If you’re like most people, the idea of getting even more coverage under your existing insurance plan is an exciting prospect.

It doesn’t happen often – but when it does, it’s a cause for celebration.

Well, get ready to celebrate if you have Medicare Advantage in Atlanta because this program has currently undergone an expansion plan.

What does this mean for you or your loved ones who need to take advantage of programs like in-home care services or adult day care services?

What’s the Difference Between Medicare and Medicare Advantage (MA)?

To start, let’s look at the difference between Medicare and Medicare Advantage (MA).

Medicare is a federally funded healthcare program for people aged 65 and older. While it’s nice the government has provided this service to the nation’s seniors, the program itself has some disadvantages.

For one thing, its coverage is very basic and doesn’t include coverage for dental, vision, hearing tests or procedures.

Another reason why this plan isn’t always ideal is it doesn’t always provide coverage for services like senior home care or senior day care. Some programs do, but not all of them.

Medicare Advantage is a program which allows seniors to sign up for insurance provided by private companies which have been vetted by Medicare. The great thing about MA is it’s a bundled package, meaning you get the benefits of Medicare along with the added benefits of private insurance, including vision and dental care.

How MA Is Expanding and How this Impacts Home Care and Adult Day Care Services

Recently, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services released an article announcing the expansion of Medicare Advantage.

Starting in 2020, MA plans will include:

• Transportation
• House cleaning
• Home meal deliveries

Under the new plans, benefit recipients might be eligible for several home health care services. These benefits may include:

• Adult day care
• Caregiver support
• Home safety improvements
• A variety of in-home support services

Will the new expansion help seniors only? Absolutely not! People who have MA due to chronic illness will also benefit by being able to pick plans suited to their unique needs.

In fact, some plans are going to be completely customizable, allowing beneficiaries to create their own plans. So, if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with diabetes and you need dietary support – you can set up a plan that fits those needs.

When Will the New Changes to Medicare Advantage Go into Effect?

The changes being made to Medicare Advantage are the first in over a decade, and thankfully, the changes being made are really impressive.

The government recognizes the benefits of providing things like adult day care and in-home assistance. These services keep seniors comfortable in their own homes, reduce loneliness and depression, and can keep seniors healthier by preventing certain injuries and illnesses.

When can you start taking advantage of these customizable MA plans? You can start enrolling during the annual enrollment period between October 15th and December 7th. However, you can preview the plans starting October 1st, so you can get a head start deciding which plan is going to fill your needs the best.

Talk to Your Insurance Provider as Soon as Possible to Find out More

Unfortunately, not everyone who has MA will be eligible for the new expansion. Much of this depends upon your unique plan.

Talk to your insurance provider about the new expansion and see if/how you or your loved one can benefit.

If you do find out the improvements extend to your particular plan, make sure to set aside time to contact us at Skylark Senior Care to find out even more about how you or your loved one can take advantage of the new Medicare Advantage expansion.