FAQs

Answers to questions you may have.

Questions? UVM Health Advantage can help.

Terms

Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people who are 65 or older, certain younger people with disabilities, and people with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant, sometimes called ESRD).

Original Medicare refers to Medicare Part A and Part B. It is referred to as “original” Medicare because these were the only two parts of Medicare when the program started.

A Medicare Advantage health plan (or Part C plan) is an alternative to Medicare Parts A and B. These plans typically cover what Part A and Part B cover, as well as other benefits, such as prescription drugs, worldwide emergency room coverage, and more. See our plans.

Part D includes prescription drugs that are federally approved for Medicare beneficiaries. Part D drug coverage is offered by private companies. Plans can vary in cost and specific drugs covered. You may be eligible for help paying your Part D costs.

Enrolling

You can sign up for Medicare Part A and Part B anytime starting three months before your 65th birthday, up until three months after your 65th birthday. Once you’ve signed up for Medicare Part A and Part B, you can enroll in a UVM Health Advantage Medicare Advantage plan with Part D prescription drug coverage.

If you do not enroll when you become eligible, you may receive penalties.

You can sign up for Medicare Part A and Part B through the  Social Security Administration. If you would like to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, contact the provider of the plan(s) that interests you.

Enroll in Part A. It is available at no cost. You will not need to enroll in Part B at this time if the employer has more than 20 employees. You should ask your employer about health plans available to you.

You can choose to keep that plan but once you turn 65, you will lose any premium tax credits or other savings you currently receive.

No. Medicare is not offered on Federal or State Exchange/Marketplaces.

Open Enrollment

Yes. Every year, there is an Open Enrollment period when you can switch Medicare plans for the coming year. Open Enrollment is October 15 through December 7.

Open Enrollment is the period of time in which Medicare beneficiaries may change their Medicare coverage. It is the one period during the year, unless there is a qualifying event, when a change can be made.

You can change or switch your Medicare Advantage plan or Part D plan at other times if certain qualifying events have happened in your life, such as moving to a new area or losing your current coverage. Typically these Special Enrollment Periods last two months from the time of the event, but the rules and timeframes can be different, depending on your circumstance. Get more details.

No. If you are happy with your current plan you do not have to take any actions. However, new premiums or changes in your plan can occur, so it’s important to review the new information as soon as it is available to you.

No. Retiring from your job is considered a qualifying event which makes you eligible for a Special Enrollment period. You have up to two months after the “event” to enroll in Medicare. So it makes sense to prepare in advance by comparing plans before you retire.

Medicare Advantage Plans

You can compare UVM Health Advantage Medicare plans online. If you prefer to speak to someone in person you can call a a UVM Health Advantage Plan Guide at 1-833-368-4592 or schedule an appointment.

Everyone’s situation is different so it’s important to compare plans and their TOTAL costs (copays, prescriptions, etc.), not just premiums. We recommend contacting an a UVM Health Advantage Plan Guide or attending a seminar.

Get a personalized plan recommendation.

No. Your UVM Health Advantage Plan will provide your Medicare benefits to you. You will still need to maintain your Part A and Part B Medicare enrollment.

UVM Health Advantage plans offer a variety of affordable premiums. But it’s important to look at your total costs, which include deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.

UVM Health Advantage members have access to MVP’s network of over 23,000 doctors and hospitals in New York and Vermont – including access to all the providers of the UVM Health Network

Learn more about UVM Health Advantage Medicare plans:

Request a UVM Health Advantage Plan Benefit Kit!

Get benefit details, compare plans and more when you request your FREE Plan Benefit kit now.

Get the Kit

Meet With Us!

Our UVM Health Advantage Plan Guides will meet with you on your terms – in person, by phone or videoconference.

Schedule a Meeting
UVM Health Advantage Plan Guides

UVM Health Advantage Plan Guides are here to help.

Get expert guidance to help you understand your options, find the right plan and make sure your transition to your new plan goes smoothly with no disruption to your care.

1-833-368-45921-833-368-4592 (TTY 711)

October 1-March 31, seven days a week, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Eastern Time.
April 1-September 30, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

UVM Health Advantage plans are insured and
administered by MVP Health Care®.

MVP Health Care offers Medicare Advantage plans in the following counties: Vermont- Addison, Bennington, Caledonia, Chittenden, Essex, Franklin, Grand Isle, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, Rutland, Washington, Windham, and Windsor counties. New York - Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, and St. Lawrence counties.

MVP Health Plan, Inc. is an HMO-POS/PPO organization with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in MVP Health Plan depends on contract renewal. Out-of-network/non-contracted providers are under no obligation to treat MVP Health Plan members, except in emergency situations. Please call our customer service number or see your Evidence of Coverage for more information, including the cost-sharing that applies to out-of-network services. For accommodations of persons with special needs at meetings, call 1-800-324-3899 (TTY 711). Every year, Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system. Other physicians/providers are available in the MVP Health Care network.

MVP virtual care services through Gia are available at no cost-share for most members. In-person visits and referrals are subject to cost-share per plan.

SilverSneakers is a registered trademark of Tivity Health, Inc. SilverSneakers On-Demand is a trademark of Tivity Health, Inc. ©2024 Tivity Health, Inc. All rights reserved. GetSetUp is a third-party provider and is not owned or operated by Tivity Health, Inc. ("Tivity") or its affiliates. Users must have internet service to access online services. Internet service charges are responsibility of user.

All content ©2024 TruHearing, Inc. All Rights Reserved. TruHearing® and (RE)TM are trademarks of TruHearing, Inc. All other trademarks, product names, and company names are the property of their respective owners. Retail pricing based on prices for comparable aids. Follow-up provider visits incuded for one year following hearing aid purchase. Free battery offer is not applicable to the purchase of rechargable hearing aid models. Three-year warranty includes repairs and one-time loss and damage replacement. Hearing aid repairs and replacements are subject to provider and manufacturer fees. For questions regarding fees, contact a TruHearing hearing consultant.

MVP Health Care complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity).

ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1 844 946 8010 (TTY 711). 注意:如果您使用繁體中文,您可以免費獲得語言援助服務。請致電 1-844-946-8010 (TTY 711).

©2024 MVP Health Care

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Last updated: 9/1/2023