About 38% of Medicare enrollees in Colorado choose a Medicare Advantage plan. That’s about 385,000 people with a Medicare Advantage plan in Colorado.
Private insurance companies approved by Medicare offer Medicare Advantage plans. As opposed to the government-run Original Medicare program. Medicare Advantage plans may come with extra benefits like hearing, dental, and vision services. It can also include services like prescription drug coverage, wellness programs, and transportation. These services mentioned above are not covered by Original Medicare (Part A and Part B).
The coverage of a Medicare Advantage plan in Colorado
Medicare Advantage plans are popular in Colorado. About 38% of Medicare beneficiaries in Colorado have Medicare Advantage plans.
You can get your Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) benefits from a Medicare Advantage plan. In Colorado, a Medicare Advantage plan must provide the same level of benefits as Original Medicare (this applies to other states as well). One benefit of a Medicare Advantage plan is that it generally includes extra benefits beyond Original Medicare. These benefits include services like routine hearing, dental and vision care. Most plans also include prescription drug benefits. The following are other services that Medicare Advantage plans can include, but not limited to:
- Transportation to health-care services like a pharmacy or a doctor’s office
- Over-the-counter medications
- Wellness programs
- Adult day-care services
- Emergency care benefits outside the country
Medicare Advantage plans will not cover hospice care as Part A still covers it even if you have a Medicare Advantage plan
The different types of Medicare Advantage plans in Colorado
Where you live in Colorado (zip code, county) determines the Medicare Advantage plans available to you. The following are the types of Medicare Advantage plans that may be available to you:
- HMOs (Health Maintenance Organizations)
- PPOs (Preferred Provider Organizations)
- PFFS (Private Fee-for-Service)
- SNP (Special Needs Plans)
These are not all the plan types available to you but are the four most popular.
HMOs and PPOs are the two most popular Medicare Advantage plans in Colorado. They both cover an inside network or providers. Unlike HMOs, PPOs cover out-of-network providers as well but the cost sharing is generally higher.
Research each Medicare Advantage plan in Colorado to understand the expenses. Your out-of-pocket expenses can be premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance.
Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans in Colorado
Most Medicare Advantage plans in Colorado cover prescription drugs. If you want to sign up for a Medicare Advantage prescription drug plan, then you can’t sign up to a stand-alone Medicare Part D Prescription drug plan. If you sign up to both, you will be automatically dropped from your Medicare Advantage plan.
Researching and Comparing Medicare Advantage plans in Colorado
If you want to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, then it’s important to research your options. Compare your options thoroughly to choose the best plan that fits your health needs. Choose a plan that fits the prescription drugs you need (if any), the health services you need, and is in budget.
Be aware that some Medicare Advantage plans in Colorado have free premiums. However, you still have to pay your Medicare Part B premium as long as you are a Medicare Advantage enrollee. This rule applies to whatever plan you signed up for.
If you want to compare Medicare Advantage plans in Colorado, then enter your zip code on this page. You can also narrow your search down by the prescription drugs that you need (if any).