If you know anything about Scottsdale, Arizona you know it is a big retirement city. Scottsdale is known for its upscale resorts, golf courses, spas, and shopping destinations. The city also has a vibrant arts scene, with many galleries and museums showcasing works by local and regional artists.
Making it, even more, retirement-friendly, Scottsdale has a desert climate, with hot summers and mild winters. It has plenty of tourists and snowbirds mixed inside urban and suburban neighborhoods.
If you are retiring here or are planning on it, you will not be disappointed. You may also be wondering, what is the best Medicare for turning 65 in Scottsdale. Let’s explore what Medicare is and what is your best option when you live, work, play or retire in Scottsdale.
What is Medicare in Scottsdale?
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people who are 65 or older, people with certain disabilities, and people with end-stage renal disease. To use Medicare, you will need to enroll in the program. If you are already receiving Social Security benefits, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance) at age 65.
If you are not yet receiving Social Security benefits, you will need to sign up for Medicare during your initial enrollment period, which begins three months before the month you turn 65 and ends three months after the month you turn 65. You can sign up for Medicare online at the Social Security Administration’s website, in person at a Social Security office, or by phone by calling 1-800-772-1213.
Once you are enrolled, you will receive a Medicare card in the mail. You can use this card to show providers that you are enrolled in Medicare and to help pay for your medical expenses.
You can use Medicare to cover your medical expenses such as doctor visits, hospital stays, and other medical services. However, it does not cover all medical expenses, so you may need to purchase additional coverage such as a Medigap policy or a Medicare Advantage plan to help pay for costs not covered by Medicare.
You should check which providers accept Medicare, and if a provider accepts Medicare, you should check if they accept your specific Medicare plan.
What is Medigap and Medicare Advantage in Scottsdale?
Naturally, you might be wondering what is Medigap and Medicare Advantage and if you really need them. This is the part where decision-making needs to happen so you can have the best Medicare for turning 65 in Scottsdale. Let’s explore what these are and which is best for you.
Medigap (also known as Medicare Supplement) is a type of insurance policy that is designed to supplement Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) by covering some of the out-of-pocket expenses that Medicare does not cover, such as deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. Medigap policies are sold by private insurance companies (like MedicareInc.com) and are standardized by the federal government. ]
To be eligible for Medigap, you must be enrolled in Original Medicare. You can enroll in a Medigap policy at any time, but if you enroll during your open enrollment period (which begins the month you turn 65) you are guaranteed coverage regardless of your health status.
But what about Medicare Advantage? Medicare Advantage (also known as Medicare Part C) is an alternative way to receive your Medicare benefits. Instead of receiving your benefits through Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), you receive them through a private insurance company that contracts with Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans are required to offer at least the same benefits as Original Medicare, but many plans also offer additional coverage such as vision, hearing, and dental benefits, as well as coverage for prescription drugs (Part D).
Medicare Advantage plans come in different types such as HMOs (Health Maintenance Organizations) and PPOs (Preferred Provider Organizations) and has different rules and networks of providers. Most plans require you to see doctors and hospitals within a specific network. Some plans may also have additional benefits such as gym memberships, wellness programs, and transportation to medical appointments.
To be eligible for a Medicare Advantage plan, you must be enrolled in Original Medicare and live in the service area of the plan you want to join. You can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan during the annual enrollment period (October 15-December 7) or during a special enrollment period if you qualify.
It is important to note that if you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, you must use the plan’s providers and facilities except in emergency or urgent care situations. Also, if you have a Medigap policy, you must give it up when you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, as Medigap policies cannot be used in conjunction with Medicare Advantage plans.
What is the Biggest Difference Between Medigap and Medicare Advantage in Scottsdale?
In truth, the majority of people benefit more from a Medigap Plan in Scottsdale than an Advantage Plan, and here is why. Medicare Advantage Plans typically have a very low or $0 monthly cost. Most seniors rejoice to hear this. However, when they go to use their Medicare Advantage Plan, they are stuck paying thousands of dollars in a deductible. Medigap Plans do not have large deductibles but typically have manageable monthly payments.
Additionally, Medicare Advantage does offer free vision, hearing, and dental. However, those particular benefits are very, very limiting and do not cover much beyond a traditional preventative exam.
Lastly, Medicare Advantage Plans leave you with very limited choices. They have small networks of doctors, so if your current doctor is not in the network, then your Advantage Plan will not cover you.
Final Thoughts on What is the Best Medicare For Turning 65 in Scottsdale?
Truthfully, at Medicareinc.com we do not like to sugarcoat the truth. Our members get the most benefit out of a Medigap Plan in Scottsdale. The benefits far outweigh all Medicare Advantage Plans. Call us today at (480)382-1823 or let us call you. Our services are always at no cost to you.
