a medicare advantage plan is a healthcare option that falls under medicare. but instead of being managed by medicare, it's managed by a private insurance company like freedom health. what's great about freedom health's medicare advantage plans is they offer a lot of perks and benefits that you don't normally get with regular medicare such as: zero cost for primary care visits zero cost monthly plan premiums zero cost preventive services part b premium refund up to $80 back in your monthly social security check zero cost silversneakers? fitness membership and up to $50 monthly allowance for over the counter medicines and supplies shipped directly to you each month at no cost! there are many more benefits we're excited to share. if you're 65 or older, or younger with certain disabilities, you'll want to stay tuned. freedom health. one gentleman, mr. garcia, said his health improved dramatically after he joined. he is diabetic and qualifies for the special needs plan. freedom health even had special shoes made for him. he walks much better now and is more active.

medicare patients access healthcare that's designed specifically for them? choices. they can choose traditional medicare or they can choose a medicare advantage plan. at humana, we have medicare advantage plans that actually include value based providers like iora health and others, and we encourage people to look at those models as new and more progressive. frankly, we are all used to the one doctor, one nurse kind of office visit, but when you go in and have a team of people to help you navigate the complicated healthcare system that we have, we think that's a real advantage. and so at humana, we also have plans that have the zero dollar monthly premium, and this year we're offering a zero dollar pcp copays. so you can go see you primary care doctor without a copay. really, these are again fantastic benefits that are available to medicare patients that they may not know about. and they also need to know that time is of the essence; there is an enrollment period. right, there is an annual enrollment period that the government gives medicare advantage plans to sign folks u. and we actually are in that period right now, and it ends that's designed j

offer total coverage and extra care, which is where the medicare advantage plans come in, or part c plans, similar to the with united healthcare, medicare complete, we offer plans that are no cost to individuals to see a doctor, go to the hospital, no cost, as well as additional benefits like hearing and dental and vision. this year we're really excited that we've added a telemedicine, or virtual visit for folks who can't get out and see the doctor. they can on a smart phone or computer. just log in and talk to a healthcare partner or other doctor that's out there. >> that's really been a total game changer as far as being able to have that. your nephew or niece is there to let them know how to open that app. >> that's right. >> i showed my dad a picture of facebook yesterday. >> what kind of feedback have you been getting for those virtual -- >> the benefits start january 2017. >> it's something that has existed for people beyond medicare? >> correct. great feedback. we're excited to bring it into the medicare world this year. >> fantastic. if you have like strep throat or something like that, hey, turn on the light on your p

plan, they might actually get a better copayment. >> also doctors. and healthcare professionals you and plans themselves may enter the market or leave. >> correct. specifically to medicare advantage and prescription drug plans they can choose to opt out of a market and say hey we're not going to offer those plans anymore, in that area and people that are on those plans would essentially lose coverage in the next year if they don't make a change. >> why do you feel that in 2017 for this new year it is more important than ever before to be proactive and options available. >> this year more than any year in the last six years there is an influx of brand-new plans available in the area they are all competing with each other to really try and get a portion of the market share in this area. which is a really good thing. competition can be a great thing. and they are really coming out saying hey, we're really going to give it our best and see what we can do. and if people shop around, you know they might find that hey some of these new competitive plans might work really really money. part of that reason is why we have saved so many people so much money, and have exceeded over $50,000 i