California Medicare: Medicare Advantage Plans in California

Medicare Advantage Plans in California

No obligation to enroll

Understanding Medicare Advantage Plans in California

Like any government program, Medicare can be difficult to navigate on your own, but knowing where you stand is important for California residents 65 years of age and older who are interested in Medicare Advantage Insurance coverage. Californians approaching age 65 should know their healthcare coverage options when buying a Medicare Advantage Plan.

Medicare Advantage, also called Medicare Part C, offers an option to receive the hospital insurance from Medicare Part A and/or the medical and doctor’s office insurance from Medicare Part B. Medicare Advantage (MA) programs in California are available from private insurance companies, are approved by Medicare, offer at least the same level of coverage as Medicare Parts A and B and often include additional benefits.

Compare Medicare plans and request a free quote today!

Get a Free Quote

No obligation to enroll

Am I Eligible for a Medicare Advantage Plan in California?

Deciding eligibility for enrollment in a California Medicare Advantage plan is easier than you might think. It’s identical to an individual’s eligibility for Medicare Parts A and B, assuming you reside in an area where Medicare Advantage plans are sold. Plans can depend on county and zip code locations. Copayments, coinsurance and deductibles vary depending on the Medicare Advantage Plan you enroll in.

California residents cannot be enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan and a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan at the same time. A Medicare Supplement plan (Medigap) helps cover some of the gaps in coverage like copayments, coinsurance and deductibles that aren’t covered by Medicare Parts A and B.

Will My Prescription Drugs Be Covered by Medicare Advantage Plans in California?

Any California resident looking for prescription drug coverage should consider a Medicare Part C plan as some Medicare Advantage Plans may include a Medicare Prescription Drug plan. Prescription drug coverage provided by Medicare Part D as a part of a Medicare Advantage plan is called a MAPD plan and can help cover the cost of prescription drugs.

Most Popular Medicare Advantage Plans in California

Finding the right Medicare Advantage plan in California is as unique as the person the plan is for. As reported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services (

CMS.gov

), among California residents enrolled in Medicare Advantage, 92% choose an HMO/HMOPOS plan, while 8% choose a Local PPO. Knowing how much Medicare plan coverage you need will help you determine the right Medicare Advantage Plan in California for your needs.

You can become more informed about Medicare Advantage plans available in California by contacting a SelectQuote licensed insurance agent who can guide you through enrollment. Acting as your advocate, our licensed insurance agents help you weigh the Medicare Advantage plan options in your area, understand costs and answer questions throughout the process. SelectQuote individually shops more than 20 national insurance companies to help find a plan that meets your individual needs and budget.

Get a Free Quote

No obligation to enroll

When is the California Medicare Advantage Plan Enrollment Period?

Enrollment in a Medicare Advantage Plan occurs during specified enrollment periods. Medicare enrollment in California opens for residents prior to turning age 65 or earlier in special disability cases. The Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) runs for seven months.

IEP begins three months before turning age 65, including the birthday month, and ends three months after the birthday month. It is also the time allotted for enrollment in Medicare Parts A, B, C and D. For example, if you’re a Californian with a May birthday, your IEP runs from February through August.

You may also enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, which occurs annually each fall. Medicare’s AEP runs from October 15 through December 7 each year. The key dates for AEP are as follows:

Oct. 15 – Annual Enrollment Period Begins

Dec. 7 – Annual Enrollment Period Ends

Jan. 1 – First Date Coverage can start

During the Annual Enrollment every year, California residents can:

Switch from Medicare Parts A and B (Original Medicare) to a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan
Change from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another
Switch from one Prescription Drug (Part D) plan to another
Add a Prescription Drug (Part D) plan if you didn’t enroll when first eligible for Medicare

In addition to AEP, California residents who are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan can make a one-time plan change during the Open Enrollment (OEP) period, which occurs each year from January 1 through March 31. There are also Medicare Special Enrollment Periods (SEP) you may be able to enroll in Medicare or make changes to your existing Medicare Advantage coverage because of certain events and life changes, such as moving or losing employer coverage.

Is a California Medicare Advantage Plan Right for You?

Wondering if you’re getting all the benefits available to you? A quick call or online form to SelectQuote can let you know. We can also help you stay up-to-date on annual changes to Medicare plans. As a trusted third-party company, SelectQuote is here to help California residents find the right Medicare Advantage Plan to meet their specific needs.

To ensure you are getting all the benefits you need, call or complete your online form today. Let SelectQuote’s experienced licensed insurance agents simplify the Medicare maze by comparing rates and independently shopping insurance companies to help you find an affordable option that meets your unique needs.

Get a Free Quote

No obligation to enroll

Looking for an affordable Medicare plan? Let us help.

Call SelectQuote

We’ll call you.