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Frequently Asked Questions

SummaCare Medicare Advantage Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about Medicare Advantage? You're not alone. We receive questions from people all the time. People just like you who want to make the best, most informed decision possible. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions answered by our expert SummaCare Medicare Advantage Advisors.

General

What are Medicare Advantage plans?

A Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare Part C coverage is an all-in-one bundled healthcare plan that's offered through private insurance companies, like SummaCare, for those who are Medicare-eligible. With a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C), you gain bundled hospital (Part A), medical (Part B) and, usually, Part D prescription coverage plus dental, hearing and vision benefits included in one plan premium.

What is an HMO plan?

An HMO plan typically only covers in-network benefits. To receive in-network benefits, you must seek care exclusively from providers in your network. With an HMO plan, you will be responsible for paying the cost of all care that is provided by non-network/out-of-network providers unless the care you receive from the non-network/out-of-network providers is pre-authorized or is for emergency or urgent care services.

What is an HMO-POS plan?

An HMO-POS is similar to an HMO plan but allows you the flexibility to seek care from any Medicare-approved provider, though your out-of-pocket costs may be higher if you see providers outside of your network.

What benefits and services are included in and excluded from my coverage?

To view a list of your covered benefits and services, refer to your Explanation of Coverage(EOC). For full details and exclusions on dental benefits, you can view your dental handbook at summacare.com/plandocuments.

What is a Premium?

A premium is the periodic payment to Medicare, an insurance company or a health care plan for health or prescription drug coverage.

Do I have to see Summa Health providers and go to Summa Health hospitals?

No, SummaCare members are not limited to Summa Health providers. SummaCare Medicare members with HMO plans can choose from thousands of doctors within the SummaCare SCMedicare network. SummaCare Medicare members with HMO-POS plans can see any doctor that accepts Medicare. Find out if your doctor is covered.

How is SummaCare able to offer plans with $0 premiums?

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) pays private health insurance companies (like SummaCare) to administer Medicare Advantage plans by providing companies a fixed payment for each person enrolled. These companies can offer a $0 premium plan(s) by using savings from managing costs effectively, but members will have other costs such as copayments, coinsurance and deductibles but will be capped by the plan's yearly out-of-pocket limit.

How do you qualify for Medicare?

If you are turning 65, you can apply for coverage beginning 3 months before your 65th birthday, the month of your 65th birthday and 3 months after your 65th birthday. If you are disabled, you can contact us for more information.

You may also be eligible to apply if you meet criteria for a Special Enrollment Period for individuals who, for example, have recently moved to our service area or recently qualify for Medicare. If you have questions about the Special Enrollment Period, you can contact us for more information.

What are the four parts to Medicare?

There are four parts to Medicare.

Part A: This covers hospital bills for inpatient stays as well as things like home healthcare, hospice or nursing care. There usually is not a premium associated with Part A.

Part B: This covers doctor, outpatient hospital, diagnostic tests, ambulance, durable medical equipment and other home health care services that are not covered under Part A. There is a premium for Part B and this premium changes every year. Typically this premium is automatically deducted from your Social Security check.

Part C: Medicare Part C, also known as a Medicare Advantage plan, is used to provide an alternative way to receive Medicare benefits, bundling Part A (hospital insurance), Part B (medical insurance), and usually Part D (prescription drug coverage), into a single plan offered by a private insurance company. These plans often provide extra benefits beyond Original Medicare, such as dental, vision, and hearing care, and come with an annual out-of-pocket maximum to limit your annual costs.

Part D: This is the voluntary prescription drug benefit program. Part D gives all Medicare beneficiaries the option to purchase prescription drug coverage from the company of their choice. Original Medicare coverage by itself does not include prescription drug coverage. Medicare drug coverage (also known as Medicare Part D) helps pay for the brand-name and generic drugs you need. It's optional and offered to everyone with Medicare by insurance companies and other private companies approved by Medicare. Even if you don’t take prescription drugs now, consider getting Medicare drug coverage to avoid paying a late enrollment penalty if you join a plan later.

How are SummaCare Medicare Advantage Plans different from Original Medicare?

All SummaCare Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plans offer extra benefits not covered by Original Medicare. These include Part D prescription drug coverage, as well as dental, vision, hearing aid coverage, a quarterly allowance for non-prescription over-the-counter health related items and acupuncture services. In addition, a FREE gym membership is available with all plans. There are a number of other supplementary benefits that you don’t get with Original Medicare.

***Does not apply to the SummaCare Amber (HMO) plan.

Do I give up Medicare by joining SummaCare?

Absolutely not. You keep your Medicare card. It’s just that we administer the benefits and offer you additional benefits as well. So, you’ll use a SummaCare identification card when you visit your physician or require treatment. But keep your Medicare card in case you cancel your SummaCare membership.

