Medicare Advantage plans and people with disabilities
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Except for people with end-stage renal disease, if you are younger than 65 with Medicare, you have the right to join any Medicare Advantage plan that is accepting new members.
Medicare Advantage (MA) plans (which include HMOs, PPOs, Private-Fee-For Service plans, Special Needs Plans, and Medical Savings Accounts) are an alternative to traditional fee-for-service Medicare and Medigap coverage. Medicare sponsors MA plans as part of the Medicare program and pays the plans to manage beneficiaries’ health care. If you enroll in a managed care MA plan (such as an HMO or PPO), you must get your health services from network providers and pay co-payments at the time you receive care. PFFS and MSA plans don’t require you to use a network of providers, yet you should make sure your doctors and other health care providers accept the plan’s rules before you receive services.
MA plans must provide all Medicare-covered services. They may choose to offer additional benefits, such as hearing, dental and eye exams, and wellness services. Some Medicare Advantage plans also offer the new Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit (MA-PD plans), but others don't.
End-stage renal disease & Medicare Advantage Plans
If you have end-stage renal disease (ESRD), you cannot enroll in an MA plan. You may only enroll in Original Medicare. However, MA plans are required to provide services to members who develop ESRD while already enrolled. If an MA plan terminates its contract with Medicare, members of the MA plan who have ESRD may enroll in another MA plan, if one is available. If one is not available but becomes available later, a person with ESRD who previously lost their MA coverage can join that MA plan.