Mississippi Hospital Association launches Medicare Advantage education campaign

TUPELO — The Mississippi Hospital Association (MHA) has launched an education campaign to help seniors and their families understand the differences between Traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage offered by private insurance companies before enrollment ends on Dec. 7.

"When considering a plan, it is so important to consider health care needs, financial impact, provider access and other issues," Richard Roberson, MHA CEO and President, said in a statement. "Our hospitals are prioritizing high quality care which addresses every patient's individual needs. We hope these resources will help Mississippi seniors and their loved ones choose a plan which also puts these critical concerns first."

Medicare Advantage, a privatized alternative to Traditional Medicare, often seems attractive due to lower premiums and additional benefits but the plans tend to have significant risks like limiting in-network doctors and hospitals, high out-of-pocket expenses and prior authorization requirements, according to MHA.

MHA encourages seniors to talk with their health care provider about the doctor's experience with Medicare Advantage plans. The patient should ensure their preferred doctors and hospitals are in their plan's network and will continue to be.

People should also do their own research, refusing to be swayed by aggressive advertising and sales tactics, to compare plans and understand the differences in coverage and costs.

Switching from Traditional Medicare to Medicare Advantage means giving up Medigap coverage, which can be challenging to regain later, MDA said. Medicare Advantage plans are often cheaper upfront but can lead to unexpected and potentially high out-of-pocket expenses as well.

If a patient experiences problems with a Medicare Advantage plan, like denial of care or misleading information, they are encouraged to report it to Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE.

For more information and tips on choosing the right plan, visit mhanet.org/medicare.

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