Medicare Blog

how to decide on kaiser medicare options

by Adelle Ullrich Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Kaiser Permanente offers Medicare Advantage plans in several states and Washington, D.C. You can evaluate the plans based on cost, coverage, and availability in your area. Pay careful attention to enrollment dates as you can only choose Kaiser’s Medicare Advantage plans at key times throughout the year.

Full Answer

Can I switch from Kaiser Permanente to Medicare?

If you have individual or group health coverage through Kaiser Permanente and are eligible for Medicare coverage for the first time, we can take you through your options. Visit our website for members turning 65 and over and learn how to make a smooth transition to our Medicare health plan.

How does Medicare evaluate Kaiser Permanente?

Every year, Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system. Kaiser Permanente is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Kaiser Permanente depends on contract renewal. Every year, Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system.

How do I speak to a Kaiser Permanente Medicare specialist?

Speak with a Kaiser Permanente Medicare specialist 7 days a week, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Learn more by attending a seminar with a Kaiser Permanente Medicare specialist. Connect with a Kaiser Permanente Medicare specialist in your area. For accommodations of persons with special needs at meetings call 1-877-485-3566 (toll free) or call TTY 711.

Where can I find support with Kaiser Permanente Medicare?

If you’re looking for support, Kaiser Permanente has a range of options. Speak with a Kaiser Permanente Medicare specialist 7 days a week, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Learn more by attending a seminar with a Kaiser Permanente Medicare specialist. Connect with a Kaiser Permanente Medicare specialist in your area.

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Is Kaiser a good choice for Medicare?

Kaiser Permanente is a great option if it's available in your area. It offers consistently high-quality Medicare Advantage plans with low-cost options. So long as you're comfortable in an HMO with comprehensive coverage and don't need standalone supplemental coverage, Kaiser may be the choice for you.

How do I know which Medicare plan is right for me?

To compare Medicare plans, use the Medicare Plan Finder at www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan, on the official U.S. government site for people with Medicare, which allows you to compare plans by cost, by quality and by other features that may be of importance to you.

Is Kaiser Senior Advantage the same as Medicare Advantage?

This is a Medicare Advantage plan, which means that it generally replaces your Medicare coverage. You agree to let Kaiser manage your Medicare benefits. It is an HMO (health maintenance organization) with a closed network of providers.

What is Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage?

Senior Advantage combines your Kaiser Permanente coverage with your Medicare coverage into a single plan at no additional premium. Senior Advantage gives you all the benefits of Medicare, plus more. You may also save money with Senior Advantage because you pay only copayments for services.

What are the top 3 Medicare Advantage plans?

The Best Medicare Advantage Provider by State Local plans can be high-quality and reasonably priced. Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana and United Healthcare earn the highest rankings among the national carriers in many states.

What is the most popular Medicare Part D plan?

Best-rated Medicare Part D providersRankMedicare Part D providerMedicare star rating for Part D plans1Kaiser Permanente4.92UnitedHealthcare (AARP)3.93BlueCross BlueShield (Anthem)3.94Humana3.83 more rows•Mar 16, 2022

What is the difference between Kaiser Senior Advantage and Senior Advantage Plus?

As a Kaiser Permanente Senior Advantage member, you enjoy the ease of combining your Medicare coverage with Kaiser Permanente coverage in a single plan. Now, with Advantage Plus, you can get valuable comprehensive dental, hearing, and extra vision benefits added to your plan.

Why do doctors not like Medicare Advantage plans?

If they don't say under budget, they end up losing money. Meaning, you may not receive the full extent of care. Thus, many doctors will likely tell you they do not like Medicare Advantage plans because private insurance companies make it difficult for them to get paid for their services.

Is Kaiser a Medicare Part C plan?

Kaiser Permanente is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Kaiser Permanente depends on contract renewal. Every year, Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system. Call a Kaiser Permanente Medicare specialist toll-free 7 days a week, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Does Kaiser accept AARP?

AARP in Kaiser is here to help you take on today – and every day. From sharing practical resources like job, health, and financial workshops, to holding fun activities and events, AARP is providing opportunities to connect and help build an even stronger Kaiser.

Can I get Medicare Part B for free?

While Medicare Part A – which covers hospital care – is free for most enrollees, Part B – which covers doctor visits, diagnostics, and preventive care – charges participants a premium. Those premiums are a burden for many seniors, but here's how you can pay less for them.

How do I cancel my Kaiser Senior Advantage Plus?

There are 2 ways you can ask to be disenrolled:You can make a request in writing to us. Contact Member Services if you need more information on how to do this. or.You can contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.

For our Medicare health plan members

If you're already a member of a Kaiser Permanente Medicare health plan, you can see and download much of your plan information online.

For our members turning 65

If you have individual or group health coverage through Kaiser Permanente and are eligible for Medicare coverage for the first time, we can take you through your options. Visit our website for members turning 65 and over and learn how to make a smooth transition to our Medicare health plan.

Join a Kaiser Permanente Medicare health plan

Go to our Medicare health plan website and explore what's available in your area. Learn all about when you are eligible, when you can enroll, and which plans offer the right cost and coverage for you or a loved one.

Need to know the basics?

Learn about Medicare parts A, B, C, and D. Get an overview of eligibility, enrollment dates, and your rights as a member. Check out the seminars available through our Medicare health plan website and see if there's one scheduled in your town.

Important information

You must reside in the Kaiser Permanente Medicare health plan service area in which you enroll.

What is Medicare Advantage?

