2010 Medicare Advantage Private Fee for Service
Many insurance carriers that offer Medicare Advantage Private Fee for Service (PFFS) plans are cancelling those plans for the 2010 year. This means that an estimated 660,000 Medicare beneficiaries on Medicare PFFS plans will need to change their plan by enrolling in a new Medicare plan before January 1st 2010.
Medicare PFFS plans are Medicare health plans sponsored by private insurance companies, such as United Healthcare, Coventry, Wellcare and many others. Medicare PFFS plans are popular because they are not required to have a doctor or hospital network. Medicare beneficiaries are allowed to visit any doctor or hospital as long as the doctor or hospital is willing to accept payment from the insurance company.
If you are on a Medicare PFFS plan that has been cancelled for next year (2010), you will receive information in the mail from your Medicare insurance carrier with instructions regarding your options. Generally, an Original Medicare plan or a Medicare Advantage PPO plan may provide you with the closest experience to a Medicare Advantage PFFS plan. Please keep in mind, you are not required to remain with the same carrier if your PFFS plan was cancelled. You may select a plan offered by the same insurance carrier or pick a new plan from a different insurance carrier in your area.