How to Find the Best Medicare Advantage Plan in New Jersey
In New Jersey, 43% of Medicare enrollees are signed up for Medicare Advantage plans. While Medicare Advantage plans can be enticing due to their additional benefits, it’s important to know all of their ins and outs to avoid surprises.
The best Medicare Advantage plans take care of your specific healthcare needs. We’ll help you understand how to choose the right one.
Key takeaways:
Making sure your healthcare needs are covered is the most important part of finding your Medicare Advantage plan. Think about your priorities before enrolling.
Insurance providers that carry top-rated plans in New Jersey include UnitedHealthcare and Humana.
Facts about Medicare Advantage in New Jersey
43% of Medicare beneficiaries have Medicare Advantage plans in New Jersey.
There are 82 Medicare Advantage plans in New Jersey. Plan availability depends on where you live in the state.
Health insurance providers that carry top plans in New Jersey include UnitedHealthcare and Humana.
How Medicare Advantage plans work
Some people are drawn to Medicare Advantage plans for their extra perks, but keep in mind that Medicare Advantage plans have downsides too.. Knowing how Medicare Advantage plans work can help you anticipate both the benefits and drawbacks of enrolling in any plan.
Benefits of Medicare Advantage plans
Private companies offer Medicare Advantage plans. As a result, the pricing and benefits of each policy are different. These plans can each offer their own set of additional benefits that Original Medicare cannot. Additional benefits can include:
Routine dental, vision, and hearing coverage
Prescription drug coverage
Fitness and wellness services
Emergency medical travel insurance
Credits for over-the-counter (OTC) products
Another highlight of Medicare Advantage plans is that they have maximums for out-of-pocket costs to limit how much you spend on healthcare each year.
Drawbacks of Medicare Advantage plans
You need to be careful about which Medicare Advantage plan you choose because each one is different. Medicare Advantage plans have their own monthly premium, copays, coinsurance amounts, and deductibles. While Medicare Advantage plans must cover the same services as Original Medicare, your access to care could be limited or delayed. All Medicare Advantage plans also operate with provider networks that make seeing out-of-network doctors more expensive. Medicare Advantage plans also often require prior authorization for covered services.
In some cases, the extra benefits you get with a Medicare Advantage plan may not be worth it. If you have delayed or limited access to care due to prior authorization and network restrictions, your plan may not meet your most immediate needs. Below, we’ll discuss how you should compare options to find the best New Jersey Medicare Advantage plan for you.
Top Medicare Advantage plans in New Jersey
One way to check on the quality of a Medicare Advantage plan is by using the star rating system by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS). CMS judges Medicare Advantage plans every year based on their performance. A one-star rating indicates that a plan performs poorly and a five-star rating indicates that a plan performs well.
In New Jersey, there are 10 insurance providers that carry Medicare Advantage plans. UnitedHealthcare carries some 5-star plans in New Jersey, and Humana carries some 4.5-star plans.
How to find the best Medicare Advantage plan in New Jersey
First and foremost, you should think about your priorities for your healthcare needs and budget. Once you’ve taken note of what’s important to you, you can find the plan that suits you best. Consider the following:
Your medical needs, including how frequently you visit the doctor and preventive care needs
Medications you take regularly
Providers and facilities you prefer and that are available in your area
Additional benefits that are important to you, like free fitness memberships or dental coverage
Having this info in front of you while you compare plans can help you make sure your plan covers your unique needs. Pay extra attention to providers and facilities that are in-network for the plan that you choose so that you don’t end up spending more than you need to on services.
Sign up for a Medicare plan
Enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan can be difficult—between learning about plans’ coverage and pricing and finding one that has the best coverage for you, there’s a lot to think about. If you need to talk to someone about your options, a Chapter Medicare Advisor can help you compare plans, answer questions, and enroll in the best coverage for your needs. Chat with us today at 855-900-2427 or book an appointment ahead of time.