2024 Medicare Advantage Plans in California

2024 Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO plans in California Counties.  Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, Aetna and UnitedHealthcare

2024 Medicare Advantage Plans

Open-Enrollment starts October 15 and ends December 7. All changes and new enrollments take effect on January 1.  Call me on October 1, that is when I will have access to all Medicare Advantage companies and plans through out California. Or check back here, I should have the information online.

PRODUCT OFFERINGS:

  • Medicare Advantage Plans (PPO & HMO)
  • Medicare Supplement Plans
  • Medicare Part D Rx Prescription Plans

In California you will find mostly HMO Medicare Advantage plans, although Anthem and Aetna offer Medicare PPO plans in several California Counties.   Anthem for example has Medicare PPO plans in 10 counties.

If you need more flexibility and want more freedom of choice with doctors and hospitals, you should look into a Medicare Supplement which allows you to see any doctor or hospital in the U.S. who accept Medicare, that’s approximately 93% of all doctors.  The most popular Medicare Supplement plans are; Plan F, Plan G and Plan N.

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP) takes place from January 1 – March 31 each year.  During this period, individuals who are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan (with or without drug coverage), including newly MA-eligible individuals, can make a one-time election to; switch to another MA plan or drop their MA plan and return to Original Medicare (with or without drug coverage).  Individuals enrolled in Original Medicare cannot use the OEP to join a MA plan, add a Rx plan (PDP), or change their Rx plan.

How many plan changes can be made during the OEP?  Only one.  The plan change start date is the first of the month following receipt of the application.

MEDICARE HMO PLANS typically offer $0 premium plans, have very comprehensive coverage and many times includes basic dental or vision coverage.  The downside to HMO plans are they are very restrictive when you are wishing to see different doctors.  When you sign up for the HMO, you need to choose one doctor from their list, and that doctor organizes your care and will refer you to a specialist within the same medical group. But the referral must first be approved.

MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT PLANS provide the most comprehensive coverage, along with the best access to different doctors and hospitals. With a Medicare Supplement you can go to any doctor, hospital or medical facility in the United States who accepts Medicare, there are no networks, simply ask if they accept Medicare, and if so, you can see them.  It’s that simple.

The three most popular Medicare Supplement plans; Plan F provide 100% coverage, no copays or deductibles.  Plan G offers 100% coverage except for a small $198 per year deductible and with Plan N, you will have the same $198 annual deductible and office visit copays are $20.

Medicare HMO and PPO plans typically include the Medicare Part D Rx coverage.  Medicare Supplement plans do NOT include the Part D coverage, so you will need to enroll in a stand-along-plan to help pay for your medications.  Feel free to call me, I can help you with finding a Part D Rx plan to fit your prescription needs.

ENROLLING is quick and easy.  I can take most of the information over the phone. In some cases I may need a signature or two.  You can take a picture of the signature page with your phone and text is back to me or of course fax and email also work.

John Conner

Medicare Plan Options ... Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D Rx