INSURANCE Laura Mutsko Mutsko Insurance Services, LLC

Laura Mutsko Agent, CSA and Certified Healthcare Reform Specialist

Q: My sister told me her Medicare Advantage plan pays for some things that are not covered by my Original Medicare. Please tell me what extra benefits she gets that I don’t get. A: Let me begin by explaining that Medicare Advantage Plans (sometimes called Medicare Part C) are offered by private companies approved by Medicare. Their plans must cover all of the services Original Medicare covers. In addition, most Medicare Advantage Plans offer extra benefits which may vary from plan to plan. Here are some of the more popular extra benefits:

Telehealth and Nurse-on-Call Option

Telehealth and Nurse-on-Call are two great options, especially now that cold and flu season is in full swing. Instead of sitting in a waiting room full of sick people, you can use Telehealth to consult with a physician through the internet from your home, office or anywhere you have internet access. Many plans provide a 24-hour nurse hotline for those times when you have a question or need some medical advice. Both Telehealth and Nurse-on-Call are often provided at little or no charge.

Get Active, Get Fit

Most Advantage Plans offer some form of wellness benefits to encourage you to get active and improve your overall fitness level. The most common program is Silver Sneakers which offers full access to more than 14,000 gyms and fitness centers across the country. Membership in Silver Sneakers is free with participating Advantage Plans.

Vision Coverage

Do you wear contact lenses or glasses? While Original Medicare covers eye care related to certain conditions, many Medicare Advantage Plans include additional coverage for routine eye exams and eyewear. It is important for you to learn which physicians and vision care professionals participate in your plan before your visit.

Dental Care

Original Medicare does not cover routine dental care. However many Advantage Plans provide some routine dental coverage. Check with your dentist to learn whether he or she participates in your plan’s network.

Podiatry Visits

Some Medicare Advantage Plans now offer routine foot care as an add-on benefit. Other Advantage plan benefits may include hearing aids, medical alert devices and discounts on a variety of products and services. Your particular plan’s benefits will be outlined in your Summary of Benefits information. You can also contact your plan’s customer service department for more information and to get a list of doctors and other providers who participate in their provider network. If you would like to learn more about Medicare, Medicare Supplements and Medicare Advantage plans, please join me for my class, Getting Started with Medicare. Upcoming classes will be held on January 16 at Concord Community Center at 6:30 PM and in conjunction with the Mentor Library on January 24 at 6:00 PM. For details and registration information, call Concord Library at 440-639-4650 or Mentor Library at 440-255-8811 x216. 6982 Spinach Drive, Mentor, OH 44060 440-255-5700 www.mutskoinsurance.com