INSURANCE INFORMATION

TRADITIONAL MEDICARE VS. MEDICARE ADVANTAGE

**NOTICE: THE INSURANCE YOU CHOOSE MAY NOT COVER YOUR EYE INJECTIONS**

To Our Valued Patients,

Each year, you can make changes to your traditional Medicare or Medicare Advantage Plan. This decision is especially important for those who are receiving eyesight saving treatments such as intraocular injections.

It is important to understand how your choice in health insurance plans affects your eye treatments. For instance, traditional Medicare covers intraocular injections with FDA approved drugs such as EYLEA and LUCENTIS. In most cases, Medicare Advantage Plans require the use of non-FDA approved drugs for use in the eye such as Avastin, which must fail before the insurance company will approve EYLEA or LUCENTIS for intraocular injections.

If you are considering switching insurance companies, we recommend traditional Medicare with supplemental insurance. Some great choices are:

We encourage you to do your research and choose the plan that best fits your overall healthcare needs, keeping in mind that the proper selection should include maintaining the choice to receive FDA approved drugs for your eye treatments.

Compare the coverage and costs available through a traditional Medicare program combined with an appropriate supplemental policy and prescription drug plan (Part D), versus the available Medicare Advantage Plans including any monthly premium, deductible, copayments, and yearly out-of-pocket maximum. If you choose a Medicare Advantage Plan, it is your responsibility to make sure we are on the provider list and that your injections are covered by your policy.

Please inform us of any insurance changes prior to your next scheduled appointment.

Sincerely,

Retina Associates of Greater Philadelphia, Ltd.