Freedom Health Insurance is a private health insurance company based in Florida that provides Medicare Advantage plans. The company was founded in 2008 and focuses on providing Medicare Advantage plans with extra benefits and services to seniors in Florida. Freedom Health Insurance aims to give members access to high-quality healthcare while keeping costs low.
In recent years, Freedom Health Insurance has grown significantly, now offering plans in 40 counties across Florida. The company has over 80,000 members enrolled in its Medicare Advantage plans. Freedom Health is also rated 4 out of 5 stars by Medicare and accredited by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).
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About Freedom Health Insurance
Freedom Health Insurance is a subsidiary of Optimum Healthcare. The company exclusively offers Medicare Advantage plans under the Optimum HealthCare brand name. Freedom Health Insurance provides two main types of Medicare Advantage plans:
- HMO plans: These are more restrictive network plans that usually have lower premiums but require members to see in-network providers.
- PPO plans: These plans offer more flexibility to see out-of-network providers, but premiums are generally higher.
All Freedom Health plans include all benefits covered by Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). Most plans also include prescription drug coverage (Part D).
In addition to standard Medicare benefits, Freedom Health plans often include extra benefits such as dental, vision, hearing, transportation to medical appointments, fitness programs, and an over-the-counter drug allowance. Most plans have $0 premiums or very low premiums.
Freedom Health has a network of doctors, hospitals, and healthcare providers located across Florida. However, provider networks can vary between plans. So it’s important to check if your preferred doctors are in-network before enrolling.
The company’s headquarters are located in Boca Raton, Florida. Freedom Health Insurance plans are available to Florida residents enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B and who live within the 40 counties the company services.
Pros and Cons of Freedom Health Insurance
Pros of Freedom Health Insurance
- $0 premium plans available
- No referrals required to see specialists for PPO plans
- Extra benefits included like dental, vision, hearing, transportation
- Large network of doctors and hospitals in Florida
- Highly rated by Medicare with 4 out of 5 stars
- Plans tailored for Florida with hurricane and travel benefits
Cons of Freedom Health Insurance
- Only available in 40 counties of Florida
- Provider networks can be restrictive for some HMO plans
- Mixed reviews from some members about customer service
- Pharmacy networks may change annually
- Small company compared to national Medicare providers
- Plans and Coverage Offered by Freedom Health Insurance
Freedom Health Insurance offers a range of Medicare Advantage plans in Florida, including HMO, PPO, and SNPs (Special Needs Plans). Most plans have similar coverage but vary in their provider networks, drug coverage, and extra benefits offered.
Some of the most popular plans from Freedom Health Insurance include:
- Freedom Blue PPO: This plan has a nationwide network allowing members to see any provider who accepts Medicare. It includes dental, vision, hearing benefits and up to $150/month for over-the-counter items.
- Freedom Total HMO: This $0 premium HMO plan includes dental, vision, transportation benefits and a fitness program membership. But it has a more restrictive network.
- Freedom Focus Rx HMO: Designed for those needing comprehensive prescription drug coverage. It offers $0 copays on Tiers 1 & 2 drugs and includes hearing and vision benefits.
- Freedom Value Rx: This is a $0 premium PPO plan with nationwide coverage. It covers prescription drugs and includes some extra benefits like transportation services.
In terms of costs, Freedom Health Insurance plans have varying premiums, deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket limits that members should factor in when choosing a plan. Typically PPO plans have higher premiums than HMO plans.
How to Apply for Freedom Health Insurance
Applying for a Freedom Health Insurance Medicare Advantage plan involves the following steps:
- Confirm eligibility: You must have Medicare Parts A and B and live within Freedom Health’s 40 service counties in Florida.
- Compare plans: Review plan details like premiums, drug coverage, networks, and extra benefits to choose the right one for your needs.
- Enroll: You can enroll directly through Freedom Health Insurance during Medicare’s Annual Election Period or Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period.
- Provide information: You’ll need to provide your Medicare ID card number and some basic personal details.
- Choose a primary doctor: Many HMO plans require you to select an in-network primary care physician.
- Pay premiums: Most Freedom Health plans have $0 premiums, but some do have monthly premium costs you’re responsible for paying.
You can enroll by phone, online, or by meeting with a licensed Freedom Health Insurance broker in your area. It’s also possible to enroll through the Medicare.gov Plan Finder tool.
Freedom Health Insurance Reviews and Customer Satisfaction
Freedom Health Insurance currently holds an overall 3 out of 5 star rating from Medicare. Here is an overview of Freedom Health reviews:
- Positive reviews: Many members are satisfied with the low costs, included benefits like dental/vision, and Freedom’s Florida provider network. The $0 premium plans are appreciated by those looking to reduce expenses.
- Negative reviews: Some complaints about Freedom Health include denial of claims, poor customer service, and lack of prescription or provider coverage in certain areas. The restrictive networks of HMO plans are also cited as a downside.
- Mixed reviews: Overall, Freedom Health gets average reviews. While some members are highly satisfied, others report issues with coverage, providers, or service. It depends on the individual plan and location.
When looking at third-party review sites like TrustPilot, Freedom Health Insurance has an average 3 out of 5 star rating based on 100+ member reviews. Satisfaction seems to vary greatly between different Freedom Health plans and geographic regions of Florida.
Freedom Health Insurance Alternatives
Some alternatives to consider for Florida Medicare Advantage plans include:
- Aetna Medicare: Offers PPO, HMO and SNP plans across Florida with a large doctor network.
- Florida Blue Medicare: Medicare plans from Florida’s Blue Cross Blue Shield provider with extensive coverage in the state.
- Humana: National insurance provider with many Medicare Advantage options and strong member satisfaction ratings in Florida.
- Devoted Health: 4.5 star rated Florida company with $0 premium Medicare Advantage plans including great extras.
- Cigna Medicare: Another national insurer with Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO plans available in populous areas of Florida.
It’s a good idea to compare benefits, costs, and networks against Freedom Health plans to find the right Medicare coverage for your situation. Consider your healthcare needs, budget, and provider preferences.
Conclusion
Freedom Health Insurance offers affordable Medicare Advantage plans focused on seniors in Florida. Their plans include extra benefits not covered by Original Medicare. While rated average by Medicare, Freedom Health gets mixed reviews from members. Satisfaction seems to depend on the specific plan chosen. Freedom Health Medicare plans can be a good option for Florida residents looking for low cost plans with dental, vision and other extras. But it’s important to make sure your doctors participate in the plan’s network before enrolling.