Medicare Advantage Disadvantage

Does your doctor accept Medicare Advantage plans? Learn the differences between Traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans that can make you find a new doctor and possibly travel farther for the care you need.

Nationally, only 1% of non-pediatric doctors in the U.S. have opted-out of Medicare. 42% of those who have opted-out are psychiatrists.

Most doctors accept new Medicare patients, with acceptance rates of 89% nationally among office based physicians. 

States with the lowest percent of physicians accepting new Medicare patients include Utah and Oregon at 79%, then California, Nevada, Washington, Alaska, Maine and Maryland at between 80% and 82%. Followed by Montana, New York and Connecticut at between 83% and 84%.

If your healthcare provider accepts Medicare Parts A and B, they will also accept any Medicare supplement plan from any insurance company.

According to kff.org, only 46% of doctors accept some Medicare Part C plans (aka Medicare Advantage). Even then, they may not accept your plan. The networks of doctors can vary depending on each Medicare plan and can change annually.

Only 22% of Medicare Advantage Plans have a network that consists of at 70% of doctors that accept Medicare in their area. 43% of Advantage plans have networks that include only 30% to 69% of area physicians that accept Original Medicare. A full 35% of Advantage plans have networks limited to less than 30% of doctors that accept Medicare in their area of coverage.

As always, asking questions and doing your research is key to choosing the best Medicare coverage. Medigap Seminars is an independent Medicare insurance expert. We advise on both Medicare supplement plans and Advantage plans. Even more, our services are free to the consumer. Talk to a Medicare expert today!