What Is a Wellcare Medicare Advantage PPO Plan?
A Medicare Advantage PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plan is one of the two most popular types of Medicare Advantage plans, along with HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) plans.
A Wellcare Medicare PPO plan covers all the benefits offered by Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Part B). Many plans also cover extra benefits not offered by Original Medicare, such as coverage for prescription drugs, dental, vision, hearing and more.
Wellcare Medicare Advantage PPO plans can give you more freedom to visit health care providers who are not part of the Wellcare network, in addition to your in-network doctors and providers. This is different from an HMO plan, in which your coverage is typically restricted to your plan network of participating providers.
You also typically do not have to get a referral from your primary care doctor to visit a specialist with a Wellcare PPO plan.
While you’re free to visit certain specialists and health care providers outside of the plan network, you typically save money on out-of-pocket Medicare costs when you visit an in-network provider.
Why Should I Choose a Wellcare Medicare Advantage PPO Plan?
Wellcare Medicare Advantage PPO plans may be ideal for beneficiaries who enjoy having more freedom of choice when it comes to their health care.
- You typically won’t be required to get a referral from your primary care physician before seeing a specialist.
- You can typically get some coverage for approved health care services you receive from doctors who aren’t part of the Wellcare plan network.
How Much Do Wellcare Medicare Advantage PPO Plans Cost?
You can shop for Wellcare Medicare Advantage PPO plans that offer $0 or low premiums, low deductibles and $0 or low copays for certain services. And with a Wellcare Giveback plan, you may be able to recoup some or even all of your monthly Medicare Part B premium.
Preventive care is typically covered in full, and all Wellcare Medicare Advantage plans include an annual out-of-pocket spending limit that caps your annual spending on covered care.
What Does a Wellcare Medicare Advantage PPO Plan Cover?
Wellcare Medicare Advantage plans cover all the same benefits that you’ll find in Original Medicare, including Part A inpatient coverage and Part B outpatient care.
A Wellcare Medicare Advantage PPO plan may cover extra benefits Original Medicare doesn’t cover, such as:
- Prescription drugs
- Dental care
- Vision care
- Hearing care and hearing aids
- Over-the-counter health products like cold medicine and vitamins
- A personal emergency response system
- Transportation to pharmacies and medical appointments
- Fitness and wellness programs
- Telehealth
- Home safety devices and modifications
- In-home support services
Am I Eligible for a Wellcare Medicare Advantage PPO Plan?
To be eligible for a Wellcare Medicare Advantage PPO plan, you must first be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B. Original Medicare enrollment is required of all Medicare Advantage plans.
When Can I Enroll in a Wellcare Medicare Advantage PPO Plan?
Your first opportunity to enroll in a Wellcare Medicare Advantage PPO plan will typically be during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). This period begins three months before you turn 65 years old, includes your birthday month and ends three months later, for a total of seven months.
You may be able to enroll in or switch to a Wellcare Medicare Advantage PPO plan during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) that takes place from October 15 to December 7 each year. This is also referred to as the fall Medicare open enrollment period.
If you experience a qualifying life event such as moving to a new area or losing employer-provided health insurance, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
How Do I Enroll in a Wellcare Medicare Advantage PPO Plan?
We’re here to simplify your Medicare shopping experience and help you learn about the Wellcare Medicare Advantage plans available where you live. We can help you compare local Medicare Advantage plans side by side so you can find the Wellcare plan that works for you.
