Private insurance companies administer Medicare Advantage plans throughout California.
Private insurance companies administer Medicare Advantage plans. The plans feature combined coverage for physician, hospitalization and drug costs, and select plans can also offer additional benefits, such as vision and dental care. Medicare participants who choose a Medicare Advantage plan must first enroll in Original Medicare, Parts A and B, and continue the coverage. Medicare Advantage plan benefits and costs can vary, depending on the location and provider. Plans typically include co-payment and co-insurance requirements and a network of service providers.
Care1st Medicare Advantage Platinum Plan
The Care1st Medicare Advantage Platinum Plan is a health maintenance organization (HMO) program for Medicare participants in Los Angeles County. The plan has a network of providers, including doctors, hospitals and medical groups, that have agreed to a cost-sharing payment plan in exchange for member services. Members must also choose from a network of pharmacists to receive medications at plan prices. Benefits can include inpatient hospital care, laboratory services, surgery, blood, doctor services, inpatient mental health care, skilled nursing care, physical therapy and hospice care. Members who choose to use providers outside of the network can incur costs not covered by the plan. Co-payments apply to select services and co-payments and co-insurance can apply when purchasing prescription drugs.
Freedom Blue Plan I
Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Company administers the Freedom Blue Plan I. The plan features preferred provider organization (PPO) coverage, available for residents throughout the state. Freedom Blue has a network of hospitals, specialists and doctors from which to choose. Members can select services outside of the network, but might incur costs not covered by the plan. Freedom Blue requires members to use pharmacies within its network to receive prescription drug benefits. Members can use benefits when traveling outside the service area, within the United States. Freedom Blue benefits can cover inpatient hospital care, home health care, doctor visits, podiatry services, outpatient substance abuse programs, emergency care, ambulance services and immunizations. Plan benefits can require members to make co-payments and co-insurance payments for services and medications.
Blue Shield 65 Plus Medicare Advantage
Blue Shield of California offers the Blue Shield 65 Plus Medicare Advantage plan for residents of Orange, Riverside, Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. The HMO plan can cover doctor visits, specialist services, hospital stays, outpatient surgery, dental care, vision care, ambulance services and laboratory services. The prescription drug benefit has no yearly limits and no deductible. Blue Shield 65 Plus members must use network providers for services and Blue Shield of California does not assume costs for services delivered by providers outside of the network. Members must also fill prescriptions at network pharmacies, except when situations arise that require pharmacy services outside the service area. Plan benefits can vary according to location and co-payments can apply to services.
Tags: Medicare Advantage, Blue Shield, Freedom Blue, Advantage plan, Blue Shield Plus
