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Top-Rated Medicare Advantage Plans in California

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By Daniel Petkevich
Nov 4, 2022
​​Turning 65 is a major milestone, and it's even more important to be prepared for retirement in California given the state's large population of people over 65. According to the most recent US Census, around 6 million Californians are aged 65 or older. This number is growing every year as Baby Boomers reach this stage of life. While aging can be an exciting time, it also means that planning for the future becomes increasingly important. From setting up a retirement plan and establishing health insurance coverage to choosing living arrangements and creating a budget, there are many things you need to consider when you turn 65. Preparing for retirement can seem like an overwhelming task, but with the right help and guidance from Fair Square, this next phase of life can be your best yet in the Golden State.
Medicare Advantage Plans are the fastest growing options in Medicare (source:

KFF

). These can be a smart choice for Medicare beneficiaries in California. If you want lower monthly payments, and more extra benefits like dental, vision, and hearing (depending on the Plan), a Medicare Advantage plan may be a good option to consider. 29% of our clients in California are on Medicare Advantage plans. With so many people trying to sell Medicare Advantage plans, you should be careful not to join a plan that doesn’t fit with your lifestyle and priorities. Let’s talk through what to look for when comparing plans.

Why Medicare Advantage over Original Medicare?

If you’re approaching 65, you’ve likely been pitched on the perks of Medicare Advantage plans already. These plans

offer more coverage than just Parts A & B

. They often have extra benefits not found on Original Medicare. With Medicare Advantage there are fewer up front costs, and the trade-off can be more out-of-pocket costs as you seek more care. Another feature of Medicare Advantage is the HMO or PPO network, defined by the carrier that offers your plan. HMOs require you to stay in-network, while PPOs simply charge you more for seeking out-of-network care.
If these benefits are important for you, you don’t visit your physician frequently, and you are content with staying in your designated network, then Medicare Advantage could be a smart choice. In California, the average monthly premium is $14.46, and the average Max-Out-of-Pocket is $3,655.

How to Choose a Medicare Advantage Plan:

Choosing a Medicare Advantage plan can be daunting. Trying to consume all of the information available to you could take months. We recommend focusing on a few important plan details to evaluate. Consider the following:
  • Expected Total Annual Cost: Not just the plan’s low premium, but also its deductibles, copays, and coinsurance based on your healthcare needs.
  • Maximum Out-of-Pocket Cost: Consider how much you can afford to pay yearly in a worst-case scenario.
  • Doctors and Prescriptions: Will joining a specific plan align with your current physician and prescription drug needs?
  • HMO vs. PPO Network: Are you content in-network? Or do you want more flexibility in going outside the network?
  • Extra Benefits: Is Medicare Advantage your smartest way to save money on dental, vision, hearing, or other costs?
At the end of the day, your “Expected Total Annual Cost” is often what matters most. However, it’s also the most complicated detail to figure out. Our team of licensed insurance agents will help you calculate this number for your specific circumstance and find the plan to fit. At Fair Square, 96% of our clients would refer us to a friend or family member.

Speak with a Licensed Agent

Talk to one of our Licensed Medicare Agents today to find the right plans for you.
Representatives are available in California from 6am - 5pm PST.

Top-Rated Medicare Advantage Plans in California:

The following plans available in California for 2023 have received a 4 star rating out of five from the CMS.
  • UnitedHealthcare Canopy Health Medicare Advantage (HMO-POS) for $57.00/month
  • AARP Medicare Advantage Focus (HMO-POS) for $0.00/month
  • AARP Medicare Advantage Focus Plan 1 (HMO-POS) for $58.00/month
  • AARP Medicare Advantage Focus Plan 2 (HMO-POS) for $49.00/month
  • AARP Medicare Advantage Freedom Plus (HMO-POS) for $0.00/month
If you are eligible for these California based plans, they are certainly worth taking a look. But as you already know, there are a whole host of considerations when deciding on a Medicare Advantage plan. One of your first thoughts might be if your doctors are covered.

What do 4 star Medicare Advantage plans offer in California?

A few things to keep in mind when shopping around. You will still need to pay your Part B Premium of $164.90, the Premium you see is added on to that. Don’t get blinded by the benefits. Some perks might be flashy, but they’re only worth it when you use them and they don’t come at the expense of quality coverage. Contact one of our licensed agents to check if your Doctors and prescriptions are covered, and evaluate the tradeoff between any benefits.

Speak with a Licensed Agent

Talk to one of our Licensed Medicare Agents today to find the right plans for you.
Representatives are available in California from 6am - 5pm PST.

Top-Rated Medicare Advantage Plans in California:

UnitedHealthcare Canopy Health Medicare Advantage (HMO-POS)

2023 CMS Rating
Premium
$57.00
Copay
$0
Max Out-of-Pocket
$3,400
Dental
Vision
Hearing
Fitness
Telehealth
Transportation

AARP Medicare Advantage Focus (HMO-POS)

2023 CMS Rating
Premium
$0.00
Copay
$0
Max Out-of-Pocket
$3,450
Dental
Vision
Hearing
Fitness
Telehealth
Transportation

AARP Medicare Advantage Focus Plan 1 (HMO-POS)

2023 CMS Rating
Premium
$58.00
Copay
$0
Max Out-of-Pocket
$4,400
Dental
Vision
Hearing
Fitness
Telehealth
Transportation

AARP Medicare Advantage Focus Plan 2 (HMO-POS)

2023 CMS Rating
Premium
$49.00
Copay
$0
Max Out-of-Pocket
$4,400
Dental
Vision
Hearing
Fitness
Telehealth
Transportation

AARP Medicare Advantage Freedom Plus (HMO-POS)

2023 CMS Rating
Premium
$0.00
Copay
$0
Max Out-of-Pocket
$800
Dental
Vision
Hearing
Fitness
Telehealth
Transportation
Find a plan that you love? Let’s make sure that it’s the right fit. Click below to speak with one of our licensed Medicare experts today.

Speak with a Licensed Agent

Talk to one of our Licensed Medicare Agents today to find the right plans for you.
Representatives are available in California from 6am - 5pm PST.

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Virgil Insurance Agency, LLC (DBA Fair Square Medicare) and www.fairsquaremedicare.com are privately owned and operated by Help Button Inc. Medicare supplement insurance plans are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. This is a solicitation of insurance. A licensed agent/producer may contact you. Medicare Supplement insurance is available to those age 65 and older enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B and, in some states, to those under age 65 eligible for Medicare due to disability or End-Stage Renal disease. Virgil Insurance Agency is a licensed and certified representative of Medicare Advantage HMO, HMO SNP, PPO, PPO SNP and PFFS organizations and stand-alone PDP prescription drug plans. Each of the organizations we represent has a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any plan depends on contract renewal. The plans we represent do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Plan availability varies by region and state. For a complete list of available plans please contact 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week or consult www.medicare.gov. © 2022 Help Button Inc

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

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