Five network questions to ask before choosing an Advantage plan in Indianapolis
The lowest premium means little if your cardiologist is out of network. These five questions protect your care before you sign.
Denise OkaforFounder and senior advisor. July 28, 2026, 6 min read
Central Indiana has dozens of Medicare Advantage plans, many with a $0 premium and generous extras. For most people the deciding factor is not the premium or the gym membership. It is whether the plan's network includes the doctors, hospitals and specialists they already trust. Ask these five questions before you enroll.
1. Is every one of my doctors in network for next year?
List your primary care doctor, every specialist you have seen in the past two years, and any therapist or clinic you visit regularly. Check each name in the plan's online directory, then confirm with the office. Ask for the exact plan name, because carriers often offer several networks under one brand.
In Marion County, it is common for a primary care practice to accept a carrier's PPO but not its HMO. The brand on the card is not enough.
2. Which hospital systems are included?
Indianapolis care is concentrated in a few large systems: IU Health, Community Health Network, Ascension St. Vincent, Franciscan Health and Eskenazi Health. Some Advantage networks include all of them. Others include only two or three.
Think about where an ambulance would take you from home, where your specialists admit patients, and whether you would want a second opinion at a specific center such as the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center.
3. Is it an HMO or a PPO, and what does that mean for referrals?
HMO plans generally require in-network care and referrals to see specialists. PPO plans cover out-of-network care at a higher cost and usually do not require referrals. If you see several specialists, the referral process on an HMO can add phone calls and delays, even when the doctors are in network.
4. What requires prior authorization?
Advantage plans can require approval before certain services. Ask the plan or your advisor about the services you expect to use:
- MRI and CT scans
- Planned surgeries and joint replacements
- Skilled nursing or inpatient rehabilitation after a hospital stay
- Home health services
- Specialty and brand-name drugs
5. What happens when I travel?
All Advantage plans cover emergency and urgent care anywhere in the United States. Routine care is a different story. If you spend winters in Florida or visit grandchildren out of state for weeks at a time, look for a PPO with national network access or a visitor program, or consider Original Medicare with a Supplement instead.
Putting the answers together
Once you know which plans pass the network test, compare the finalists on total yearly cost: premium, expected copays, your drug costs at your pharmacy and the out-of-pocket maximum. Then look at star ratings and extras last.
Our advisors check every provider on your list against every plan we offer before recommending one. If a doctor is not covered, we tell you before you enroll, not after your first bill.
This guide is general education, not individual advice. Figures are samples; confirm current amounts at Medicare.gov. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.
