A Worksheet for Comparing Medicare Advantage Plans
If you’re shopping for a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan, you probably have several options to choose from. So how do you find the plan that’s right for you?
The first step is understanding MA plans and the type of coverage they provide. One of the most important things to know is that all MA plans are offered by private insurance companies contracted with Medicare. By law, these plans must provide at least the same level of coverage that Medicare Part A and Part B, often called Original Medicare, provide. But many MA plans also provide additional benefits not included in Original Medicare.
“Using a tool that helps you compare the different MA plans available is a great way to ensure the plan you choose will help you achieve your health goals.”
Individual MA plans can differ greatly based on elements like how much the plan costs, which doctors you can see and whether the plan includes special benefits, such as gym memberships or help paying for your over-the-counter medicines. Using a tool that helps you compare the different MA plans available is a great way to ensure the coverage you choose will help you achieve your health goals.
A worksheet to get you started
By downloading, printing and filling out our MA plan comparison worksheet, you can keep track of the most important elements of different MA plans as you do your research. Gathering the relevant information for the categories included in the worksheet will allow you to perform a side-by-side comparison of different plans. You can fill out the form while doing research on your own online, or you can work with an agent to help complete the worksheet. And if you already have coverage and are interested in seeing how it stacks up to other options, enter the relevant information from your current plan in the first column so you can easily compare it to other plans.
Below you’ll find a shortened example of what your completed worksheet may look like.
Sample Medicare Advantage plan comparison worksheet (click to download a blank worksheet you can use to research MA plans available to you).
Please note that all information included in the sample worksheet below is for illustrative purposes only and doesn’t represent actual plans.
| Company Plan name |
Company 1 Sample plan 1 |
Company 2 Sample plan 2 |
Company 3 Sample plan 3 |
Company 4 Sample plan 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly plan premium | $0 | $50 | $0 | $25 |
| $100 in network $200 out of network |
$100 in network $500 out of network |
$150 in network $200 out of network |
$100 in network $250 out of network |
|
| Out-of-pocket maximum | $6,700 in network $10,000 out of network |
$5,000 in network $10,000 out of network |
$6,700 in network $10,000 out of network |
$6,700 in network $10,000 out of network |
| Is my PCP in network? | Yes, Dr. Smith | No | No | Yes, Dr. Smith |
| Dental benefit? | Yes, allowance of $1,000 | No | Yes, allowance of $500 | Yes, allowance of $1,000 |
| Dental network requirement? | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Eyewear benefit? | Yes, $185 every year for eyewear | Yes, $100 every year for eyewear | No | Yes, $150 every year for eyewear |
| Hearing aid benefit? | Yes, $0 for basic hearing aid | Yes, $10 for basic hearing aid | No | Yes, $0 for basic hearing aid |
| Allowance for over-the-counter items? | Yes, $50 every 3 months | No | No | Yes, $50 every 3 months |
| Notes | SilverSneakers® fitness | No preferred pharmacy in area | Includes acupuncture | Includes chiropractic services |
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