Medicare Advantage plans are private policies that you can buy to replace Original Medicare coverage. The federal government requires them to cover everything Original Medicare covers in all 50 states. However, three states offer different types of Medigap plans: Wisconsin, Massachusetts, and Minnesota. These states provide more variety in coverage than traditional card plans.
More than 40 percent of Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans in nineteen states (FL, MN, HI, OR, WI, MI, AL, CT, PA, CA, CO, NY, OH, AZ, GA, TN, RI, TX, LA) and Puerto Rico. For individuals under 65 and eligible for Medicare due to a disability, the availability of Medigap depends entirely on state regulations. The star rating system for Medicare Advantage and Part D plans is used to measure the quality of plans available in each state. In Florida, 71 percent of all beneficiaries living in Miami-Dade County are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans compared to only 14 percent of beneficiaries living in Monroe County (Key West).
In Maryland there are many resources to help you learn about your Medicare coverage. Some urban areas such as the city of Baltimore (20%) and Cook County, IL (Chicago, 28%) have low enrollment in Medicare Advantage compared to the national average (39%). The different types of Medicare Advantage plans that are available in your area may include one or more of these types of plans: HMOs (Health Maintenance Organizations), PPOs (Preferred Provider Organizations), POSs (Point-of-Service Plans), SNPs (Special Needs Plans), and MSA Plans (Medical Savings Accounts). There is also a Medicare Advantage open enrollment period (January 1 - March 3) that allows people who already have Medicare Advantage to switch to a different Advantage plan or Original Medicare.
Navigate to your state by scrolling down to find local resources to help with Medicare, health insurance and healthy aging. Compare Medicare plans online or get help from state resources below. If you want to switch to Original Medicare and purchase a Medigap policy, contact your Medicare Advantage plan to see if you can cancel your enrollment.
