Medicare programs are self selected. Medicare is basically a health insurance program. As with insurance for the working public, the Medicare beneficiary has to select the insurance program that works best for them. When making your Medicare selection, be aware that the choice you make will be your health insurance program for the next year. Be cautious of the least expensive health care insurance choice.
Medicare Advantage programs are health maintenance programs. They are called 'HMOs' in the world of insurance. What this means that there is a panel of doctors that are approved by the insurance company. The physicians and healthcare providers are paid by the insurance company to care for the HMO Advantage participants. The Medicare purchaser, must use these providers for their healthcare care. They may not select or maintain existing physician, hospitals or providers that they have traditionally.
As with any insurance plan, always do your research before making any decisions. Please contact me if you have questions about how Medicare works.