After being on a group health plan your whole life, it is understandable to be concerned about making the move into Medicare. One thing that many new enrollees worry about right off the bat is whether or not they can keep their doctor. Many of you have had a relationship with your doctor for decades and don’t want to have to start over. We understand. That is why one of the most common questions we are asked is…
Can I see whatever doctor I want on Medicare?
This is not a simple question to answer because doctors vary in the types of Medicare plans that they will take. So we are going to look at the types of Medicare plans and the relationship doctors have to each type of plan.
Medicare Supplemental Plans
Medicare supplements (also called Medigap plans) are the easiest types of plans to work with when it comes to choosing doctors. As long as a doctor or hospital accepts Medicare, they will accept a Medicare supplement. This is because Medicare pays the doctor first. Then the Medicare supplement fills in the “gaps” according to what is covered on that particular plan. You don’t have to worry about using a network provider on a Medigap plan.
Medicare Advantage HMO Plans
Medicare Advantage HMO plans are going to give you a smaller pool of doctors to choose from, usually in exchange for better benefits. You will only be able to visit doctors or hospitals that accept that particular plan. Which means you will choosing from a Network of providers. Usually, there will be no coverage if you visit a doctor or hospital outside the network and you may be responsible for the bill if you visit an out-of-network doctor. These plans are best from a major carrier that has a large network of physicians to choose from. Hopefully your favorite doctors are on the list!
Medicare Advantage PPO Plans
Medicare Advantage PPO plans give you a little more flexibility than HMO plans. There will still be a network of doctors to choose from, however, with a PPO plan, there will be coverage for out-of-network services. These out-of-network services are usually at a higher cost to you than in-network services. These plans are great if you still want the benefits of a Medicare Advantage plan but don’t want to be limited to just the doctors that are in the network.
In Summary The process of choosing a Medicare plan for the first time is often overwhelming. Especially when you have been seeing a doctor you love for a long time and would like to stick with them! It can become a challenge to determine which Medicare plan your favorite doctor accepts. The process of moving to Medicare doesn’t need to be confusing! We are always here to help if you need assistance. We have a plan selection tool that will let us know what plans your doctor will accept. Call today for your in-person or virtual appointment.