How to Find Primary Care Doctors Who Accept Medicare Advantage

Many older adults have primary care physicians (PCPs) they have visited for regular and basic health care needs for years. These doctors are likely to closely know their patients and their needs.

When seniors reach 65, however, they often must search for primary care physicians that accept Medicare. If their own PCPs do not, they may be wondering how to change primary doctors on Medicare.

Whether you are the caregiver of an older adult or are facing Medicare questions yourself, we've collected a few tips to help you find the right medical professional for your needs. Reviewing doctors who accept Medicare Advantage plans may be part of that search. 

Medicare Advantage, also called Medicare Part C, is one way that older adults receive medical care. In this type of plan, health care is provided by private insurance companies and may include benefits beyond what basic Medicare Parts A and B provide. To make the best decisions for your loved one, explore information on how to find primary care physicians that accept Medicare Advantage in this helpful guide.

Medicare Advantage is available to people who qualify for Medicare Parts A and B. It provides the same insurance coverage as Parts A and B, namely hospital and medical coverage, but providers can also offer additional perks like vision and dental care. Medicare Advantage plans often include prescription medicine coverage through Medicare Part D as an integrated part of the plan.

Medicare Advantage is available to older individuals living in their homes, independent living residences, assisted living settings, and memory care facilities. Although Medicare does not cover facility costs, it may pay for some of the care costs associated with living in a nursing home or other living situation.

If you choose a Medicare Advantage plan over basic Medicare, you will pay a set amount monthly for your health insurance. Depending on the plan, you may need to search for primary care physicians that accept Medicare. Although your current PCP may fit that description, not all doctors will be a part of the plan's network of approved physicians and health care professionals. 

The use of networks allows health insurance providers to offer lower costs to people using Medicare Advantage than those on original Medicare, as physicians in the network agree to charge discounted prices. These discounts are passed on to clients through smaller copays and out-of-pocket spending limits each year.

If your loved one's current doctor is not part of the Medicare Advantage network, they will likely need to choose a new PCP. That can be a challenge, as there is currently a shortage of PCPs in the U.S., and it's expected to increase in the coming decades. The following section covers some tips for finding a capable, compassionate PCP for your loved one.

Your search for the best Medicare primary care physician may be short if you are happy with your current PCP and they are part of the network of your chosen Advantage plan. Ask your doctor if they are part of your new network. You may also be able to find this information on your Advantage plan insurer's website. 

If you can't stay with your current doctor due to your chosen Medicare Advantage plan, ask friends and family for recommendations. It may take a little time to find a doctor you feel comfortable with who provides high-quality service, but recommendations from people you trust allow you to build a list of trustworthy doctors.  You may also ask the health insurance agent offering the plan if they have recommendations. That agent needs the name of PCP before submitting enrollment, and may have seen the same physician crop up as other people applied for enrollment.

From here, find out if those doctors are in your network and accept new patients. Schedule an introductory visit to meet the doctor, get a sense of their manner, and ask any questions. If you don't feel like it's a good fit, move on to the next name on your list.

If you wish to choose a new PCP, review your plan carefully. Insurers may have customer service representatives who can guide you through the benefits offered by your Medicare plan and help you determine what choices you have and how to change your primary doctor on Medicare.

If you are concerned about paying for your coverage, you may want to research government sources of aid for seniors or find out if you qualify for Medicaid. Another option: VA benefits sometimes cover civilian PCPs.

Choosing the right doctor is important. You want to feel comfortable with this individual, who is likely to play an important part in your loved one's care. When you have found a physician in your network who is a likely choice, some further research may be necessary. A Google search can offer reviews of the doctor you're considering. 

Medicare's doctor search feature allows you to find in-network PCPs in your immediate area. You can also use CertificationMatters to search for doctors and check their credentials. You may also find certification and other information at the DocInfo website, which is sponsored by the Federation of State Medical Boards.

Lastly, call the office of the doctor you're considering. There are basic questions that they can answer for you, including which network they're in and whether they're accepting new patients. How the office staff answer the call can also give you an impression of the practice and whether they're efficient and friendly. You can also ask how long it takes to get in and see the doctor, if the office is easy to get to, and what the rescheduling policy and fee is.

Ensuring that you or your loved one has the right doctor to provide competent, compassionate care is an important part of the Medicare Advantage process. Although it can be a challenge to find the right PCP, it's worth doing a little background work to ensure that your pick will be there for medical support as long as needed. Talking to your current doctor, reviewing your plan, doing a quality check on new options, and engaging with new PCPs can all play a role in making sure you have a PCP you're comfortable with for long-term care.

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