Medicare Advantage is a combination of two standard Medicare offerings: Part A, also known as Hospital Insurance; and Part B, also known as Medical Insurance. Most Medicare Advantage plans also cover prescription drug costs, or Medicare Part D. Some plans even include dental, vision and hearing coverage as well.

Unlike traditional Medicare plans, Medicare Advantage is provided by private insurance companies.

Medicare Advantage provides extensive coverage for patients, but it also requires that patients abide by certain rules and guidelines outlined in the plan itself. For example, Medicare may only provide assistance if the patient visits a doctor or hospital that belongs to a Medicare-approved network. For Memphis residents, it is important to know which doctors in the Shelby county area operate in this network.

One distinct perk of Medicare Advantage is preventative health maintenance. Many Medicare Advantage plans offer health club memberships in Memphis and also provide patients with routine preventative exams, disease management programs, and transportation services to physician’s offices – services which aren’t covered under Parts A and B alone. Certain plans through Medicare Advantage also offer vision and dental coverage as well.

It is also important to remember that a patient can join Medicare Advantage even if he or she has a pre-existing condition, like diabetes, heart disease or high blood pressure.