Medicare Frequently Asked Questions

Medicare Advantage Plans are health plan options that are part of the Medicare program. If you join one of these plans, you generally get all your Medicare-covered healthcare through that plan. This coverage can include prescription drug coverage.

You can generally join a Medicare Advantage Plan if you meet these conditions:

• You have Part A and Part B
• You live in the service area of the Plan

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

If you want prescription drug coverage you should enroll in a plan that offers Part D coverage. In most Medicare Advantage Plans, if you want drug coverage, and your plan offers it, you must get it from your Medicare Advantage Plan.

Sentara Medicare plans offer extra benefits such as dental, vision, and hearing allowances, over-the-counter product allowance, transportation, and SilverSneakers®.

There are specific times you can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage plan.

• Medicare Advantage open enrollment period (OEP)
• Initial coverage election period (ICEP) 
• Initial enrollment period for Part D (ICEP for Part D)
• Annual Election period (AEP)
• Other election periods

For detailed information on each of these enrollment periods, please go to Medicare enrollment periods. 

Yes, but only during certain times of the year (see the question above for details).

Yes, most Sentara Medicare plans have prescription drug coverage.

Yes. The Sentara Medicare plans require selection of a PCP.

Sentara Medicare members are covered through a network of locally contracted doctors and hospitals. Members need to select a PCP from the plan’s network of providers to provide their routine care and help coordinate their care from other network providers.

No. A referral is not required to see a specialist.