Can I keep my current doctors and healthcare providers with Medicare?

When it comes to Medicare, whether you can keep your current doctors and healthcare providers depends on several factors, including the type of Medicare coverage you have and whether your providers accept Medicare assignments. While Original Medicare provides broad flexibility in choosing your healthcare providers, it's important to keep in mind that there may still be out-of-pocket costs in the form of deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.

Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans can help reduce some of these costs and may provide additional benefits, but they may limit your provider choices to some extent. Always verify the details of your specific plan and network before making decisions about your healthcare providers under Medicare. Here's what you need to know:

1. Original Medicare (Parts A and B):

• With Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), you have the flexibility to see any healthcare provider who accepts Medicare. Most healthcare providers in the United States accept Medicare assignment, meaning they agree to the Medicare-approved amount as payment for covered services.
• You can typically continue seeing your current doctors, specialists, and healthcare providers as long as they accept Medicare.

2. Medicare Advantage (Part C):

• Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) are offered by private insurance companies and often have networks of preferred providers. If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, you may need to choose healthcare providers from within the plan's network to maximize your coverage and minimize costs.
• Some Medicare Advantage plans offer out-of-network benefits, but these usually come with higher costs for you.
• Before enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan, it's important to review the plan's network of providers to ensure your current doctors are in-network. You can contact your providers directly or use the plan's online directory to check.

3. Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance):

• Medigap plans (Medicare Supplement Plans) can be added to Original Medicare to help cover out-of-pocket costs. These plans do not restrict your choice of healthcare providers, so you can generally continue seeing your current doctors and specialists as long as they accept Medicare.

4. Prescription Drug Plans (Part D):

• Medicare Part D prescription drug plans allow you to choose from a list of covered medications and use these plans at pharmacies that are in-network.
• To ensure that your preferred pharmacy participates in your Part D plan, you should review the plan's pharmacy network.

It's crucial to communicate with your current healthcare providers and ask if they accept Medicare assignments or if they are in-network for any Medicare Advantage plan you are considering. Additionally, make sure to review the provider directories and network information provided by your Medicare Advantage or Part D plan before enrolling.

MedHelpCenter.us recommends that you call the Senior Health Insurance Agency at 813-592-8568 for further explanation.