The first quarter of every year is an open-enrollment period for Medicare Advantage plans, also known as Medicare Part C. Medicare Advantage includes Medicare Part A (hospital coverage) and Part B (doctor and outpatient coverage) and is administered by private health plans. Most Medicare Advantage plans also offer Part D drug coverage. 

There are four main types of Advantage plans: HMOs, Point-of-Service Organizations (much like HMOs), PPOs (Preferred Provider Organization) and Private Fee-for-Service plans. The Federation’s publication, Health Care Choices for Minnesotans on Medicare, explains the types of Advantage plans and provides a benefit chart for each available plan in the state. 

About 27 percent of Minnesotans have been enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. From now until March 31, 2008, anyone who has an Advantage plan may switch to a different Advantage plan or back to original Medicare Parts A and B (with or without a Medicare supplement). In addition, Minnesotans with Medicare who aren’t currently enrolled in an Advantage plan may switch to an Advantage plan. 

You must have both Medicare Parts A and B to join an Advantage plan, and you are not eligible to join one if you have End Stage Renal Disease. In addition, this is not the time to add the Medicare Part D drug plan if you do not already have it. So, you may not join a specific Advantage medical plan that includes Part D unless you already have Part D through a different organization. (They do not all include a Part D plan.)

The Federation’s Health Plan Information Center can help you decide if changing to or from an Advantage plan is a good idea for you. If it is, HPIC can help you review the available choices and determine the best fit. HPIC is open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., and can be reached at 651/783-5045, or toll-free 866/783-5045.

For more on Advantage Plans, click here.