Misleading Medicare Advantage Ads: What to Look Out For

Dear Sawy Senior, I'm currently enrolled in original Medicare but have been thinking about switching to a Medicare Advantage plan during the open enrollment period. Many of the Medicare Advantage ads I've seen offer lots of extra benefits beyond what traditional Medicare offers and no monthly premiums. What are your thoughts? Considering a Switch Dear Considering, Be very leery of the Medicare Advantage ads on TV, radio, social media and that come in the mail. While many of these ads may tout free vision, hearing, dental and other benefits with zero monthly premiums, they aren't always what they claim to be. Advantage Basics Medicare Advantage or MA plans (also known as Medicare Part C) are government approved health plans sold by private insurance companies that you can choose in place of original Medicare. The vast majority of Advantage plans are managed-care policies such as HMOs or PPOs that require you to get your care within a network of doctors in a geographic area.

You can sign up for one of them during open-enrollment season from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. MA plans have exploded in popularity in recent years as insurers have flooded the airways with advertisements, often by celebrity pitchmen, that promote low-cost options with lots of extra benefits. But be aware that the Federal government has deemed many claims in MA ads fraudulent and misleading. Some ads imply that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services endorses or prefers a specific plan. Others promise more cost savings than you really get. And if you choose the wrong plan, your doctor may not be a member of that plan's network, or you may end up paying out-of-pocket for medically necessary care. This past September, the US Department of Health and Human Services began cracking down on these ads, but you still need to practice self-defense. Here are some tips to help you make a good decision. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit Savvy Senior, org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of "The Savvy Senior" book.