medicare advantage plans and other medicare plans module 11
TRANSCRIPT
Medicare Advantage Plans and Other Medicare Plans
Module 11
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Medicare Plan Choices
Original Medicare PlanMedicare Advantage PlansOther Medicare plansMedicare drug plans
Medicare Prescription Drug PlansMedicare Advantage Plans and other Medicare
plans with prescription drug coverage
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Medicare Advantage Plans
What are Medicare Advantage PlansWho can join and whenHow Medicare Advantage Plans work Types of Medicare Advantage PlansRights and protections
Including appeals and marketing guidelines
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What Are Medicare Advantage (MA) Plans?
Health plan options approved by Medicare Run by private companies Part of the Medicare program
Sometimes called “Part C”
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Who Can Join?
Eligibility requirementsLive in plan’s service areaEntitled to Medicare Part AEnrolled in Medicare Part BNot have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)
at time of enrollment• Some exceptions
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When Can People Join?
A person can join a Medicare Advantage Plan or other Medicare planWhen first eligible for MedicareDuring specific enrollment periods
• Annual Election Period
• Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period
• Special Enrollment Periods
• Limited Open Enrollment Period
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When Can People Switch?
Annual Election Period (AEP)MA Open Enrollment Period (MA-OEP)Special Enrollment Period (SEP)
Move out of the plan’s service area and can’t stay in the plan
Plan leaves Medicare programOther special situations
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MA Trial Right SEP
People who join an MA plan for the first timeWhen first eligible for Medicare at age 65 or Leave Original Medicare Plan and drop a
Medigap policyCan disenroll from MA plan during first 12 months
Join Original Medicare PlanHave guaranteed issue for Medigap policy
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Annual Election Period
November 15 – December 31Can choose new plan
• Medicare Advantage Plan
• Medicare prescription drug plan
• Original Medicare PlanNew plan starts January 1
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MA Open Enrollment Period
January 1 – March 31, 2007Same period each yearChange effective first day of following monthCannot be used to start or stop Medicare
drug coverage
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MA Open Enrollment Period LimitsIf coverage is Can use OEP to get Cannot use OEP to get
Medicare Advantage Plan with prescription drug coverage (MA-PD)
A different MA-PD or
Original Medicare Plan and PDP or
MA-PFFS and a PDP
MA-only or
Original Medicare Plan only
(cannot drop drug coverage)
Medicare Advantage Plan with no prescription drug coverage (MA-only)
MA-only or
Original Medicare Plan only
MA-PD or
Original Medicare Plan and PDP (cannot add drug coverage)
Original Medicare Plan and a PDP
MA-PD or
MA-PFFS and the same PDP
MA-only or
A different PDP to use with Original Medicare Plan
(cannot drop drug coverage)
Original Medicare Plan only
MA-only MA-PD or
Original Medicare Plan and PDP (cannot add drug coverage)
10
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Limited Open Enrollment Period
Only people in Original Medicare Plan Can join an MA-only plan
• Plan without Medicare prescription drug coverage
• During 2007 and 2008
Does NOT allow enrollment inMedicare Medical Savings Account (MSA) PlansMA plans that offer Medicare prescription drug
coverage (MA-PDs)Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs)
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How Do MA Plans Work?
Generally get all Medicare-covered services through the plan
Can include prescription drug coverage May have to see certain doctors or go to certain
hospitals to get careEmergency care covered anywhere in the U.S.
Benefits and cost-sharing may be different from Original Medicare Plan
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Out-of-Pocket Costs
Generally must still pay Part B premiumSome plans may pay all or part
May pay additional monthly premiumWill have to pay other out-of-pocket costs
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People In Medicare Advantage
Still in Medicare programStill have Medicare rights and protectionsStill get all regular Medicare-covered servicesMay get extra benefits
Such as vision, hearing, dental care
May be able to get prescription drug coverage
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Medicare Advantage Plans
Medicare Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)
Medicare Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)
Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS)Medicare Special Needs Plan (SNP)Medicare Medical Savings Account (MSA)
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Other Medicare Plans
Medicare Cost PlansDemonstrations/Pilot ProgramsPrograms of All-inclusive Care for the
Elderly (PACE)
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Medicare HMO Plans
Copayment amounts set by planGenerally must get care and services from
plan’s networkUse doctors and hospitals that belong to the plan May have to pay in full for care outside plan’s
network• Covered if emergency or urgently needed care
• Point-of-Service option allows visits to “out-of-network” providers
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Medicare HMO Plans (cont’d)
May need to choose primary care doctorUsually need a referral to see a specialistDoctors can join or leave
May include prescription drug coverage
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Medicare PPO Plans
Can see any doctor or provider that accepts MedicareDon’t need referral to see specialistDon’t need referral to see out-of-network provider Copayment amounts set by plan
• Will usually pay more for out-of-network care
May get Medicare prescription drug coverage
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Medicare PPO Plans (cont’d)
Regional PPOs New in 2006Available in most areas of the country Have annual limit on out-of-pocket costs
• Varies by planMay have higher deductible and/or premium
than other PPOs
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Medicare PFFS Plans
Can see any Medicare-approved doctor or hospital that accepts the planCan get services outside service areaDon’t need referral to see a specialistPlan sets copayment amounts
If offered, can get Medicare prescription drug coverageIf not offered, can join a Medicare
Prescription Drug Plan
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Special Needs Plans (SNPs)
Designed to provideFocused care managementSpecial expertise of plan’s providersBenefits tailored to enrollee conditions
