Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage Plans: Essential Information for Healthcare Professionals Working with Older Adults

Since the 1990's, there has been a dramatic increase in the prevalence and promotion of Medicare Advantage plans.The distinction between traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans is significant but unclear to most people eligible for Medicare, and many healthcare professionals working with older adults.Assuming that older adults are capable of researching Medicare Advantage plans to fully understand their differences from traditional Medicare and potential limitations might reflect a lack of understanding about the medical, financial and cognitive challenges associated with increasing age.Differences between traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage are described with attention to their potential advantages and disadvantages for specific older adults.Recommendations are made for resources healthcare professionals working with older adults can access to familiarize themselves with specific challenges associated with aging, and how specific constellations of those challenges inform choices of health insurance plans. Medicare vs.