Eastern Shore Medicare Advantage Plans Available Now
Medicare Advantage Plans Available on The Eastern Shore of Maryland
Medicare eligible residents on the Eastern Shore of Maryland can now enroll into Medicare Advantage Plans. Prior to 2022, Advantage Plans were extremely limited in this are of Maryland. But as of October 15th, 2021, residents have full access.
The selection of Eastern Shore Medicare Advantage Plans in Maryland were extremely limited until now with only 2 companies offering limited plans in only select counties. Starting in 2022, there will be four new companies to enter into the Eastern Shore counties.
HUMANA LPPO: Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot.
UNITED HEALTHCARE DSNP: Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot.
ALTERWOOD ADVANTAGE: Somerset, Wicomico, Worcester, Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot.
CAREFIRST has announced an expansion over the bridge into three Eastern Shore counties of Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester. Additionally, CareFirst is expanding into Calvert and Saint Mary's Counties.
Alterwood Advantage is a brand new company for 2022 and has some amazing plan offerings throughout Maryland. They offer both HMO and DSNP Plans and have a "give back" option which puts money back into your Social Security Check each month (this specific give-back plan does not include Rx coverage) These additions would add to existing companies offering plans on the Eastern Shore which were previously Lasso Healthcare (all counties) and the Johns Hopkins Medicare Advantage Plan (in select counties).
"MEDICARE IS ALL I DO."
Since 2011, I've been an independent Medicare insurance broker. There are no costs for my services and you'll never pay extra for your insurance if you allow me to help you. I am compensated by each carrier and they all pay me exactly the same, so I'm not biased to push you towards one or the other. I currently live in Annapolis with my wife Kim and my four daughters. Call anytime...learn more >>.
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Benefits Of A Medicare Advantage Plan On The Eastern Shore
There are dozens of benefits built inside of a Medicare Advantage Plan that you simply do not receive when on original Medicare (A & B only). Even most Medicare Supplement Plans do not include any added benefits like Dental insurance, Vision or Hearing benefits.
What typically sets Advantage Plans apart are these little "extra" benefits found in the Summary of Benefits. I can provide you with a Summary of Benefits for any Eastern Shore Medicare Advantage Plan, just email or call me. There is no cost for this.
Here are some common "extra benefits" that may be included in your Medicare Advantage Plan (varies by carrier & plan):
DRUG COVERAGE - All MAPD Plans include Rx coverage built in (you don't pay extra for the coverage). You'll still be expected to may co-payments when you fill your meds, but there is no monthly premium due each month for the Part D coverage!
DENTAL INSURANCE - Several Eastern Shore Medicare Advantage plans have preventative services for free, yes free! That means you don't pay anything for simple preventative procedures like cleanings and oral exams. There are Medicare Advantage Plans on the Eastern Shore that include both preventative and comprehensive dental coverage. That means you can get a filling, caps, crowns etc. without needing any extra dental insurance coverage. There's no cost to have the coverage (it's included in your monthly plan premium) but there are typically small co-payments or co-insurance amounts that you will be responsible for.
TRANSPORTATION - Some of the new plans offer free transportation (door-to-door) to plan approved locations. This is a fantastic way to make sure you get to the Doctor's office on time, without the need to park or deal with traffic. It's also convenient when you're sick or physically unable to drive (or on heavy medications). Any carrier that offers this service must make available all types of transportation to facilitate those with special needs, such as walkers, wheel chairs or those requiring a gurney. Additionally, these services allow you to bring along one companion to ride with you. The only requirement is that you make a reservation in advance, usually 24 hours, and they limit your distance, typically 50 miles one-way or less. So if you live on the Eastern Shore, and your networked Doctor is in Annapolis, you will probably be able to have the Medicare Advantage Plan's transportation benefit handle your transport to and from the visit!
VISION - Vision benefits are not the same as being able to access a specialist like an ophthalmologist, those visits are always covered by Medicare, as long as it's medically necessary. What we mean by "vision benefits" are the extras, like a free or low-cost annual vision exam or money towards the purchase of new lenses or frames. Let me give you an example. Let's say you have a $150 annual benefit for "vision benefits." This means you can go to the plan's networked vision specialists (like Pearl Vision) and buy a pair of prescription glasses (or contacts) and the first $150 of the purchase is covered by the Eastern Shore Medicare Advantage Plan. The balance is your responsibility, but that's still an amazing deal! Benefit levels vary by plan.
HEARING - Just like the Vision benefit description, these benefits are separate from a hearing specialist (which everyone can access as long as it's medically necessary). A typically hearing benefit might be a free hearing exam annually, or deeply discounted pricing on select hearing aids. I've seen savings as high as 70% using this type of benefit.
ACUPUNCTURE - I'm personally not a fan, but I know millions of people love their Acupuncture. Some of these plans actually have this as a benefit. How this typically works is you access a network of acupuncturist (your plan will provide you with a link to search) and you simply self-refer to one. You will probably have a small co-payment, usually $20 per visit, and you will be limited to a certain amount of visits per year, typically 6 to 12.
CHIROPRACTIC - Just like acupuncture, the Chiropractic benefits work the same way. Sometimes a plan will mingle the two together, giving you 20 visits between the two types of alternative medicine services per year, and you get to choose which one you'll go to (you can mix-n-match).
OVER THE COUNTER ITEMS - Any item you can buy in a CVS or a Walgreen's without a prescription is considered an "OTC" item. Some of the new Eastern Shore Medicare Advantage Plans will be offering an OTC benefit. They give you a set dollar amount to spend each quarter, like $25. You can look through their catalog of items and order online or by phone. The items ship for free. These items are things like food pantry items (rice, beans, bread etc), band aids, creams, lotions, vitamins etc. They have both brand name items and store brands available.
There are many more "extra benefits" that these plans may offer such as Part B give-backs, gym memberships, 24hr Nurse hotline, routine podiatry visits, telehealth visits and lifestyle meds such as Viagra (or the generic equivalent).
Don't rule out these Advantage Plans simply because you heard something bad about them. There's something here for everyone and you should at least look at the Summary of Benefits for each new Eastern Shore Medicare Advantage Plan.
"But I won't be able to switch back to my Supplement Plan right?"
Wrong. You can go back to your Medicare Supplement plan at ANY TIME within the first 12 months of trying a Medicare Advantage Plan for the first time (this must be your first time on a Medicare Advantage plan), without any medical questions. You are GUARANTEED to be approved even if you have pre-existing conditions. This is a Medicare rule, people just don't know about it.
This is called a "Trial Right" and you can read about it on Medicare.gov's website. It's the 5th option down on the page. If your previous broker didn't tell you about this amazing rule, get a new broker!
If you decide to keep your Advantage plan past this one year trial period, and later decide to go back to any Medicare Supplement plan, you will be required to answer health questions at that time. You may be denied coverage if you have certain preexisting conditions. Call me to discuss this option.
DID YOU KNOW? Everyone, regardless of income or health, qualifies for Medicare Advantage Part C Plans! There are no longer any medical questions to be approved. All you need is Medicare parts A & B and live in one of the counties serviced by the plan.
If you live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland call
(410)896-1212
You can call 24/7, if I don't personally answer, one of my assistants will take a quick message. I look forward to helping you!