What Is The Best Medicare Advantage Plan In Arizona

Special Enrollment Periods If You Get Extra Help

• Qualify for Medicare and Medicaid: You can join, drop, or change MA plans once a quarter for the first three quarters of the year.
• Qualify for help for drug coverage: You can join, drop, or change drug coverage options.
• State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program: You can join a Medicare Part D drug plan or a Medicare Advantage plan with Part D coverage included if youre enrolled in or lose coverage through SPAP.

Do You Also Have Ahcccs Coverage

People who qualify for both Medicare and AHCCCS coverage are called dual eligibles. Most dual eligibles do not have to pay Medicare premiums, because either AHCCCS pays them or because the person also qualifies for a Medicare Savings Program. AHCCCS, including AHCCCS Freedom to Work, may also help pay for Medicare co-insurance and deductibles, as well as some services Medicare doesnt cover. Thats why you shouldnt decline Medicare Parts B or D if you also qualify for AHCCCS.

If you qualify for both Medicare and AHCCCS, there are different ways to get your medical coverage:

• You can have separate Original Medicare and AHCCCS coverage. This gives you more flexibility to choose your medical providers, but some may not accept AHCCCS or Medicare as payment, which could mean you have to pay more.
• You can have a Medicare Advantage plan with separate AHCCCS coverage. This can be a problem if you have a AHCCCS managed care plan with a different provider network than your Medicare Advantage network.
• You can have a Medicare Advantage plan that is integrated with AHCCCS coverage. These are called Dual Special Needs Plans . With a D-SNP, theres less paperwork and you dont have to worry so much about which of your benefits pays for which medical services.

Legalities Of Medicare In Arizona

The Department of Health and Human Services oversees and regulates the Medicare program through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services . The Social Security Administration helps you enroll in Medicare.

The federal government partners with approved private health insurance companies for Medicare Part C and Part D. Private companies must follow certain rules to maintain approval by Medicare.

Read Also: Where Do I Apply For Medicare Card

What Is The Best Medicare Plan

If you decide to stick with Original Medicare, you won’t have to choose a particular plan Part A and Part B are the same for everyone. But if you’ve decided on additional coverage like Medicare Advantage, Part D or a Medigap plan you have some work to do. Where do you begin? With so many plans available, there’s not just one plan that’s “the best.” There’s only the plan that’s best for your specific situation.

Is Medicare Advantage Right For You

You have choices in Medicare coverage. While you can opt to stick with Original Medicare, a Medicare Advantage Plan also known as Part C may be a better alternative for you.

Also Check: Are All Medicare Plan F The Same

How To Choose Between A Medicare Advantage Or Medicare Supplement Plan

A Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement plan can help minimize some of these costs associated with Original Medicare. To figure out if a Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage plan is right for you, the questions to ask yourself should include:

• Do I already have supplemental coverage, like dental, vision, and hearing, or do I want that to be included in my Medicare plan?

• Do I need to include prescription drugs with my plan? What kind prescription drug coverage am I looking for?

• Will I split my time between two or more homes in different states?

• Do I want to be able to choose any doctor in the country for medical care?

Though these are viable alternative options, you legally cannot enroll in a Medicare Advantage and Medical Supplement plan at the same time.

Arizona Department Of Economic Security

The Arizona Department of Economic Securitys Division of Aging and Adult Services operates the State Health Insurance Program to help seniors with Medicare application and benefits questions. This free health benefits counseling service is federally funded by the Administration for Community Living. It helps Medicare-eligible individuals, their families, and caregivers make informed decisions about Medicare and Medicare Advantage Plans. It can also provide information to low-income Medicare recipients on how to get help paying for monthly premiums and finding assistance with Medicare prescription drug costs and doctor and hospital visits.

Contact Information:Website | 542-6439 or 432-4040

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Make The Right Decision For You

There are many factors you need to consider when choosing a Medicare Advantage PPO plan. Above we have highlighted some important factors for you to consider, however, we realize each person has their own personal needs. When you meet with our team be open about your healthcare, financial needs and preferences so can help you find the right solution for you.

Making the right decision might seem challenging given the complexity of Medicare and the choice overload. However, our local team is here to help, at no additional cost to you. It is our job to make sure whatever decision you make is stress-free and you walk away with a full understanding of your selection. Furthermore, we will continue to help you and your family throughout your healthcare journey, serving as a trusted advocate for many years to come.

