FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM OCTOBER 5, 2017 • HEALTH • THE QUEENS COURIER 45
health
MEDICARE
AND MEDICAID
ENROLLMENT
Medicare Advantage: 20 years,
20 million people and 4 factors
In 1997, the federal government created
the Medicare + Choice program -
later renamed Medicare Advantage - to
enhance consumer choice and more effi -
ciently deliver Medicare benefi ts to older
Americans.
You may have heard of Medicare
Advantage, but maybe you don’t know
exactly what it is, what it off ers and how
it can help you.
Today, Medicare Advantage serves
almost 20 million people - a nearly 50
percent increase from even fi ve years ago,
according to the Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services.
Here are four important factors in why
people choose Medicare Advantage:
1. Simplicity and convenience. Medicare
Advantage plans combine all your
Medicare coverage, including Original
Medicare (Parts A and B), and oft en prescription
drug coverage, into one plan so
you only have one card to carry.
2. Predictable costs. Managing your
health care costs can be especially important
if you are living on a fi xed budget.
Many Medicare Advantage plans
off er additional benefi ts for a $0 premium
beyond the premium for Original
Medicare and have set limits on what
you have to pay out of pocket. Brian
Th ompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare
Medicare & Retirement, explains,
“Original Medicare generally covers
about 80 percent of a person’s costs for
doctor visits and other outpatient care,
leaving the individual responsible for the
rest, with no limit to what that cost may
be. Medicare Advantage, on the other
hand, off ers peace of mind and helps you
plan your health care expenses by capping
how much you may have to pay out of
your own pocket in a given year.”
3. Care Coordination. Boston
Consulting Group (BCG) analyzed
3 million Medicare claims and found
that Medicare Advantage members have
shorter hospital stays and fewer readmissions
within 30 days of leaving. Medicare
Advantage plan members are also more
likely to receive preventive care to keep
chronic illnesses in check, according to
researchers.
A possible explanation for the favorable
outcomes: care coordination. Th ompson
says, “Th e health care system is complex.
With Medicare Advantage plans, doctors
work as a comprehensive team, led
by a primary care doctor, and together
with the health plan, they help members
receive the care they need. Th is can
create more convenience and value for
the member and ultimately lead to better
health.”
4. Choice. Th ompson also points out
that “every day more than 10,000 baby
boomers turn 65, and they expect to
have choices.” Medicare Advantage plans
come in a wide variety of options, so
people can choose one that meets their
unique health and budget needs. Many
off er programs to support people with
diabetes and other chronic conditions,
and most off er additional benefi ts not
covered by Original Medicare. Perks may
include prescription drug, dental, vision
and hearing coverage, home visits, 24/7
access to health care professionals and
gym memberships.
If you want to learn more about
Medicare and options available to you,
visit MedicareMadeClear.com. You
can also learn more about Medicare
Advantage at UHCMedicarePlans.com.
Plans are insured through
UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or
one of its affi liated companies, a Medicare
Advantage organization with a Medicare
contract. Enrollment in the plan depends
on the plan’s contract renewal with
Medicare.
Courtesy BPT