It’s only natural for people to want the best healthcare coverage. Many people enjoy the nationwide, broad provider access of Medicare Supplement plans, while others are drawn to the “Extra Benefits” of a Medicare Advantage plan, like dental, vision, hearing, OTC allowances, gym memberships and more.
It would only make sense that some people might wonder if they can have both a Medicare Supplement Plan and a Medicare Advantage Plan. Unfortunately, you can’t have double Medicare coverage in Nevada, and here’s what you need to know.
CMS Rule: One or the Other
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) state that you cannot have both a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) and a Medicare Advantage plan at the same time.
While it might feel like “regulations for the sake of regulations,” there’s actually a good reason for denying double Medicare coverage in Nevada: It prevents overlapping coverage and confusion. There’s already enough paperwork that goes into Medicare coverage, and having to choose which plan to use for which procedures just makes things even more complicated, potentially slowing down the process and leading to more issues.
Benefits of Choosing a Medicare Supplement Plan
Medigap plans work with Original Medicare and cover out-of-pocket costs like deductible, coinsurance, and copayments.
The main benefit to choosing a Medicare Supplement plan is the network. Medicare Supplement plans are accepted at any hospital or doctor that accepts Medicare — which is a lot, and they’re all across the country.
However, Medicare Supplement plans require applicants to answer health questions during the underwriting process. Because of this, many people with preexisting conditions may be denied coverage when applying outside of their initial enrollment window.
Benefits of Choosing a Medicare Advantage Plan
Medicare Advantage plans replace Original Medicare as the primary payer for healthcare services. There are no health questions and guaranteed acceptance. However, the network isn’t quite as strong as with Medicare Supplement plans.
There are two types of Medicare Advantage plans to choose from:
- HMO Plans: Limited local networks that often require referrals for specialists.
- PPO Plans: More flexibility and can cover routine care nationwide but don’t contract with all Medicare hospitals like Medigap.
The main benefits to choosing Medicare Advantage over a Medicare Supplement plan is that MA plans often come with bundled extras, like dental, vision, and hearing. However, these extras aren’t always worth it if the network is lacking.
No Double Coverage in Nevada: Find Your Best Option
Choosing the right Medicare coverage is an important decision. And since you can’t get double Medicare coverage in Nevada, you have to choose one or the other.
If you’re undecided about whether to choose a Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage plan, contact us at Health Benefits Associates. Our team of local agents will walk you through your options to help you choose the one that’s right for your needs and budget. Schedule an appointment by calling 775-828-1216 today.
