plans available in their ZIP code.
A Medicare Advantage plan replaces the way you receive your Part A and Part B benefits. Instead of being billed through Original Medicare, your care is coordinated through a private carrier's network of doctors and hospitals.
Plan designs vary widely by county, and many plans often include additional benefits beyond Parts A and B. Benefits, networks, premiums, and copays differ from plan to plan.
Part A hospital and Part B medical coverage in a single plan
Many plans include Part D prescription drug coverage
Annual out-of-pocket maximum, which Original Medicare does not have
Some plans offer extras such as dental, vision, or hearing benefits
How networks work in Cuyahoga and surrounding counties
Northeast Ohio has a dense hospital landscape, so the single most important question is whether your doctors and preferred health systems are in a plan's network. HMO plans generally require you to stay in network; PPO plans allow out-of-network care at a higher cost.
We check your specific physicians and pharmacies against each plan before you enroll, so there are no surprises in January.
When you can enroll
Most people first enroll during their Initial Enrollment Period, the seven-month window around their 65th birthday. After that, the Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 through December 7 each year, with changes effective January 1.
Certain life events, such as moving to a new county or losing employer coverage, may create a Special Enrollment Period. Call us and we will confirm which window applies to you.