Do Medicare Advantage plans have to cover everything Medicare does?

Asked by: Alda Wuckert  |  Last update: April 26, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (31 votes)

Plans must cover all medically necessary services that Original Medicare covers. For some services, plans may use their own coverage criteria to determine medical necessity. Plans may also offer some extra benefits that Original Medicare doesn't cover.

What is the biggest disadvantage of the Medicare Advantage plan?

Medicare Advantage Plan Pros And Cons

One disadvantage is that some Medicare Advantage plans may offer fewer options when it comes to doctors and hospitals, as they may have smaller plan networks than Original Medicare.

Can Medicare Advantage plans deny coverage?

Medicare Advantage plans can deny coverage in various scenarios, such as the following: Missed Enrollment Deadlines: If you attempt to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan outside of the specified enrollment periods, you may be denied coverage.

Why are seniors losing Medicare Advantage plans?

Medicare vs Privatized Medicare Advantage

Beneficiaries are tossed aside because they live in an unprofitable market for their insurer or because they are actually using the insurance they signed up for to access services.

Does Medicare Advantage cover all medical expenses?

Medicare Advantage (or Part C) plans are private plans that offer everything original Medicare covers, plus additional benefits. Like the other parts of Medicare, Medicare Advantage covers a wide range of medical services. But most come with out-of-pocket costs.

What Does Medicare Part C Cover? | Medicare Advantage

21 related questions found

What is excluded from a Medicare Advantage plan?

In summary, some of the most notable exclusions from Medicare Advantage Plans include: Routine dental care, eye exams, eyewear. Non-emergency transportation. Routine foot care.

Does Medicare Advantage cover 100% of hospital bills?

No. Even though Medicare can cover many of your health care costs, you'll still have some out-of-pocket expenses, including premiums, deductibles, copayments and coinsurance.

Why are hospitals refusing Medicare Advantage plans?

Among the most commonly cited reasons are excessive prior authorization denial rates and slow payments from insurers. In 2023, Becker's began reporting on hospitals and health systems nationwide that dropped some or all of their Medicare Advantage contracts.

Why is Medicare Supplement better than Advantage Plan?

Summary: Medicare Advantage offers broader coverage including prescription drugs and dental care, while Medicare Supplement focuses on covering most out-of-pocket costs. Medicare Advantage plans are managed by private insurers with network restrictions, whereas Medicare Supplement allows freedom of provider choice.

Why seniors are choosing Medicare Advantage over traditional Medicare?

People with Medicare are drawn to Medicare Advantage for the extra benefits. Medicare Advantage plans offer extra benefits, like reduced cost-sharing, dental coverage, gym memberships and debit cards for over-the-counter medical supplies that are not covered by traditional Medicare.

Why are people leaving Medicare Advantage plans?

But there are trade-offs. Medicare Advantage plans often have a limited network of hospitals and physicians. And while the premiums are typically low, enrollees could end up paying more in the long run in copays and deductibles if they develop a serious illness.

Which health insurance denies the most claims?

According to the analysis, AvMed and UnitedHealthcare tied for the highest denial rate, with both companies denying about a third of in-network claims for plans sold on the Marketplace in 2023, respectively.

Why do doctors not accept Medicare Advantage plans?

The most common reason that doctors may discontinue their acceptance of Medicare Advantage is that the private insurance company makes it difficult or time-consuming for the doctor to get paid for their services.

Why do people say not to get a Medicare Advantage plan?

Disadvantages of Medicare Advantage plans can include difficulty switching out of the plans later, restrictions on care access, limited provider networks, and limitations on extra benefits.

What is the best Medicare plan that covers everything for seniors?

Original Medicare with Medigap likely offers the most comprehensive coverage, but it may also be the most costly. A person can consider their income and how much they are able to spend before choosing a Medicare plan. Original Medicare with Medigap also offers a lot of flexibility when choosing a doctor or specialist.

Do all hospitals accept Medicare Advantage plans?

While most hospitals do accept Original Medicare, there may be some that do not accept Medicare Advantage Plans. However, if you have a medical emergency while you're enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can seek care at any ER or hospital in the country.

Can you go back to original Medicare from an advantage plan?

If you joined a Medicare Advantage Plan during your Initial Enrollment Period, you can change to another Medicare Advantage Plan (with or without drug coverage) or go back to Original Medicare (with or without a drug plan) within the first 3 months you have Medicare Part A & Part B.

Why is it not a good idea to have supplemental insurance?

One of the most significant drawbacks of supplemental insurance policies is the coverage limits. For instance, with Mechanical Repair Coverage, you'll typically need to pay out of pocket until your deductible is met on your primary policy before supplemental insurance takes over to cover a costly vehicle repair.

What is the disadvantage of UnitedHealthCare for seniors?

Cons About UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage

You may only have access to certain HMO or PPO plans in your area. And while UnitedHealthCare has competitive pricing, your location may only have access to plans with higher deductibles, more copays, and fewer additional benefits.

Does Medicare Advantage pay hospital bills?

Medicare Advantage plans must cover all services covered by traditional Medicare under Part A (hospital services, some home health, hospice care, skilled nursing care) and Part B (physician services, durable medical equipment, outpatient drugs, mental health, ambulance services).

Is Mayo Clinic no longer accepting Medicare Advantage plans?

We do not accept noncontracted Medicare Advantage Plans.

What are the four things Medicare doesn't cover?

Some of the items and services Medicare doesn't cover include:
  • Eye exams (for prescription eyeglasses)
  • Long-term care.
  • Cosmetic surgery.
  • Massage therapy.
  • Routine physical exams.
  • Hearing aids and exams for fitting them.

How much money does Medicare allow you to have in the bank?

This means individuals can have any amount of assets and still qualify for a Medicare Savings Program. Assets are things that you own, such as bank accounts, cash, second homes and vehicles.

What are the top 5 medicare supplement plans?

💬 From our Nerds: What are the top five Medicare supplement plans? "Based on NerdWallet's Medigap rubric, I picked five best Medicare Supplement Insurance companies for 2025: AARP/UnitedHealthcare, Mutual of Omaha, State Farm, Anthem and Blue Cross Blue Shield.