Topic
Keeping your doctors
“We take Medicare” usually means Original Medicare. A Medicare Advantage plan can use a different list. Write down the doctor, the medical group, and the hospital, then ask the office.
Read these together
- 1Can I keep my doctor with Medicare?The order of the check: the office first, then the same names on Medicare.gov.
- 2Medicare HMO vs PPOReferrals and out-of-network care. A PPO is not the same as Original Medicare.
- 3Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage?How doctor access works in each structure. Neither is automatically better.
- 4Delegated and non-delegated medical groupsWho usually handles referrals and prior approval. Neither arrangement is automatically better.
- 5Medical groups in a Los Angeles ZIPNames seen in a ZIP are a list for the front desk, not a plan network.
- 6Medicare Advantage in Los Angeles CountyPlan lists follow ZIP code. The complete list is on Medicare.gov.
- 7Los Angeles County Medicare guideWhy the hospital across town can be a different contract from the doctor down the street.
Tools for this question
- Questions to ask the doctor’s officeThe words to use so the office checks the plan, not only the carrier.
- Which plans include this doctor?A limited public-directory check. Confirm it with the office.
- Medical groups in a ZIPGroups observed in a ZIP. A group is not a plan.
Common questions
- Does accepting Medicare mean my doctor takes every plan?
- No. Accepting Medicare usually means Original Medicare. Medicare Advantage participation is by plan, doctor, medical group, and sometimes by location.
- How do I verify a doctor?
- Write down the doctor, the medical group or IPA, and the hospital. Ask the office which plans they take this year. Then look up those same names on Medicare.gov.
- Is a PPO the same as keeping any doctor?
- No. A PPO may pay some out-of-network care and still leave you with a higher bill. Original Medicare with a Supplement is a different structure.
Start a checkup with the doctors you want to keep