It is our understanding that FirstCare Health Plans has made the decision to
not renew their Medicare Advantage contract with the Center for Medicare & Medicaid
Services (CMS) for 2017.
It is important to understand that you remain enrolled with FirstCare Medicare
Advantage and your benefits will continue through
December 31, 2016.
For the upcoming year, you have several options:
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Option 1: You can change to Original Medicare. Original Medicare is fee-for-service
coverage managed by the Federal government. If you choose Original Medicare,
you need to join a separate Medicare prescription drug plan to get prescription
drug coverage. You may also want to buy a Medicare Supplement Insurance
(Medigap) policy to fill in the gaps in Original Medicare coverage. Please
note if you currently pay a reduced Part B premium, you will lose access
to this benefit effective January 1, and will have the full Part B premium
deducted from your monthly Social Security check.
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Option 2: You can join another Medicare Advantage health plan. These Medicare Advantage
plans are offered by private companies that contract with Medicare to
provide benefits. Medicare Advantage plans cover all services that Original
Medicare covers and may offer extra coverage such as vision, hearing,
or dental. These Medicare Advantage plans often offer a smaller network
or panel of physicians. If you are choosing a Medicare Advantage Plan
there are local insurance agents who are able to help you understand your
insurance options and help you enroll. Please check with your current
insurance agent and let them know that you want a Medicare product where
you are able to continue to receive healthcare services from Covenant.
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- Original or Traditional Medicare
Original Medicare is a fee-for service coverage managed by the Federal
government.
These Medicare Advantage Plans are also known as Medicare Managed Care.
These plans are offered by private companies that contract with Medicare
to provide benefits. Often there is a smaller network or panel of physicians
who participate in these plans. All providers must have contracts with
the Medicare Advantage Plan to be considered as in-network and for patients
to receive the maximum benefits. Covenant participates with the following
Medicare Advantage Plans:
- Aetna Medicare Advantage
- Amerivantage offered by Amerigroup
- Care Improvement Plus Medicare Advantage
- Healthspring Medicare Advantage offered by Cigna/HealthSpring
- Firsthealth/Coventry Medicare Advantage (Advantra)
- Humana Medicare Advantage
- Presbyterian Medicare Advantage
- Universal American HMO/PPO/PFFS
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to
Contact Us.