What if I move out of the area?

Our contract with Medicare allows us to serve you only as long as you live in Allen, Ashland, Ashtabula, Auglaize, Carroll, Columbiana, Cuyahoga, Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Geauga, Hancock, Henry, Holmes, Huron, Lake, Lorain, Lucas, Mahoning, Medina, Mercer, Ottawa, Portage, Putnam, Sandusky, Seneca, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, Tuscarawas, Van Wert, Wayne and Wood counties in Ohio. If you move away from this area, or leave for more than 12 consecutive months, you must tell us in writing so we can disenroll you. At that point, you become covered under Original Medicare or you can enroll in another Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan because you will be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP).

Can I change my Primary Care Physician?

Yes, at any time. Simply complete the online form or call a Member Services representative so we can help you change physicians and make the change to your records. Usually this change will be effective within 14 days from the time you call. We will notify you when this change is effective.

What if I already belong to another Medicare Advantage Plan?

If you choose to enroll in SummaCare, your coverage from your current Medicare Advantage Plan will automatically be terminated. You can only belong to one Medicare Advantage Plan at a time. Keep in mind that there are only certain times during the year when you can change plans.

What if I want to go back to original Medicare?

You may switch back to Original Medicare during the Medicare Open Enrollment Period (OEP) which runs from January 1 through March 31 of each year. After March 31, in most cases, you will have to wait until the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), which runs from October 15 through December 7 of each year, to make this switch.

Will you disenroll me if I get sick?

No. We will be there for you whether you’re healthy or sick. We will not disenroll you due to illness, no matter how severe.

Do I still need to pay my Medicare Part B premium?

Yes, you must continue to pay your Part B premium, which is normally deducted from your Social Security check.

What do SummaCare plans cover?

SummaCare Medicare Advantage plans cover everything Original Medicare covers and more. Most of our plans also include Medicare (Part D) prescription drugs.

Provider Network

How do I find a provider or hospital?

SummaCare makes it easy for you to find a doctor or hospital in our network. You can:

What if my current provider is not in your network?

If you cannot find your current doctor(s) in our provider listing, please call us first. Because provider listings may change daily, our representatives can review the most current information.

Do I need a referral from my Primary Care Physician (PCP) to see a specialist?

No; however, we recommend you first seek care through your Primary Care Physician (PCP) to identify the most appropriate course of treatment and to determine the most appropriate specialist to provide the specialty care needed.

What if I’m traveling outside of the SummaCare service area and need care?

If you’re traveling outside of the service area, all SummaCare Medicare Advantage plans offer coverage anywhere in the country for emergency, urgent care and ambulance services and up to $25,000 per year for emergency services outside the continental United States. If you enroll in a SummaCare Medicare Sapphire (HMO-POS) plan or SummaCare Medicare Emerald (HMO-POS) plan, you can receive care from any Medicare-approved provider even if they are not in the SCMedicare network. Please note that your out-of-pocket costs may be higher if you select providers outside of our network.

If you have to fill a prescription while outside of SummaCare’s service area, we will cover your prescriptions at in-network pharmacies under the applicable co-payment amount, after the deductible, while you travel. Our pharmacy network includes most national chains. If traveling, your out-of-pocket costs may be higher if you fill a prescription at an out-of-network pharmacy. To search for a pharmacy, use the Find Your Pharmacy tool. All SummaCare Medicare Advantage plans include Visitor/Travel Coverage. Please refer to the Evidence of Coverage documents for more information.

Does SummaCare offer a Mail-Order Pharmacy?

SummaCare partners with Birdi, allowing your routine prescription drugs to be delivered to your home. This program is designed to ensure satisfaction and provide the convenience of home delivery.

How do I obtain information about practitioners who participate in the SummaCare network?

You can search for practitioners who participate in the SummaCare network by using our online tool.

How do I obtain primary care services, including points of access?

Find a primary care physician by using our online tool. You can search for a primary care physician by selecting "Family Medicine (PCP)," "General Practice (PCP)," "Internal Medicine (PCP)," or "Pediatrics (PCP)."

Part D Prescription Drug Coverage

Does SummaCare offer a Mail-Order Pharmacy?

SummaCare partners with Birdi, allowing your routine prescription drugs to be delivered to your home. This program is designed to ensure satisfaction and provide the convenience of home delivery.

How can I reduce my prescription drug costs?

  • Use generic medications. Talk with your doctor about the medications you are currently taking to find out if there are generic or less expensive brand-name drugs that would work just as well as the ones you’re taking now.
  • Order a 90-day supply through mail-order or retail. For long-term maintenance drugs (that you use for 3 months or more), save money by ordering a 90-day supply using our convenient mail-order pharmacy or from your local pharmacy if it participates in our Choice 90 program. Tier 1 and Tier 6 drugs are available for up to a 100-day supply. To learn more about SummaCare’s Choice 90 program, please call us.
  • Check if you qualify for extra help. People with limited incomes may qualify for extra help to pay for their prescription drug costs. If you qualify, you can get assistance paying for your Part D monthly premium, annual Part D deductible, coinsurance and copayments. Learn more by calling your local Social Security office or 1.800.MEDICARE (800.633.4227), 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Persons with hearing impairments should call TTY 877.486.2048.

