6 Tips for Making the Most of Your Medicare Plan
Article by UNITED HEALTH CARE
(BPT) - If you consider yourself a savvy consumer who likes to make sure you're getting the most value for your money, have you stopped to consider whether you're applying those same prudent practices to your Medicare benefits? Maximizing those benefits can help with more than just saving money. It could help improve your health as well. Here are six tips to help ensure you get the most out of your Medicare coverage this year.
1) Learn the difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. More than 63 million Americans made Medicare coverage decisions last fall. Some opted for Original Medicare, but one in three chose Medicare Advantage, which combines Medicare Parts A and B. Many Medicare Advantage plans also offer prescription drug coverage and valuable extras, like dental, hearing and vision care. Understanding those additional benefits and features can help you make the most of your plan.
2) Review what your policy covers - and use those benefits. You can usually find coverage and benefits information on your insurer's website or in plan documents
sent through the mail. Extra benefits and features included in many Medicare Advantage plans cover dental exams and cleanings, hearing and vision exams, and fitness benefits.
For example, UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans provide access to Renew Active, which features a gym membership, one-on-one fitness consultation, group fitness classes, online brain games and more. Nearly 300,000 members also have access to an activity tracker to help them achieve health and wellness goals. Eligible members also receive credits each quarter to buy approved over-the-counter (OTC) health products like vitamins and supplements, pain relievers, first aid items and more. Check your plan documents for information.
3) Stay in-network as much as possible. Most Medicare Advantage plans work with a network of doctors and hospitals to coordinate their members' care. Plans negotiate lower rates with the doctors and hospitals in their network, which means members pay a lower cost when they access care. UnitedHealthcare plans make it easier for members to get care as