Types of Health Plans
Commercial Insurance. Many private companies offer plans that can be purchased individually or as part of a group (employer, affinity group, etc.) Willis-Knighton accepts most of the major commercial insurance plans.
Medicare is a plan administered by the federal government. It offers medical coverage for people who are 65 and older, for younger people with disabilities and for people with end-stage renal disease. In addition, many commercial companies offer specialized Medicare plans and supplement plans. Plans such as Medicare Advantage seek to move people with traditional Medicare to plans that cost less for the patient but are also less expensive for the insurance company since they may cover less of the expenses for a hospital stay or treatment for a health issue.
Medicare Advantage plans require you to use only the hospitals and doctors in the plan’s network for non-emergency or non-urgent care. Ask your doctor if he/she participates in a plan before you choose it. You may need to get a referral to see a specialist. In some cases, you have to get a service or supply approved ahead of time for it to be covered by the plan. You can’t buy or use separate supplemental coverage.
Medicare Supplement plans are private health insurance plans designed to help cover the portion of a your bill that is not covered by traditional Medicare. Medicare pays what it covers, the supplement pays what it covers and you owe the rest. This lowers your out-of-pocket expense. Supplements cover things such as co-payments, co-insurance, deductibles. They don’t cover things like glasses, hearing aids, dental care, nursing home care or private nursing.
Medicaid provides health coverage to Americans, including eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults and people with disabilities. Medicaid is administered by individual states, according to federal requirements. In Louisiana, several private companies administer the plans for residents of the state and these plans may vary as to what they offer or cover.
As a not-for-profit community healthcare organization, Willis-Knighton accepts commercial insurance as well as the traditional Medicare and Medicaid plans.