Final answer:
A consumer with original Medicare might consider a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan because it can offer additional services not covered by original Medicare, such as dental, vision, or prescription drugs. Additionally, MA plans often have an out-of-pocket maximum, providing a cost-effective alternative and financial protection against high medical expenses.
Step-by-step explanation:
A consumer with original Medicare might be interested in an MA plan (Medicare Advantage) for several reasons. The original Medicare plan, which began as part of the Social Security Act of 1965, provides health insurance for those 65 and older but traditionally did not cover certain services and procedures like dental care, eyeglasses, and certain prescriptions. Therefore, seniors could benefit from an MA plan because it may offer additional coverage for these services that are not provided by Original Medicare Plan A or Plan B.
Furthermore, with the introduction of the Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act of 2003, beneficiaries saw the addition of prescription drug benefits, which were previously lacking. For consumers who take several prescription drugs, the coverage of these medications can be crucial. An MA plan might include prescription drug coverage, reducing the need for beneficiaries to enroll in a separate Part D plan.
Costs can also be a factor; since original Medicare does not cover 100% of medical expenses, a Medicare Advantage plan may offer a more cost-effective solution. MA plans often provide an out-of-pocket maximum to protect consumers from excessive medical costs. Thus, a Medicare Advantage plan can offer greater peace of mind and predictability regarding healthcare expenses.
Also, consumers might choose an MA plan as it sometimes offers extra benefits like vision, hearing, and dental coverage, which are not typically included in original Medicare.