What Should Primary Care Patients Know About Quartz Medicare Advantage?

Key Takeaways

• Quartz Medicare Advantage plans are regional HMOs that require using in-network providers; verify your doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies are included before enrolling, as this is the most critical enrollment decision.
• A $0 monthly premium does not mean free care—you must still pay Medicare Part B premiums, and copays and deductibles apply to non-preventive services.
• Quartz plans offer $0 copays for covered preventive services including cancer screenings, immunizations, and an annual wellness visit (once every 12 months for eligible members), but cost-sharing applies when visits address existing conditions.
• Extra benefits like dental coverage (up to $1,000 annually), virtual care, and condition-specific support programs vary by plan and location; verify each benefit in the Summary of Benefits before relying on it.
• Before enrolling, compare service area availability, network participation, drug coverage, and out-of-pocket maximums using official plan documents rather than summaries, as details change yearly.
• Enrollment windows are limited to fall annual enrollment periods or initial eligibility periods; confirm exact dates through Medicare.gov or a licensed advisor to avoid missing deadlines.

Choosing a Medicare Advantage plan is one of the biggest health decisions many adults make each year. For patients who care about prevention and wellness, the choice goes beyond monthly premiums. It shapes which doctors you can see, how often you can get screenings, and what extra support you receive. Quartz Medicare Advantage is one option that draws attention in 2026, especially for its focus on preventive care and coordinated services.

This guide explains what Quartz Medicare Advantage is, how its plans work, and what to check before you enroll. It also covers how primary care fits into the picture. Whether you are new to Medicare or comparing plans, you will find clear steps to help you decide. At InCare, we believe that informed patients make better health choices. Use this article as a starting point, then confirm every detail in your plan documents.

What Is Quartz Medicare Advantage?

Quartz Medicare Advantage refers to Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans offered by Quartz Health Plan. These plans are often built in partnership with regional health systems, such as UW Health or Emplify Health by Gundersen. Plan availability, benefits, and costs vary by service area.

A Medicare Advantage plan replaces Original Medicare for your day-to-day coverage. It must cover everything Original Medicare covers. Many plans add extra benefits, such as dental, vision, or wellness programs. Quartz describes its Medicare Advantage plans as HMO plans, which means a network of providers shapes your care.

Quartz plans are regional. This is important for readers in Florida and other states outside the listed service area. Before you plan around any Quartz option, confirm that it is sold where you live. Your local Medicare resources and the plan's service area list can answer this quickly.

How Do Quartz Medicare Advantage Plans Work?

Because Quartz plans are HMOs, you generally use in-network doctors, clinics, and hospitals. Emergency and urgent care are the main exceptions. Going out of network for routine care can lead to higher costs or no coverage at all.

For 2026, Quartz lists six plan options for its Gundersen offering. Some of these plans are advertised with a $0 monthly plan premium. That sounds simple, but you should keep one fact in mind. You must still pay the Medicare Part B premium. A $0 plan premium does not mean all care is free.

Here is a quick look at the main features Quartz advertises across its 2026 Gundersen plans:

• $0 copays for covered preventive services
• An initial routine eye exam
• Care-management support
• Diabetes prevention and support programs
• Mental well-being programs
• A nourishing-meal program
• Virtual care, including video visits

Eligibility rules, limits, and availability depend on the exact plan. Always read the Summary of Benefits and the Evidence of Coverage for the plan you are considering.

What Preventive Care Does Quartz Medicare Advantage Cover?

Prevention is a core strength of Medicare Advantage plans, and Quartz materials highlight it. Covered preventive services listed in plan documents include cancer screenings, cardiovascular and diabetes screening, obesity counseling, and immunizations. New enrollees may also receive the one-time Welcome to Medicare visit.

The Annual Wellness Visit

Quartz's 2026 Evidence of Coverage says eligible members can receive an annual wellness visit once every 12 months. You must have had Medicare Part B for more than 12 months. The visit has no copayment, coinsurance, or deductible.

This visit helps you and your doctor build a personalized prevention plan. It is not the same as a routine physical. The 2026 Summary of Benefits lists one annual wellness visit and one annual routine physical as separate preventive-care benefits. Cost sharing for each can differ, so check your plan's terms.

Want a closer look at what happens at these appointments? Read what happens during an annual wellness visit and what happens during an annual physical exam.

When Costs Can Still Apply

Preventive services are free of cost sharing, but problem-focused care is not always. If your visit also includes evaluation or treatment of an existing condition, cost sharing may apply to that added care. Ask your doctor's office how a visit will be billed before you go.

Preventive Service Snapshot

What Extra Benefits Do Quartz Plans Offer?

Medicare Advantage plans can include benefits that Original Medicare does not. Quartz materials describe several of these, though they differ from plan to plan.

• Dental coverage: Quartz describes dental coverage through Delta Dental. The 2026 Evidence of Coverage for one referenced plan lists a $1,000 annual combined maximum for specified preventive dental services. Dental allowances vary by plan.
• Travel coverage: Member materials describe coverage at in-network costs for up to six months per year outside the listed service-area states, subject to plan rules.
• Virtual care: Video visits and MyChart options are described through Emplify Health by Gundersen.
• Condition-specific services: Some plans include extra support for certain conditions.

These extras can add real value. Still, they only help if you can actually use them where you live. Verify each benefit in the Summary of Benefits before you count on it.

