How To Find the Best Medicare Advantage Plan in Idaho
One of the reasons Medicare can feel complicated is because there are a lot of options to choose from. First, you can choose between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. If you decide to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, there are up to 47 plans to choose from, depending on where you live in Idaho. Each plan is different—and, unfortunately, choosing the wrong Medicare Advantage plan can cost you thousands of dollars.
We don’t say this to scare you, but instead to point out that it’s important to understand how Medicare Advantage plans work and what your options are. We’ll walk you through all this information and more in this guide. If at any point you feel overwhelmed, we’re here to help! Give us a call at 855-900-2427 to get help from one of our licensed Medicare Advisors.
Key takeaways:
There are 69 different Medicare Advantage plans in Idaho. Depending on which county you live in, you could have between 0 and 47 plans to choose from.
There are several top-rated Medicare Advantage plans in Idaho, but this is just one factor to consider when making your choice.
You should understand the pros and cons of Medicare Advantage plans and consider your unique health and financial needs in order to choose the best plan for you.
Many people find Medicare confusing. Getting help from a licensed Medicare agent can make the process easier and help you feel confident in your Medicare decisions.
Quick facts about Idaho Medicare Advantage plans
Plan pricing and availability vary by county. For example, there are zero Medicare Advantage plans available in seven Idaho counties, including Butte County and Teton County. When comparing plans, you should start by looking only at plans available in your county. You can do this by using the Medicare plan comparison tool or by getting in touch with a licensed Medicare agent. While plans and their availability vary, it can be good to understand general availability to get a good idea of what you can expect in regards to Medicare Advantage plans in Idaho.
There are 69 different Medicare Advantage plans available across Idaho.
Ada County and Canyon County Idaho both have 47 plans to choose from, which is the most in any individual county.
There are several highly-rated Medicare Advantage plans in Idaho from multiple insurance companies.
Top-rated Medicare Advantage plans in Idaho
With up to 47 plans to choose from, it can be difficult to narrow down your options. One thing that can help you compare Idaho Medicare Advantage plans is the Medicare star rating system. Each year, Medicare assigns Medicare Advantage plans a rating from 1-5 stars (with one star indicating a low-performing plan and five stars indicating a high-performing plan). The rating is based on member satisfaction, plan details, and information from healthcare providers.
In 2024, Select Health offers a handful of 5-star Medicare Advantage plans in Idaho. Humana, UHC, and True Blue Rx offer some 4.5-star Medicare Advantage plans in Idaho in 2024. That said, a high star rating is just one thing you should consider when choosing the right Medicare Advantage plan for you. Next, we’ll explain the ins and outs of Medicare Advantage plans and what you should consider when choosing your plan.
Things to know about Medicare Advantage before choosing a plan
Medicare Advantage, which is also called Medicare Part C, provides a private alternative to Original Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans must cover the same services and equipment as Original Medicare, but coverage looks different—and also varies from one plan to another. Coverage differences can be summed up by Medicare Advantage’s pros and cons. Let’s start by diving into the pros of Medicare Advantage plans that have caused just over 50% of people to make the switch from Original Medicare.
The upsides of Medicare Advantage plans
There are three key upsides to Medicare Advantage:
Additional benefits
Out-of-pocket limits
Affordability
Additional benefits
Medicare Advantage plans provide additional benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t. Each plan has different benefits, which can make comparing plans complicated, but these benefits may include:
Coverage for routine dental, vision, and hearing services
Prescription drug coverage
Fitness perks, like free gym memberships
Over-the-counter spending allowances
Meal benefits
Transportation services
Out-of-pocket limits
Original Medicare only covers about 80% of costs. If you need frequent or expensive health services, this could leave you on the hook for thousands of dollars, with no limit on how much you spend. Medicare Advantage plans have out-of-pocket maximums in place to provide an upward limit on what you could pay for healthcare expenses in a year.
Affordability
While you still have to pay your Original Medicare premiums when you move to Medicare Advantage, many of the Medicare Advantage plans have zero-dollar premiums. Some Medicare Advantage plans even have premium give back benefits to decrease how much you spend on Medicare premiums each month.
The downsides of Medicare Advantage plans
Very few things in life are perfect. Naturally, Medicare Advantage plans also come with their drawbacks. Three big ones are:
Limited provider networks
Prior-authorization requirements
Confusion caused by plan differences
Limited provider networks
To keep costs down and provide additional benefits with low or zero-dollar premiums, Medicare Advantage plans negotiate rates with a network of providers. You’re then limited to this network of doctors if you want to receive full coverage. This is relatively standard with health insurance, but it can limit or delay your access to care when compared to Original Medicare, which allows you to see any doctor who accepts Medicare.
Prior-authorization requirements
Medicare Advantage plans have become notorious for commonly requiring prior authorization for covered services. This can delay your access to care. Furthermore, if authorization is denied, you could be forced to pay in full or go without the care you need.
Confusion caused by plan differences
Choosing the wrong Medicare Advantage plan—one that doesn’t provide coverage for your prescriptions and preferred doctors—could cost you thousands of dollars each year. Unfortunately, big differences from one plan to another cause a lot of confusion, and many people end up on a plan that costs them more out of pocket.
Determining the best Idaho Medicare Advantage plan for you
As mentioned above, each Medicare Advantage plan is different. To find the best Idaho Medicare Advantage plan for you, you need to consider your unique health and financial situation. If you haven’t already, you should also compare Idaho Medicare Advantage plans to coverage from Original Medicare paired with a Medicare Supplement plan.
If you’ve firmly chosen to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, you should consider the following to choose the best plan for you:
Does the plan cover your prescriptions?
Does the plan’s network include your preferred doctors?
Is the out-of-pocket maximum on the low side? (This is particularly important if you spend a lot on healthcare each year.)
Once you’ve determined if the plan meets your health and financial needs, you can take a look at those exciting, extra benefits to maximize the value you get from your health insurance. Every plan’s added benefits are different, so think about which ones matter most to you.
Sorting through all the Medicare Advantage plans in Idaho to find the right fit can feel overwhelming, and that’s why we’re here! Give us a call at 855-900-2427 or schedule a time to chat to get caring advice from a licensed Medicare Advisor. We’ll help you understand and compare all your options and enroll in a plan that best suits your needs.