FAQs
Do all MA plans have a premium?
No—about two-thirds of MA-PD plans have $0 additional premium beyond your Part B.
Disclaimer: $0 premium plans may not be available in all areas.
Do credit cards’ travel benefits replace a standalone policy?
Credit cards may include some trip protections, but limits and covered reasons vary widely and may not include medical or evacuation at adequate levels. Treat card benefits as a partial safety net, not a full substitute; read the benefit guide.
Do I need a medical exam to enroll in Critical Illness Insurance?
It depends. Some policies are fully underwritten with medical questions or exams, while guaranteed-issue plans require none, though may have limited benefits.
Do I need a medical exam to qualify for Final Expense insurance?
Most final expense plans require no medical exam—only a simple health questionnaire. Some offer guaranteed issues (no health questions at all).
Do I need both STD and LTD coverage?
If you don’t have savings to cover 3–6 months, STD is important. If long absences could threaten retirement or financial stability, LTD offers protection well into the future .
Do I need referrals for specialists under my MA plan?
That depends on the plan: HMOs usually require referrals, while PPOs generally do not.
Do I need to monitor my UL policy?
Yes. Monitoring is essential to ensure your cash value can support costs—interest fluctuations or loans may require increased premium payments.
Do I qualify for financial help under the ACA?
Many people receive a premium tax credit if their income is between 100–400% of the federal poverty level (FPL); current law extends that to higher-income households through 2025.
Additional cost-sharing reductions are available for lower-income consumers, typically on Silver-tier plans.
Do I really need travel insurance?
It depends on your trip and your existing coverage. Travel insurance can protect your health abroad, reimburse nonrefundable trip costs (cancellation/interruption/delay), and help with lost baggage—gaps your current insurance or cards may not fully cover.
Do MA benefits change each year?
Yes—plan details like premiums, networks, drug coverage, and extra perks may change annually. Review your plan’s Annual Notice of Change each fall.
Disclaimer: Always review your plan’s Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) each fall.
Do MA plans cover dental, vision, and hearing care?
Yes—nearly all MA plans include dental, vision, and hearing benefits, often at no extra premium.
Disclaimer: Not all plans include these benefits; availability and limits vary by insurer and service area.
Do MA plans include prescription drug coverage?
Yes, Many Medicare Advantage plans include Part D drug coverage. Availability varies by plan and service area.
Do MA plans pay my Part B premium?
Some plans offer a Part B “giveback”, reducing or covering your Part B premium—ranging from a few cents to the full amount.
Disclaimer: Not all plans offer this benefit; availability and amount vary by service area and plan.
Do Medigap premiums increase over time?
Yes—depends on rating. Attained-age rises with age; community-rated increases with inflation; issue-age stays stable but may adjust due to overall cost changes.
Do short-term plans qualify for subsidies?
No. These plans are not ACA-compliant, so you can’t get premium tax credits or cost-sharing reductions.