Medicare Advantage PPO vs Medicare Supplement

Major differences exist between a Medicare Advantage PPO Plan and a Medicare Supplement Plan. This post will explain the differences and what you need to know about them. Many people become confused thinking they have a PPO plan when they have a Medicare Supplement Plan. We will describe each plan and how to tell the difference between them. There are a few important things to consider when you select a plan.

Medicare Advantage PPO Plan.

• With an Advantage PPO Plan you only have one card that you use for, doctors, outpatient services, hospitals, and drugs.
• Your Advantage PPO Plan is issued by an independent insurance company.
• You have a maximum out-of-pocket for both In-Network and Out-Of-Network.
• You pay more if you choose to go out-of-network when seeing a provider.
• The network could be local or national.
• Each year there could be changes to the policy by the company you have chosen.
• You may or may not have a monthly premium which would be paid to the company you have chosen.
• You do not need a referral to see any provider within the network.
• If you go out of the network, you need to have the provider you plan to see confirm that they accept your PPO Plan before making an appointment.

Medicare Supplement Plan.

• With a Medicare Supplement Plan, you use your Medicare card, which is primary, and also your supplement card when seeing a provider.
• Depending on the Supplement Plan you have you may pay nothing when seeing a provider or an annual deductible.
• You pay a monthly premium to the company that you have chosen for your Medicare Supplement Plan.
• You can see any provider or hospital that accepts Medicare without a referral.
• You have a separate drug card for prescriptions.

Conclusion:

As you can see, there are many differences between a Medicare PPO Plan and a Medicare Supplement Plan. You need to understand which plan you have and, if it is a PPO Plan, you need to make sure you read your Annual Notice of Change each year during open enrollment. If you have a Medicare Supplement plan there is no Annual Open Enrollment. However, you do need to read your Annual Notice of Change for your Part D Drug Plan, which may change each year.

If you would like to compare Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Supplement Plans, or Part D drug plans in your area and live in one of the following states, tap on the state: Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, or Washington.

Call 800-641-3315 and ask for Roy.

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If you live near Huntington Beach, California, and want an experienced local Independent Medicare Agent, please visit Welch Insurance for Medicare.