Are vaccines covered?

While some vaccines are covered under Part B medical coverage, Medicare Part D covers vaccines not covered by Part B (medical), as long as the vaccine is reasonable and necessary to prevent illness. Some examples of Part D-covered vaccines include Zostavax (Shingles) vaccine, Tetanus vaccine, and MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine.

Does SummaCare offer a Medication Therapy Management?

If you’re in a Medicare drug plan and you have complex health needs, you may qualify to participate in a Medication Therapy Management Program, or MTM. MTM is a clinical program that provides education and information about your medications. It is designed to ensure that covered Part D drugs prescribed to targeted members are appropriately used to optimize therapeutic outcomes through improved medication use and to reduce the risk of adverse events, including adverse drug interactions. MTM is a service offered by SummaCare, through OutcomesMTM, at no additional cost to you! The MTM program is required by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

How will I determine my drug costs?

Our plan groups each medication into one of six “tiers.” You will need to use SummaCare’s Medicare formulary (list of covered drugs) to locate what tier your drug is in to determine how much it will cost you. The amount you pay depends on the drug’s tier and what stage of the benefit you have reached.

Enrollment

What is the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)?

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) begins October 15 and runs through December 7. During this time, you can select a plan for the next calendar year.

What is the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)?

Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) occurs when you are newly eligible for Medicare. During this time, you can sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan. This enrollment period is different for everyone and is dependent on your current situation. Call SummaCare today to discuss the many circumstances that might place you in your Initial Enrollment Period or a Special Enrollment Period.

What is the Open Enrollment Period (OEP)?

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP_ runs from January 1 to March 31 annually. This period allows people already in a Medicare Advantage Plan to make one change to their coverage, such as switching to a different Medicare Advantage Plan or dropping their Medicare Advantage Plan to return to Original Medicare.

Who is eligible to enroll in a SummaCare plan?

You can enroll if you are entitled to Medicare Part A and are enrolled in Medicare Part B. You must also reside in a county located within our service area.

Where are SummaCare Medicare Advantage plans available?

33 counties in Ohio: Ashland, Ashtabula, Auglaize, Allen, Carroll, Columbiana, Cuyahoga, Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Geauga, Hancock, Henry, Holmes, Huron, Lake, Lorain, Lucas, Mahoning, Medina, Mercer, Ottawa, Portage, Putnam, Sandusky, Seneca, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, Tuscarawas, Van Wert, Wayne and Wood

When can I apply for coverage?

If you are turning 65, you can apply for coverage beginning 3 months before your 65th birthday, the month of your 65th birthday and 3 months after your 65th birthday. If you are disabled, you can contact us for more information. You may also be eligible to apply if you meet criteria for a Special Enrollment Period for individuals who, for example, have recently moved to our service area or recently qualify for Medicare. If you have questions about the Special Enrollment Period, you can contact us for more information

What Is the Special Enrollment Period (SEP)?

During the Special Enrollment Period (SEP), you can make changes to your coverage if certain events happen in your life. For instance:

  • You moved outside the service area of your current plan
  • You lost your other insurance coverage
  • Your plan changes its contract with Medicare
  • You are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid
  • You are receiving the Low-Income Subsidy

 

How do I enroll in a SummaCare Medicare Advantage plan?

Call us at 330.996.8440 or (toll-free) 888.464.8440 (TTY 711), enroll online or mail us your paperwork.

How do I pay my SummaCare Medicare Advantage monthly plan premium?

  1. Premium withhold from your Social Security check: Your plan premium can be automatically deducted from your Social Security check each month – you don’t even have to worry about getting a bill.
  2. Direct Debit/Credit: Your plan premium can be automatically deducted from a checking or savings account or charged to a credit card each month. Again, you don’t have to worry about getting a bill.
  3. Online Bill Pay: You can pay your bill through our secure, online member portal, Plan Central.
  4. Phone or Mail: Pay your premium over the telephone through a SummaCare representative or mail us a check each month.

What happens after I enroll?

After you’ve enrolled in a SummaCare Medicare Advantage plan, here’s what you can expect:

  1. SummaCare will send you a letter confirming that your application was received.
  2. You will receive your SummaCare member ID card and Member Handbook in the mail.
  3. You will receive outstanding service all year! Contact us anytime with your questions. Plus, be sure to look for special announcements in the mail regarding exclusive member events and important plan information from SummaCare.
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