Who is Eligible to join a Medicare Advantage Plan?

[Mack]

The requirements to join a Medicare Advantage Plan is as follows:

• You must have Medicare Part A and Part B.

• You must in the area that your plan serves.

• You don’t have End-Stage Renal Disease

If you already have other health insurance coverate you should talk to your benefits administrator concerning their rules before you apply for a Medicare Advantage Plan because in some cases joining a Medicare Advantage Plan could cause you to lose employer coverage.

If you have a Medigap policy and join a Medicare Advantage Plan most likely you will want to drop your Medigap policy because it can't be used to pay copayments or deductibles or premiums for the Medicare Advantage Plan. If you do drop your Medigap policy, you may not be able to get it back should you change your mind later.

 

[MrLightRail]

Is there a Medicare Advantage plan that will work for someone who travels the country in an RV?

 

[Mack]

Is there a Medicare Advantage plan that will work for someone who travels the country in an RV?

Welcome to MyMedicareForum.com!

The Medicare Advantage Plans have specific service areas which have networks of doctors and hospitals that you must use. So you would need to get care in the service area where your Medigap plan was issued, which would be the area you list as your home. As far as I know there is no nationwide Medigap plan.

Your best bet is original Medicare and a Medicare supplement plan which can be used anywhere in the country where a provider accepts Medicare.

 

[mattspits]

As Mack said, MA plans are designed for use in your home area, however; I will say that you may want to look at PPO MA plans. A PPO allows you to use your coverage out of network. You will pay higher copays because you are out of network, but it will still cover you. Some plans like United Healthcare's Medicare Complete allow you to notify the company of the area you will be in so that you may use the plan as In-network for that area. You definitely want to avoid any HMO plans if you travel at all. All MA plans have allowances for you to use an Urgent care center if you are sick, or an emergency room for emergencies when you are traveling. The best solution for someone traveling extensively would definitely be a Medicare supplement.