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Medicare Advantage Enrollment Program
Providers of Medicare Advantage (MA) health care plans approved by Medicare that accept applications for enrollment in one of the four Medicare Advantage options that offer Part A (hospital) and Part B (medical) coverage, as well as prescription drug coverage which may also be included. Many providers of MA Plans offer extra benefits (e.g., vision, dental coverage) and lower co-payments than in the Original Medicare Plan. However, they may require participants to use physicians, hospitals and other providers that are part of the plan or provider network. Medicare Advantage Plans include: Medicare Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Plans; Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO) Plans; Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) Plans; and Medicare Special Needs Plans (SNP). To join a Medicare Advantage Plan, an individual must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B. In addition to paying the monthly Part B premium required by Medicare, MA providers may require a monthly premium for the extra benefits provided by the Plan.
Medicare 101
PACE Programs
Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is a Medicare and Medicaid program that helps people meet their health care needs in the community instead of going to a nursing home or other care facility. The care is overseen by an interdisciplinary team, consisting of professional and paraprofessional staff. Participants must be at least 55 years of age, live in the PACE service area, and be certified as eligible for nursing home care by the appropriate State agency and be able to live safely in the community with the help of PACE. The PACE program becomes the sole source of services for Medicare and Medicaid eligible enrollees.