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If you’re shopping for a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan, you probably have several options to choose from. So how do you find the plan that’s right for you?
The first step is understanding Medicare Advantage plans and the type of coverage they provide. One of the most important things to know is that all MA plans are offered by private insurance companies contracted with Medicare. By law, these plans must provide at least the same level of coverage that Medicare Part A and Part B, often called Original Medicare, provide. But many MA plans also provide additional benefits not included in Original Medicare.
“Using a tool that helps you compare the different MA plans available is a great way to ensure the plan you choose will help you achieve your health goals.”
Individual MA plans can differ greatly based on elements like how much the plan costs, which doctors you can see and whether the plan includes special benefits like gym memberships or help paying for your over-the-counter medicines. Using a tool that helps you compare the different MA plans available is a great way to ensure the coverage you choose will help you achieve your health goals.
What are the different types of Medicare Advantage plans?
There are several types of Medicare Advantage plans to choose from:
- Medicare Advantage HMO – Choose your primary care provider and get access to a network of doctors and hospitals.
- Medicare Advantage HMO-POS – Potentially get more flexibility when choosing your providers.
- Medicare Advantage PPO – Get more flexibility to go out of network, although you may pay more when you do.
- Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans – Get access to special care for situations like chronic conditions, long-term care facilities and dual eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid.
A worksheet to help find the best Medicare Advantage plans for you
By downloading, printing and filling out our Medicare Advantage plan comparison worksheet, you can keep track of the most important elements of different MA plans as you do your research. Gathering the relevant information for the categories included in the worksheet will allow you to perform a side-by-side comparison of different plans. You can fill out the form while doing research on your own online, or you can work with an agent to help complete the worksheet. And if you already have coverage and are interested in seeing how it stacks up to other options, enter the relevant information from your current plan in the first column so you can easily compare it to other plans.
Below you’ll find a shortened example of what your completed worksheet may look like. If you’re not sure about the meaning of any words you come across while filling out the worksheet, see our Medicare glossary for helpful definitions.
See our article about the different parts of Medicare to learn more.
Sample Medicare Advantage plan comparison worksheet
Sample Medicare Advantage plan comparison worksheet
Please note that all information included in the sample worksheet below is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent actual plans.
|
Company 1 |
Company 2 |
Company 3 |
Company 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Monthly plan premium |
$0 |
$50 |
$0 |
$25 |
|
Medical deductible |
$100 in network |
$100 in network |
$150 in network
$200 out of network |
$100 in network |
|
Annual out-of-pocket maximum |
$8,300 in network |
$7,000 in network |
$8,300 in network
$12,450 out of network |
$8,300 in network
$12,450 out of network |
|
Is my PCP in network? |
Yes – Dr. Smith |
No |
No |
Yes – Dr. Smith |
|
Dental benefit? |
Yes – Allowance of $1,000 |
No |
Yes – Allowance of $500 |
Yes – Allowance of $1,000 |
|
Dental network requirement? |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Eyewear benefit? |
Yes – $185 every year for eyewear |
Yes – $100 every year for eyewear |
No |
Yes – $150 every year for eyewear |
|
Hearing aid benefit? |
Yes – $0 for basic hearing aid |
Yes – $10 for basic hearing aid |
No |
Yes – $0 for basic hearing aid |
|
Allowance for over-the-counter items? |
Yes – $50 every 3 months |
No |
No |
Yes – $50 every 3 months |
|
Notes |
SilverSneakers® fitness |
No preferred pharmacy in area |
Includes acupuncture |
Includes chiropractic services |
|
Company 1 |
|
|---|---|
|
Monthly plan premium |
$0 |
|
Medical deductible |
$100 in network |
|
Annual out-of-pocket maximum |
$8,300 in network |
|
Is my PCP in network? |
Yes – Dr. Smith |
|
Dental benefit? |
Yes – Allowance of $1,000 |
|
Dental network requirement? |
No |
|
Eyewear benefit? |
Yes – $185 every year for eyewear |
|
Hearing aid benefit? |
Yes – $0 for basic hearing aid |
|
Allowance for over-the-counter items? |
Yes – $50 every 3 months |
|
Notes |
SilverSneakers® fitness |
|
Company 2 |
|
|---|---|
|
Monthly plan premium |
$50 |
|
Medical deductible |
$100 in network |
|
Annual out-of-pocket maximum |
$7,000 in network |
|
Is my PCP in network? |
No |
|
Dental benefit? |
No |
|
Dental network requirement? |
Yes |
|
Eyewear benefit? |
Yes – $100 every year for eyewear |
|
Hearing aid benefit? |
Yes – $10 for basic hearing aid |
|
Allowance for over-the-counter items? |
No |
|
Notes |
No preferred pharmacy in area |
|
Company 3 |
|
|---|---|
|
Monthly plan premium |
$0 |
|
Medical deductible |
$150 in network
$200 out of network |
|
Annual out-of-pocket maximum |
$8,300 in network
$12,450 out of network |
|
Is my PCP in network? |
No |
|
Dental benefit? |
Yes – Allowance of $500 |
|
Dental network requirement? |
Yes |
|
Eyewear benefit? |
No |
|
Hearing aid benefit? |
No |
|
Allowance for over-the-counter items? |
No |
|
Notes |
Includes acupuncture |
|
Company 4 |
|
|---|---|
|
Monthly plan premium |
$25 |
|
Medical deductible |
$100 in network |
|
Annual out-of-pocket maximum |
$8,300 in network
$12,450 out of network |
|
Is my PCP in network? |
Yes – Dr. Smith |
|
Dental benefit? |
Yes – Allowance of $1,000 |
|
Dental network requirement? |
Yes |
|
Eyewear benefit? |
Yes – $150 every year for eyewear |
|
Hearing aid benefit? |
Yes – $0 for basic hearing aid |
|
Allowance for over-the-counter items? |
Yes – $50 every 3 months |
|
Notes |
Includes chiropractic services |
When can I enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan?
There are several Medicare Advantage enrollment periods. Your first chance to sign up for Medicare Advantage is during the initial enrollment period. This is a 7-month window that begins as soon as you turn 65. Your next chance is during the Open Enrollment Period, during which you can switch plans if you choose. The Annual Enrollment Period is your last chance to enroll each year, giving you the opportunity to switch between October 15 and December 7.