What Does Medicare Advantage Cover?
Medicare Advantage plans are generally required to cover the same services that Original Medicare covers. Some may also cover prescription drugs, and dental or vision care. Medicare Advantage plans may give you some discounts or pay for services that Original Medicare may not cover. But there are drawbacks, too. One is the cost: you will likely pay more for these extra benefits. Another is that you may be locked into your plan’s rules. Original Medicare allows you to see just about any doctor and go to any hospital that accepts Medicare payments, which most providers accept. But Medicare Advantage plans may restrict you to the doctors and hospitals in the plan’s network. You might need referrals to see a specialist. So you have to look hard at what sort of medical coverage you need — and what you can afford — when deciding between Original Medicare and a Medicare Advantage plan.