Must include prescription drug coverage
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Special Needs Plans (cont’d)
Three types of SNPsMay limit all or most of membership to people
• With certain chronic or disabling conditions• Eligible for Medicare and Medicaid• In certain institutions
Available in some areasVisit www.medicare.gov
• Select “Search Tools” at top of the pageCall 1-800-Medicare
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MSA Plans
Offered beginning in 2007Similar to Health Savings Account plansHave two parts
Medicare Advantage Plan with high deductible• Pays covered costs after annual deductible is met
Medical Savings Account • Medicare deposits money the person may use
– To pay health care costs
MSA demonstration in some areas
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Cost Plans
Available in limited areas Similar to Medicare HMO Plans
Except out-of-network services covered under Original Medicare Plan
Can join any time plan accepts new members Can leave at any time Prescription drug coverage may be offered
Can choose to join a stand-alone Medicare Prescription Drug Plan
Rules may differ for some plans
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Demonstrations/Pilot Programs
Special projectsTest improvements in Medicare coverage,
payment, and quality of careEligibility usually limited
Specific group of peopleSpecific area of country
ExamplesMedicare Advantage Plan for ESRD patientsNew Medicare preventive services
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Medicare PACE Plans
Programs of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly Combine medical, social, and long-term care
services for frail elderly peopleInclude prescription drug coverageMight be better choice than nursing home
Only in states that offer it under Medicaid Qualifications vary from state to state
Contact state Medical Assistance office for information
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Comparing Plans
Are prescription drugs covered?Do I need to choose a primary care doctor?Can I get my health care from any doctor or
hospital?Do I have to see a primary care doctor to get
a referral to see a specialist?What else do I need to know about this type
of plan?
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Rights in All Medicare Plans
People with Medicare have certain guaranteed rightsTo get the health care services they needTo receive easy-to-understand informationTo have their personal medical information
kept private
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Rights in MA Plans
Additional rights and protectionsAccess to health care providersKnow how doctors are paidFair, efficient, and timely appeals processFast appeals in certain health care settings
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Appeals in Medicare Advantage
Plan must say in writing how to appeal ifWill not pay for a serviceDoes not allow a serviceStops or reduces a course of treatment
Can ask for fast (expedited) decisionPlan must decide within 72 hours
See plan's membership materialsInclude instructions on how to file an appeal
or grievance
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Required Notices
After every Adverse determinationAdverse appeal
IncludeDetailed explanation of why services deniedInformation on next appeal levelSpecific instructions
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Appeal Levels
Plan ReconsiderationIndependent Review Entity (IRE) Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)Medicare Appeals Council (MAC)Judicial Review
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Fast-Track Appeals
When services are ending too soonSkilled nursing facilityHome health agencyComprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility
Will get Notice of Medicare Non-coverageAt least 2 days before services endIf appealed, will get Detailed Explanation of
Non-coverage Decision from Quality Improvement Organization
(QIO) within 2 days
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Inpatient Hospital Appeals
When services are ending too soonProvider/plan must give Notice of Discharge
and Medicare Appeal RightsAt least the day before services end if
• The enrollee disagrees with the discharge decision, or
• The provider/plan is lowering the level of the enrollee’s care within the same facility
Decision from QIO usually within 2 days
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Disclosure of Protected Health Information (PHI)
Plan may disclose relevant PHITo those identified by the member as
involved in his/her care or payment, such as • Family member or other relative• Close personal friend• CMS staff or Congressional office staff
When member agrees/does not object• If member not present or incapacitated, if
disclosure is in member’s best interests
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When Plan May Disclose PHI
Examples Daughter resolving monthly premium costs of
hospitalized motherHuman resources representative
• If person is on the line or gives permission by phoneCongressional office
• That has faxed person’s request for assistanceCMS
• If information satisfies plan that the person requested CMS assistance
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Plan Marketing Guidelines
May send informationMay conduct outbound telemarketing
Health related products, as HIPAA permits
Medicare Advantage Plans with prescription drug coverage mayUse
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Plan Marketing Guidelines
Medicare Advantage Plans mustUse marketing materials that have been
• Reviewed by CMS–According to guidelines
Comply with the “Do not call registry”Provide information in a professional mannerUse state-licensed, certified, or registered
individuals to market plans• If state requires it
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Plan Marketing Guidelines
Medicare Advantage Plans may notSolicit Medicare beneficiaries door-to-door
• Unless invitedSend unsolicited emailEnroll people by phone
• Unless the person calls themOffer cash payment as an inducement to enrollMisrepresent or use high pressure sales tactics
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Medicare Advantage Plans
What are Medicare Advantage PlansWho can join and whenHow Medicare Advantage Plans work Types of Medicare Advantage PlansRights and protections
Including appeals and marketing guidelines
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Resources Medicare publications
Medicare & You handbookUnderstanding the Choices You Have in How You Get
Your Medicare Health Care Coverage (Pub. 11225) State Health Insurance Assistance Programs www.medicare.gov
Medicare Options Compare toolMedicare publications
www.cms.hhs.gov 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)
TTY/TDD 1-877-486-2048
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