Top 3 Medicare Supplements In Arizona

Looking for the three best Medigap plans available in Arizona? They are Medicare Supplement Plan FMedicare Supplement Plan F is the most comprehensive Medicare supplement plan available. This plan covers all Original Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments, leaving you with no out-of-pocket costs on all Medicare-approved services…., Medicare Supplement Plan GIf you’re turning age 65 this year, Medicare Supplement Plan G is the most comprehensive Medicare supplement you can buy. It’s also the most popular. You might be thinking that Medicare Supplement Plan F is…, and Medicare Supplement Plan NMedicare Supplemental Plan N is one of the ten standardized Medigap plans. Although it is one of the newest plans available, Medicare Plan N is quickly becoming a favorite with Baby Boomers aging into their…. Here are the 10 best insurance companies that offer these plans:

Also Check: Is Prolia Covered By Medicare Part B Or Part D

What Is The Average Cost Of Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans In Each State

There are 10 standardized Medicare Supplement Insurance plans available in most states.

Plan G is available in most states and is one of the most popular Medigap plans. Medigap Plan G is, in fact, the second-most popular Medigap plan. 22 percent of all Medigap beneficiaries are enrolled in Plan G.2

The chart below shows the average monthly premium for Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan G for each state in 2018.3

• Wisconsin, Hawaii and Iowa had the plans with the lowest average monthly premiums, around $102 per month.
• The highest average monthly Medigap premiums were in New York, at $304.72 per month.

Best Medicare Advantage Plans 2021

We researched all major Medicare insurance companies and their 2021 Medicare Advantage plan offerings, ultimately selecting the 6 best Medicare Advantage plans.

• Highest CMS star ratings in states served
• $0 deductible with every plan
• $0 monthly premium option in many plans
• Only serves 9 states

For the past 5 years, Kaiser has been ranked as the best overall Medicare Advantage plan in J.D. Power’s annual survey2. Kaiser offers numerous extra perks, such as wellness coaching, transportation to medical appointments , gym access and support groups. Kaiser wins our No. 1 spot for its top-notch customer service, extensive benefits, and user-friendly online tools.

• Nearly 2.5 million members will have no monthly premium for 20213
• National plan availability
• 3 types of Special Needs Plans offered
• Limited online resources

With 26% of all Medicare Advantage enrollees receiving their coverage through UnitedHealthcare4, it’s the largest Part C provider in the country. Because of its size, UnitedHealthcare is able to offer both rate stability and a broad range of plans for every budget and lifestyle.

• Numerous health and wellness benefits
• Mail delivery for prescription drugs with some plans
• Resources for managing chronic diseases
• Ranked #1 for customer service
• Humana Honor plan designed specifically for military veterans
• Limited pharmacy options

Also Check: What Are The Costs Of Medicare Advantage Plans

Medicare Advantage Compared To Original Medicare

Better health outcomes:

Medicare Advantage plans support your primary care doctors care plan. They help ensure you get preventative care like wellness visits, tests, checkups and vaccines. With Medicare Advantage plans, members are often healthier and need less acute and chronic care.

Save money:

Medicare Advantage limits the total amount you pay for covered services. With Original Medicare, you pay 20% of the cost for covered services, with no limit to your total cost. You can buy a supplement plan to help with those costs. And you can add a Medicare Part D plan to cover prescription drugs. But a Medicare Advantage plan may offer you everything you need, all in one plan. Its important to carefully weigh your choices so you can choose a plan that best fits your needs.

Medicare Advantage Plans In Arizona

Fact checked Contributing expert: Roseann Birch Reviewed by: Leron Moore –

Learn about your Medicare Advantage Plan options in Arizona.

Key Points

• 1In 2019, there were 58 Medicare Advantage Plans available in Arizona.
• 238% of the total Medicare population in Arizona is enrolled in Medicare Advantage Plans as of 2018.
• 3In 2018, Original Medicare spent an average of $9,201 per beneficiary in Arizona, which is 9% lower than the national average.
• 4Available Medicare Advantage Plans range from two to 56 across Arizonas 15 counties.

Arizona seniors can opt to enroll in Medicare Advantage instead of Original Medicare and potentially receive more benefits. Medicare Advantage, also called Medicare Part C, includes Medicare Part A and Part B , just like Original Medicare. However, many plans also often include prescription drug coverage, plus extras, such as rides to medical appointments, wellness programs, and dental, vision, and hearing care. Medicare Advantage Plans in Arizona are offered by government-approved private insurance companies, instead of the federal government. The benefits and the out-of-pocket costs vary by company and plan.

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Az Medicare Advantage Plans By Plan Type

The major types of Medicare Advantage plans include:

• HMOA Health Maintenance Organization will typically require beneficiaries to use health care providers and pharmacies that are inside of the plans network . Medicare HMO plans also typically require a referral from a primary care doctor in order to see a specialist.
• PPOMedicare Advantage beneficiaries in a Preferred Provider Organization can often visit providers outside of their plans network, though typically at a higher cost.Beneficiaries in a Medicare PPO plan typically pay less out of pocket if they receive medical services from providers within their plan network.PPO plans typically do not require patients to acquire a referral before visiting with a specialist.
• PFFSA Private Fee-For-Service plan will determine how much it pays to health care providers and how much you the beneficiary will pay at the point when care is received.With a PFFS plan, you can typically receive care from any doctor, hospital or health care provider that accepts Medicare and your plans terms. However, not all providers will accept your plan terms.
• SNPA Special Needs Plan is a type of Medicare Advantage plan that is limited to people with certain specific characteristics or chronic conditions.Typically, you must receive care from health care providers and hospitals within your SNP network, except for in cases when you need emergency or urgent care, or when someone who has End-Stage Renal Disease needs out-of-area kidney dialysis.