Medicare Advantage is an all-in-one plan that bundles Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) with additional benefits. Kaiser Permanente Medicare health plans are examples of Medicare Advantage plans. Keep in mind that you need to be enrolled in Part B and eligible for Part A before you can sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan.

What is Medicare for 65?

Medicare is a federal health insurance program that provides health care coverage to millions of Americans who are 65 and older. (People with certain disabilities or health conditions may be eligible before they turn 65.) It’s designed to protect the health and well-being of those who use it.

How often does Medicare evaluate plans?

Every year, Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system.

What are the parts of Medicare?

With Medicare, it’s important to understand Parts A, B, C, and D — each part covers specific services, from medical care to prescription drugs.

Is Kaiser Permanente an HMO?

Kaiser Permanente is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Kaiser Permanente depends on contract renewal.

When will Medicare send my Social Security card?

Social Security will usually send your Medicare card 4 months before the month you turn 65.

Does Medicare Advantage include prescription drug costs?

If you choose a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C), your coverage may include prescription drug costs (Part D).

How many days a week does Kaiser have to speak to a specialist?

Speak with a Kaiser Permanente Medicare specialist 7 days a week, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

What is the number to call for KP?

If not a current KP member and you are eligible for KP employer/group Medicare health plan coverage, check with your benefits administrator to learn about enrollment options or call us at 1-855-832-0353.

Is Kaiser Permanente an HMO?

Kaiser Permanente is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Kaiser Permanente depends on contract renewal.

Where do you have to live to enroll in Kaiser?

You must reside in the Kaiser Permanente Medicare health plan service area in which you enroll.

What is Medicare for federal employees?

Thank you! Based on your answers, you might want to explore Medicare. Medicare is a federal health insurance program that covers millions of Americans. The plans are designed for people 65 and over, and for people with certain qualifying disabilities or conditions.

Is Kaiser Permanente Medicare a federal insurance?

Yes No. Thank you! Based on your answers, you might want to explore Medicare. Medicare is a federal health insurance program that covers millions of Americans. The plans are designed for people 65 and over, and for people with certain qualifying disabilities or conditions. Our Kaiser Permanente Medicare health plans provide quality care ...

Does Kaiser Permanente have a doctor?

All of our available doctors welcome our Medicare health plan members – and you can change to another available Kaiser Permanente doctor at any time, for any reason. Plus, you'll feel confident knowing that all of our Medicare health plans earned high ratings from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.*

1. Decide how much health care coverage you want

If you're only looking for basic, no-frills coverage, Original Medicare takes care of that. It's the combination of Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). To get help paying for prescription medications, you'll also need to enroll in a stand-alone Part D (prescription drug) plan.

2. Review plan costs

Look carefully at the costs of each plan, including premiums, deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. Then look a little further.

3. Find out if your doctors are on the plan's network

With Original Medicare, you can see any doctor who accepts Medicare. With most Medicare Advantage plans, you'll need to use doctors, hospitals, and other facilities in the plan's network.

4. Check out prescription drug coverage

Each health plan that offers prescription drug coverage will include a drug formulary, which is the list of medications the plan covers. Are the medications you're currently taking listed on the formulary?

5. Notice if extra benefits are included

Check to see if the plan provides fitness or dental benefits, vision care, or hearing-aid coverage. You won't find that coverage with Original Medicare, but it's often included as part of Medicare Advantage plans or is an optional add-on.

6. Consider what's covered when you travel

With Original Medicare, you can travel anywhere in the United States and its territories and get the medical care you need from any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans may not cover your care in the United States outside of the plan's service area, except for emergency and urgently needed care.

7. Check the plan's quality rating

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) evaluates the quality of Medicare Advantage plans every year and their ratings give you an apples-to-apples way to compare plans. A 5-star rating indicates the highest rated plan, and a 4-star rating means an above-average plan.

How to manage family care?

If you have a family, find a plan that lets you easily manage their care, such as scheduling appointments and viewing lab results online . Also, other digital tools can connect you to your care team from anywhere. You can get a checkup over video, review your doctor’s notes on your smartphone, and order prescriptions online for delivery to your home.

Why is integrated care important?

Integrated care meets you right where you are because it puts you at the center of everything. Doctors, hospitals, and health plans are all connected to each other with the shared mission of helping you stay at your best.

How to get better at meeting life's challenges?

You’re getting better at meeting life’s challenges — at work and in your personal life. You may be juggling your job, a growing family, evolving relationships — and time seems to be moving faster. Slow down and reflect on what’s important to you.

Is health care important?

Whether you’re moving to a new city, starting your first real job after school, or working multiple gigs to make ends meet, it feels like everything is happening for the first time. Health care probably isn’t top of mind, but it’s still important.

Medical Benefits Under Kaiser Medicare Advantage Plans

Before we begin, it’s important to know that Kaiser Permanente is not available in all states. Even in the states where Kaiser operates, Medicare Advantage plans may not be available in your zip code, so investigate this upfront. Plan benefits may also vary by your location. Here are the states in which Kaiser offers Medicare Advantage plans:

Non-Medical Benefits Under Kaiser Medicare Advantage Plans

When you are part of a Kaiser Medicare Advantage plan, you are eligible to join a Medicare Advantage Plus plan. This plan is offered for a low additional monthly premium and helps pay for several non-medical benefits, including:

Get started now

Interested in learning more about Medicare, Medigap, and Medicare Advantage plans? WebMD Connect to Care Advisors may be able to help.

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