What are the eligibility requirements for Medicare Advantage plans?

The eligibility requirements for Medicare Advantage plans focus significantly on enrollment in Medicare Parts A and B and residence within the plan's service area. To be eligible for Medicare Advantage, individuals must first be enrolled in both Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Medicare Part B (medical insurance), which together form the foundational eligibility for these plans. Additionally, individuals must reside within the specific geographical area served by the Medicare Advantage plan they wish to enroll in. These criteria ensure that beneficiaries can access the plan’s services and meet the foundational requirements for coverage.

While age can be a factor, as many Medicare recipients are over 65, it is not strictly a requirement since individuals under 65 can also qualify for Medicare due to certain disabilities. Moreover, pre-existing conditions do not exclude individuals from obtaining Medicare Advantage coverage, as these plans cannot deny coverage based on an individual's health status. Lastly, the idea of applying within the first year of becoming eligible for Medicare does not align with the rules governing open enrollment periods and does not apply to all beneficiaries, which have options for enrollment throughout the year.

Thus, the correct focus for eligibility clearly revolves around enrollment in Parts A and B and residence in the service area, establishing the necessary framework for Medicare Advantage plan participation.