Medicare Supplements and Medicare Advantage Plans in Utah

For seniors aged 65 and older, it can be a challenging experience to understand and find supplemental Medicare coverage. The system seems complex, and you first need to understand your Original Medicare benefits from Parts A and B.

Once you have that down, you can begin exploring supplement options, and there is

is plenty of help and guidance for those who need it.

Like most states, Utah has two options for supplemental coverage: Medicare Advantage plans Medicare Supplement plans.

Both types of insurance plans are government regulated but they work differently. Both plans are also purchased from private insurance companies. It is very important to know the difference between them to ensure that you select the plan that is the best fit for your personal needs.

Utah Medicare Supplements

Medicare supplements, commonly known as Utah Medigap plans, help to pay for copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance that Medicare doesn’t cover. Medicare supplements pay after Medicare pays its share first. The amount of coverage depends on the selected plans.

There are 10 plans for you to choose from in most states. The most popular plans are F, G, and N. Another key feature of Medigap plans is that you can visit any doctor that accepts Medicare in Utah or anywhere else in the nation.

Medigap plans do not cover prescriptions. You will purchase a separate Part D plan for that. They also do not cover routine dental or vision, long-term care, or hearing aids.

Utah Medicare Advantage Plans

Medicare Advantage plans pay your medical bills instead of Original Medicare. You will use a network of providers that are contracted with the plan. Since you agree to use that network, Medicare Advantage plans often have lower premiums than Medigap plans.

Many Advantage plans include Part D that is rolled right into your coverage. You can use the same ID card at the doctor and hospital and pharmacy. You will have to visit in-network doctors and hospitals with this plan in an HMO network. In a PPO network, you pay less if you see in-network providers, but you can seek care outside the network at an additional cost to you if you must.

Some Medicare Advantage plans include additional benefits like routing dental, vision, and hearing coverage. Free gym memberships are another common “extra” that Medicare Advantage plans use to attract your enrollment.

To be eligible for a Medicare Advantage plan, you must live in the plan service area and be enrolled in both Medicare Parts A and B.  You cannot have End Stage Renal Disease.

Some people ask us if having both Medicare Advantage and a Medicare supplement would offer the best coverage. Unfortunately, they cannot be used together, so you should enroll in one or the other. To best decide which plan is the best fit for your needs, compare these items which can be found in each plan’s outline of coverage.

• Coverage and benefits
• Monthly premiums
• Deductibles
• Prescription costs
• Maximum out-of-pocket costs

After careful consideration and weighing the pros and cons of each option, you should get a feeling for which type of plan would suit you best.

If you feel overwhelmed by the many choices and are afraid that you cannot make the decision alone, don't worry. We are here to help guide you through the complex Medicare process. Contact us with any questions or to schedule a consultation by phone.

We are happy to explain the differences between the plans and pair you with the best option for your needs.