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Patient Handouts

Patient Handout: Your Medicare Advantage Plan Explained

A 2-page Original Medicare vs Medicare Advantage chart: networks, referrals, prior authorization, which card to bring, when to change plans.

Why I made thisEvery fall, patients bring the wrong card or switch plans without knowing we're out of network. This is for them.

$5

Instant download · card or PayPal via Payhip · Download policy

Length
2 pages (front and back)
Format
US Letter. Color PDF, grayscale PDF for the office copier, and an editable Word .docx. One .zip download.
License
One clinic (all of its locations) can print unlimited copies for its own patients and edit the Word file for that use. Please don't resell, share or post the files.
This is also included in the Patient Handout Bundle, with the other 4 guides in the set.

What's inside

  • Side-by-side chart: Original Medicare vs Medicare Advantage
  • Networks, HMO and PPO, and when emergency and urgent care are covered
  • Referrals and prior authorization defined, with an "ask first" tip
  • Which card to bring, shown visually
  • Enrollment timeline: Open Enrollment (Oct 15 to Dec 7), MA Open Enrollment (Jan 1 to Mar 31), Special Enrollment
  • The Annual Notice of Change and free SHIP help
  • Large 14 pt+ text, high contrast, about a 6th-grade reading level
  • Sources cited on the page (Medicare.gov, CMS; checked October 2026)

Who it's for

  • Primary care and geriatric clinics with Medicare patients
  • Front desks and care coordinators who hand out or mail patient education
  • Clinics that want plain language: large 14 pt+ text, about a 6th-grade reading level

Files you'll download

  • medicare-advantage-explained-color.pdf (2 pages)
  • medicare-advantage-explained-print-grayscale.pdf
  • medicare-advantage-explained.docx
  • README-Start-Here.txt

Pairs well with

Instant downloadA .zip of PDFs and editable files, right after checkout.
Secure checkoutCard or PayPal through Payhip. I never see your card number.
Help by emailQuestions about a file? Email me.
No patient dataNothing here asks for PHI. Every example is made up.

Educational use only. Not legal, billing, coding or medical advice. Rules change and vary by MAC, state and payer, so confirm with the official sources (listed in the staff guides and Medicare kit). All examples are fictional. Not affiliated with or endorsed by CMS, HHS or any payer. Questions? Read the FAQ or email [email protected].