Medicare Health Plans
What Are They?

Medicare health plans is a government insurance program designed to provide coverage to people over the age of 65. Some people younger than 65 are also eligible for Medicare, if they have certain medical disabilities, such as end stage renal disease.

Aetna Medicare plans are available as HMOs that require you to use Aetna providers, or PPOs and PFFS that allow you to choose your own doctor. Aetna has over 100 years experience in the insurance industry and is one of the largest providers in the U.S. Their plans offer fixed fees for services and flat copays that may be as low as $0. They offer useful perks like gym memberships.

Kaiser Medicare is limited to residents living in states with Kaiser Permanente medical facilities. Unless it is for emergency care, you are required to use Kaiser doctors, pharmacies, labs, x-ray facilities, and hospitals in order to receive coverage for treatment. The big perk with their Medicare health plans is since all of your medical services are provided by Kaiser; your medical records are consolidated into one place and are accessible online by you and any Kaiser healthcare provider taking care of you.

CIGNA is another big name in the insurance industry. CIGNA Medicare plans are PFFS except for the state of Arizona where an HMO is available. PFFS stands for private fee for service. These plans allow you the freedom of choosing any doctor you want and paying a set copay as long as the doctor agrees to it. The plans are available in four levels of coverage.

Humana Medicare plans are available in HMO, PFFS, and PPO versions. They cover doctor visits, hospitalizations, prescription drugs, vision, and hearing for a flat copay. Humana combines many perks with its plans that include an online health management center, online account management, free gym memberships and case management.

United Healthcare Medicare plans are available as HMOs that require you use a doctor in their network, supplement plans, part D drug coverage, and coverage for special needs. United Healthcare is a popular provider and offers plans through AARP and other well-known organizations. They provide coverage to one in five Medicare recipients enrolled in Medicare health plans.

To be eligible for enrollment in one of these Medicare health plans, you must be eligible to receive Medicare. This means you must be 65 or older and have worked for at least ten years in Medicare-covered employment. You may also qualify if you are under 65 years of age and have specific disabilities. You can visit or call your local Social Security office and find out if you qualify and when your coverage will commence. Once you are enrolled in Medicare, you can sign up with a Medicare health plan during the open enrollment period at the end of the year.

Medicare plans provide coverage for various parts of the Medicare program. Medicare A helps cover expenses incurred during hospitalization and in a skilled nursing facility. Hospice and home healthcare are also included. Medicare part B provides coverage for outpatient care and doctor's visits. It also pays for services like physical therapy and occupational therapy. Medicare part C includes the various Medicare health plans offered by private insurance companies. Medicare part D is drug coverage and is also available from private insurance companies.

The benefits and costs of Medicare health plans vary among providers and can even vary among geographic locations with the same provider. You should examine your choices carefully so you make a wise decision. Also consider your medical condition and weigh the number and cost of your prescriptions and expected medical treatments against the degree of coverage you choose so you get the best care at an affordable price.

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