How To Find the Best Medicare Advantage Plan in Illinois
When you enroll in Medicare, you have options. You can stay on Original Medicare or switch to Medicare Advantage. If you stay on Original Medicare, you can enroll in supplemental coverage. If you switch to Medicare Advantage, you have an average of 43 plans to choose from, depending on where you live in the US. In Illinois, there are a total of 139 Medicare Advantage plans, but depending on your county, you may be able to choose from between 8-58 plans.
In this guide, we’ll explore the details of Medicare Advantage in Illinois. Learn more about the pros and cons of Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare in this article.
Key takeaways:
There are 139 Medicare Advantage plans in Illinois, but depending on your county, you’ll be able to choose from 8-58 plans.
It’s important to understand the pros and cons before choosing the best Illinois Medicare Advantage plan for your needs.
There are three important steps to take to choose the right plan, and a Medicare agent can help make the process feel simple.
Quick facts about Medicare Advantage plans in Illinois
42% of people in Illinois choose to enroll in Medicare Advantage.
There are a total of 139 Medicare Advantage plans in Utah, but plan availability varies by county.
With 8 plans, Masaac County, Illinois, has the fewest Medicare Advantage plans available.
With 58 plans, Kane County, Illinois, has the most Medicare Advantage plans available.
As you can tell from the difference in the number of plans in Masaac County and Kane County, there’s a lot of variability in the number of plans in a given county. It’s also important to note that the plans available will vary, and it’s important to compare your options to find the plan that best fits your needs. We’ll share how to find the best Illinois Medicare Advantage plan for you later on in this article. First, it’s helpful to understand how Medicare Advantage plans work.
Overview of Medicare Advantage plans
Medicare Advantage plans have risen in popularity over the years. Now, over 50% of people on Medicare are enrolled in Medicare Advantage. While these plans are popular, like any health insurance plan, they have their drawbacks. Learn about their pros and cons below.
Positive elements of Medicare Advantage plans
The biggest advantage of Medicare Advantage is that the plans come with extra benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t have. These benefits may include:
Dental, vision, and hearing coverage
Fitness memberships
Transportation to doctor appointments
Medicare Advantage plans also limit your annual out-of-pocket costs. It’s important to note that, on its own, Original Medicare has no out-of-pocket limit. Many people who choose Original Medicare enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan to limit their costs.
Negative elements of Medicare Advantage plans
You may have heard one or two Medicare Advantage nightmares from a friend or family member. A lot of the common issues with Medicare Advantage plans can be avoided by understanding how these plans work and carefully choosing the right plan for you. Read on to learn about what you should know before choosing your plan.
First, these plans use local provider networks. Provider networks are also commonly used by employer coverage, but they do limit your access to care. Conversely, with Original Medicare, you can see any doctor who accepts Medicare (which is the vast majority of doctors nationwide).
One of the biggest drawbacks of Medicare Advantage plans is that they often require prior authorization. Once again, this is a common practice among employer plans as well—but it can cause delays in receiving care. In some cases, it may even result in someone not receiving the care they need.
Finally, because every Medicare Advantage plan is different, there’s a lot of confusion among enrollees. Many people are surprised to learn that their plan doesn’t include a certain benefit. For this reason, it’s important to compare every plan and review the details before you enroll.
How to pick the best Medicare Advantage plan for your needs
Now that you understand the pros and cons, you can compare plans to find the Illinois Medicare Advantage plan that’s best for you. Follow these three steps to enroll in the right plan with confidence.
1. Make sure your preferred doctors are in network
As we mentioned, Medicare Advantage plans use local plan networks. If you have doctors you prefer to see, make sure they’re in your chosen plan’s network to ensure you’re covered when you see them.
2. Make sure your prescriptions are covered
While not all Medicare Advantage plans include prescription coverage, most do. If your plan does include Medicare Part D (prescription coverage), it’s incredibly important to ensure your prescriptions are covered to avoid overpaying. Furthermore, you should check the price you’ll pay for your prescriptions because costs vary from plan to plan.
The process of comparing prescription coverage and costs between plans can be confusing, but we can help with this! Chapter Medicare Advisors can take all the information about your preferred doctors and prescriptions and use that to narrow down plans to those that will suit your needs. They can also provide you with an estimated annual cost for your healthcare needs.
3. Maximize the value you get from extra benefits
One of the main reasons people choose to enroll in Medicare Advantage plans is because they come with extra benefits. Consider all the benefits that Medicare Advantage plans provide and think about which are important to you. Once you’ve narrowed down your plan options to those that provide coverage for your preferred doctors and prescriptions, you can then choose a plan that provides the best mix of extra benefits for you.
Picking the best Illinois Medicare plan can feel complicated—that’s why we’re here to help! We are well versed in helping people understand their Medicare options, compare available plans, and choose the best Medicare coverage with confidence. We’re also here for you after enrollment to support you with any issues that arise. Ready to get started? Give us a call at 855-900-2427 or book a time to talk today.