MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS (MEDICARE PART C) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS (MEDICARE PART C) QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
Medicare Advantage (Part C) = ? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Parts A + B + and/or D



What are characteristics of Medicare Advantage Plans? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅- offered by private
companies (contracts with Medicare to provide all your Part A and Part B benefits; insurance companies
manage the person's Medicare; provider bills the insurance company)

- with the exception of ESRD, companies CANNOT do underwriting

- premiums do NOT increase with age

- choices vary with geographical area, where you live

- plan can join or leave Medicare each year

- providers can leave the plan

- benefits may change each year (benefits must not be less than Medicare)

- premiums may change each year

- CMS uses star rating system



When are Part C enrollment periods? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅- 7 mo period when turning 65

- if Part B was enrolled late (Jan 1 - Mar 31 with 10% penalty), one can join Part C between Apr 1 - Jun
30, effective Jul 1



What can one do between Oct 15 to Dec 7 in regards to Part C & Part D? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅can
enroll or make changes to your Medicare Advantage or Medicare prescription drug coverage without
underwriting



When is the Medicare advantage disenrollment period? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅Jan 1 - Feb 14



What is the Part C disenrollment period for? - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅- can leave your Part C plan and
switch to Original Medicare

- if you switch to Original Medicare during this period, you'll have until February 14 to also join a
Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to add drug coverage