How Do You Know If Your Doctor Is in Network?

This may be the most important step. A plan with great benefits is a poor fit if your trusted doctor is not in its network. Quartz notes that its plans give access to Emplify Health by Gundersen clinicians and hospitals, plus other providers in the Quartz Medicare Advantage network.

Follow these steps to check your coverage:

1. Write down your primary care doctor, key specialists, and preferred hospital.
2. Open the plan's current provider directory and search for each name.
3. Confirm that your pharmacy is in the plan's pharmacy directory.
4. Call the doctor's office and ask if they accept the exact plan name and number.
5. Ask whether you need a referral for any specialist you see.
6. Save the answers in writing before you enroll.

Directories change, so check the most recent version. If you need help finding a provider who is accepting patients, see how to find doctors accepting new patients near you.

Why Does Primary Care Matter Under an HMO?

In an HMO, your primary care physician often acts as the center of your care. This person knows your history, coordinates referrals, and tracks your screenings. Good primary care can catch problems early and keep chronic conditions steady. It can also reduce surprise costs, because your care stays inside the network.

Patients who build a lasting relationship with one clinic usually have an easier time. They get reminders for screenings, help managing medicines, and a place to call with questions. You can learn more about this role in what a primary care physician does for your health. For a broader look at coordination, read fragmented care vs. coordinated care.

How Do You Compare Quartz Plans With Other Options?

No plan fits everyone. Use a simple checklist to compare any Medicare Advantage plan, including Quartz, against your own needs. Focus on these areas:

• Service area: Is the plan offered where you live?
• Network: Are your doctors, hospital, and pharmacy included?
• Costs: Review premiums, copays, deductibles, and the out-of-pocket maximum.
• Drug coverage: Check that your medicines are on the plan's drug list.
• Extras: Look at dental, vision, hearing, and wellness benefits.
• Access: Consider virtual care and travel rules.

Review the 2026 premiums, copays, and out-of-pocket maximums in the official documents rather than relying on summaries. Plan details can change each year. Our guide on Medicare Advantage plans for primary care patients walks through more of these questions.

When Can You Enroll or Change Plans?

Medicare has set enrollment windows, and missing them can limit your choices. In general, you can join or switch during the annual enrollment period each fall. New Medicare beneficiaries also have an initial enrollment window around their eligibility date. Some life events, such as moving, may open a special window.

Because rules and dates can shift, confirm timing on the official Medicare website or with a licensed advisor. Do this before you commit to any plan.

How Can InCare Support Your Wellness Goals?

Insurance is only one part of staying healthy. You also need a clinic that listens, uses modern tools, and focuses on prevention. InCare is a personalized primary care and wellness clinic with locations in Tampa and Riverview, Florida. Our team combines medical expertise with advanced technology for whole-body care.

We offer primary care, urgent care, cancer screening, weight loss programs, DNA gene testing, and IV hydration therapy. Our patients rate us 4.8 out of 5 on Google across 359 reviews. See what they say when you visit us on Google — InCare.

Insurance acceptance varies by plan, so contact our office to confirm coverage before your visit. Our team can help you understand what to ask your plan. You can also meet our care team on the providers page or explore our locations in Tampa and Riverview.

Follow InCare for health tips on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

Key Takeaways Before You Decide

Quartz Medicare Advantage offers HMO plans with a strong preventive focus, including no-cost preventive services and an annual wellness visit for eligible members. Extra benefits such as dental, virtual care, and care management can add value on some plans. Yet these plans are regional, so service area and network come first.

Remember that a $0 plan premium still requires you to pay the Part B premium. Verify costs, drug coverage, and provider participation in the current Summary of Benefits, Evidence of Coverage, and directories. Then choose the plan that fits your health goals and your trusted care team.

Ready to build a prevention-first relationship with a clinic that puts you first? Book your appointment with InCare today, or contact our team with questions about our services.

FAQs

Q: What is Quartz Medicare Advantage, and which health systems are associated with its plans?

A: Quartz Medicare Advantage refers to Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans offered by Quartz Health Plan. These plans are often built with regional health systems such as UW Health or Emplify Health by Gundersen. Availability and benefits vary by service area and plan.

Q: Does a $0 monthly premium mean my care is free?

A: No. Some Quartz plans advertise a $0 monthly plan premium, but members must still pay the Medicare Part B premium. Copays, deductibles, and other cost sharing may also apply, so review the Summary of Benefits.

Q: Do Quartz Medicare Advantage plans cover the annual wellness visit?

A: Quartz's 2026 Evidence of Coverage states that eligible members can receive an annual wellness visit once every 12 months at no copayment, coinsurance, or deductible. Members must have had Part B for more than 12 months. This visit differs from a routine physical, which may have separate terms.

Q: Do I need to use in-network doctors with Quartz Medicare Advantage?

A: Yes, in most cases. Quartz describes its plans as HMOs, so members generally need to use in-network providers except for emergency or urgent care. Check the current provider directory to confirm your doctors and hospitals participate.

Q: When can I enroll in or change a Quartz Medicare Advantage plan?

A: Most people can join or switch during the annual enrollment period each fall, or during their initial enrollment window when first eligible. Special enrollment periods may apply after life events such as moving. Confirm exact dates through official Medicare resources or a licensed advisor.

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