Kristine Grow, the spokesperson from the Coalition for Medicare Choices, explains why Medicare Advantage plans are growing in popularity. She joins Suzanne to explain who it covers, how it's accessible, and how the country's demographics apply.

Kristine explains, "when you become eligible for Medicare, you have choices and to what kinds of health care coverage you can enroll in. Original Medicare are the parts that are considered Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B. A covers a chunk of hospitalization costs. Medicare part B covers a chunk of doctor visits in other sorts of visits. Medicare Advantage is Medicare part C, and Medicare Advantage covers everything that original Medicare covers ,plus a whole lot more. So if you enroll both parts A and B, you can also choose part C.

"Some of the benefits that we hear from our seniors, who are part of the Coalition for Medicare Choices, what they really like about Medicare Advantage is the vast majority of these plans include prescription drug coverage. A lot of Americans are surprised when they hear that original Medicare doesn't include prescription drug coverage. It also includes services like dental, vision, and hearing services which are very important. Other services include coordination of care, particularly for conditions that are chronic, such as if you have heart disease or a heart condition, if you have diabetes, very common kinds of health conditions that if you proactively manage them, you can stay healthier a little bit longer and realize and achieve a better quality of life than you may otherwise.

"There are also more benefits in Medicare Advantage that are being included now, which are called supplemental benefits. And these are benefits to address what are called the social determinants of health, or social barriers to better health. For example, if you have a home that doesn't have very good air conditioning or heating, and you have some, some health risks, you may be able to get additional services to help you keep your cold place warmer or your warm place a little bit cooler. You may get transportation back and forth to the doctor's office, for the pharmacy to get the care that you need, even healthy foods and healthy meal programs if that is a risk factor for you. So there's a lot of these Medicare advantage programs offer, beyond original Medicare."

Visit MedicareChoices.org to learn more about Medicare Advantage and the Coalition for Medicare Choices.

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