Use Star Ratings To Find Your Best Medicare Plan

If you think you have to be an insurance expert to compare Medicare Advantage and Part D plans, you might be surprised: Medicare rates plans use a Star Rating System to make it easier to compare plans.

Keep in mind if a plan is new, there may not be enough data available yet for it to have a star rating that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a bad plan. Here’s how the Medicare Star Rating System works:

Medicare Advantage plans that include prescription drug coverage are rated up to 45 quality measures. Advantage plans that don’t include drug coverage are rated up to 33 quality measures. Standalone Part D plans are rated on up to 14 measures. Those measures fall into a few broad categories:

Medicare Advantage plans:

• Preventive care

• Managing chronic conditions

• Responsiveness and care

• Problems and complaints

• Customer service

• Drug prices and patient safety

• Overall experience of members

• Centene Corporation

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How Do I Enroll In Medicare

Enrolling in Medicare can be done by phone, online at Medicare.gov, or in person at your local Social Security office. Some people are registered automatically. This includes those who get Railroad Board benefits or Social Security disability benefits for 24 consecutive months. To enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, you first need to complete registration for Medicare Part A and Part B. If you need assistance with this, you can call the Social Security office at 1 772-1213 TTY users can call 1 325-0778.

Arizona Medigap Plans: What’s The Difference

Most Medicare experts agree that Original MedicareOriginal Medicare is private fee-for-service health insurance for people on Medicare. It has two parts. Part A is hospital coverage. Part B is medical coverage…., combined with Medicare supplemental insurance, provides the best Medicare insurance coverage Arizona seniors can get. But, which supplement is the right one for you?

This is a complicated question. After all, we’re all different and have different needs. For most of us, it boils down to what we can afford and our health. Although there are 10 standardized plans, most seniors choose one of the three best Medigap plans available in Arizona : F, G, and N. Keep reading and we’ll explain why.

Related:Are Medicare Supplement Plans Worth It?

Recommended Reading: Do You Have To Resign Up For Medicare Every Year

Do You Have Private Coverage That Covers What Parts B And D Cover

If you get employer-sponsored coverage that covers what Medicare Parts B and D cover, you may want to opt out of Parts B and D, so that you dont have to pay their premiums.

However, you might have to pay monthly penalties if you opt out and want Parts B and D later:

Note: If your income is below certain levels, you may qualify for a Medicare Savings Program, which would pay your Part B premium, and the Low Income Subsidy , which would pay your Part D premium. Look into these before you opt out of any parts of Medicare.

The bottom line: Dont opt out of any Medicare coverage without carefully researching your options. If you decline Part B, you cannot sign up for Medicare Advantage either. If you have any questions, contact the Arizona State Health Insurance Assistance Program .

Best For Size Of Network: Unitedhealthcare

Average Medicare star rating: 4.2 out of 5.

Service area: Available in 50 states and Washington, D.C.

Standout feature: UnitedHealthcare offers the largest Medicare Advantage network of all companies, with more than 1 million network care providers.

UnitedHealthcare is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans and offers plans in nearly three-quarters of U.S. counties. UnitedHealthcare also partners with AARP, insuring the Medicare products that carry the AARP name. Many of UHCs members are in highly rated plans, although member satisfaction ratings are lower than those of several other providers.

Pros:

• Three-quarters of UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage members who are in contracts with Medicare star ratings are in contracts rated 4 stars or higher.

• UnitedHealthcare offers $0-copay telehealth visits, as well as annual home health visits.

• UHC offers members the chance to work with expert advocates if they have care questions, as well as care coordinators for complex health issues.

Cons:

• Despite being a big player in the industry, UnitedHealthcares scores in J.D. Power’s recent 2021 Medicare Advantage Study, which measured member satisfaction, were lower than the industry average. UHC tied for sixth out of nine providers measured.

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The Best Medicare Plan For Your Needs And Budget

The lesson? Don’t let name recognition, or lack thereof, influence you too much when deciding on the best Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part D plan.

Choosing a Medicare Advantage plan, Medicare Part D plan or Medigap plan can be complicated to newly eligible beneficiaries. There are literally hundreds of options, and many of them could fit your needs and your budget.

When you’re ready to explore the plans available in your area, contact a licensed Medicare professional and compare the benefits of each plan to find the right match for you.

Andrea Bonner is a healthcare writer with more than 10 years of experience covering senior health. She is from the Raleigh-Durham area in North Carolina.