Medicare Advantage is a type of health plan offered by private companies that provides an alternative to Traditional Medicare. These plans often include additional benefits such as dental, vision, and hearing coverage, and may require you to get approval before it covers certain drugs or services.
Medicare includes both hospital and medical insurance and allows you to use any doctor or hospital that takes Medicare anywhere in the US. In most cases you don’t need a referral to see a specialist or prior approval to cover your medical services and supplies.
Traditional Medicare is accepted by nearly every doctor and hospital in the United States — including specialists like retina physicians. With Medicare Advantage, you’re often limited to a smaller network and may need referrals or prior approvals before receiving care.
Traditional Medicare gives you the freedom to see the specialists you trust, when you need them.
While some Medicare Advantage plans advertise low monthly premiums, they often come with high co-pays and out-of-pocket costs when you need care. Traditional Medicare with a Medigap (Supplemental) plan can mean:
| Feature | Traditional Medicare + Medigap | Medicare Advantage (MA) |
|---|---|---|
| Doctor & Hospital Choice | Any provider nationwide | Restricted network |
| Prior Authorizations | Rarely required | Often required |
| Out-of-Pocket Costs | Predictable with Medigap | Can be high for ongoing care |
| Specialist Access | Easy | May need referrals |
| Nationwide Coverage | Yes | Usually limited to local area |
Current forecasts call for winter weather overnight in the Peoria area. Please check Illinois Eye Center’s website for the latest information on closures or delayed opening that may impact your appointment on Friday January 10. If you prefer to request a reschedule of your appointment now, please use the link below.