What's an underrated benefit of Original Medicare that many people overlook?
Answered by 15 licensed agents
The most underrated benefit of Original Medicare is freedom of choice. With Original Medicare you can see any provider as long as they take Medicare. no referrals are needed and it travels well. The coverage is Nation wide.
An underrated benefit of Original Medicare is the flexibility to see any doctor or specialist in the U.S. who accepts Medicare, without needing referrals or staying in a network. This level of access is especially valuable for snowbirds, frequent travelers, or anyone wanting care at top hospitals across the country. But what many people overlook is that while the access is great, Original Medicare only covers 80% of approved services, and there's no cap on what you pay out of pocket. That means you're potentially responsible for an unlimited 20% of the costs unless you add a Supplement (Medigap) plan. For people who want both freedom and predictable costs, pairing Original Medicare with a Supplement can be a smart move. It’s not ideal for everyone, but for those who value nationwide access and lower financial risk, it’s definitely worth considering.
Original Medicare isn’t really subject to networking questions or issues like some other insurances are. There’s not really any restrictions in that sense. It’s easy to travel with in the US, it’s portable from one location to another.
The ability to go anywhere that Medicare is accepted is a huge benefit of original Medicare. Another underrated benefit is that if you have worked for more than 40 Quarters then Medicare part A is premium free.
No network on Medicare you can see any healthcare provider as long as they accept Medicare. With an Advantage Plan you have a network of doctors. If you have an HMO, you can only see the Doctors on the Plan or you pay then entire bill.
The rehabilitation/skilled nursing benefit. On Original Medicare, you can choose your rehab center (which is highly preferable to being told by an Advantage Plan which facilities are in-network). Additionally, Original Medicare will pay all costs for the first 100 days, which is far better than Advantage plans which typically only pay for the first 20 days and then charge a copay of over $200/day.
Probably the most underrated benefit of Medicare is the Annual Wellness Visit which can also include "end-of-life" care planning and assistance in completing the Advanced Directive
Freedom to see any doctor or hospital in the U.S. that accepts Medicare — no networks, no referrals. That kind of flexibility is easy to take for granted until you really need it.
It's freedom to choose your health care providers without a referral or prior authorization for procedures, exams, etc, as long as they accept Medicare and the medical needs are covered by the Original Medicare.
An underrated benefit of Original Medicare is the flexibility to see any doctor that accepts Medicare. This gives you the freedom to see any doctor or specialist that participates with Medicare. This could be different if you are enrolled in a Medicare advantage plan however, so it is important that you work with a licensed Medicare agent to understand your options.
