Medicare Coverage Choice :

by


There are Two Main Choices for How You Get Your Medicare

Follow These Steps to Help You Decide:

Decide if You Want Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage Plan
 
Original Medicare
 
Step – 1
Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance)
 

  • Medicare provides this coverage.
  • You have your choice of doctors, hospitals, and other providers.
  • Generally, you or your supplemental coverage pay deductibles and coinsurance.
  • You usually pay a monthly premium for Part B.

Step – 2
Decide If You Want Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D)

  • If you want this coverage, you must choose and join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
  • These plans are run by private companies approved by Medicare.

Step – 3
Decide If You Want Supplemental Coverage

  • You may want to get coverage that fills gaps in Original Medicare coverage. You can choose to buy a Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance) policy from a private company.
  • Costs vary by policy and company.
  • Employers/unions may offer similar coverage.

Medicare Advantage Plan (like and HMO or PPO)

Step -1
Part C – Includes BOTH Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance)

  • Private insurance companies approved by Medicare provide this coverage.
  • In most plans, you need to use plan doctors, hospitals, and other providers or you pay more or all of the costs.
  • You usually pay a monthly premium (in addition to your Part B premium) and a copayment or coinsurance for covered services.
  • Costs, extra coverage, and rules vary by plan.

Step – 2

Decide If You Want Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D)

  • If you want prescription drug coverage, and it’s offered by your plan, in most cases you must get it through your plan.
  • If your plan doesn’t offer drug coverage, you can choose and join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.

Continue Below

Note: If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, you don’t need a Medigap policy. If you already have a Medigap policy, you can’t use it to pay for out-of-pocket costs you have under the Medicare Advantage Plan. If you already have a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can’t be sold a Medigap policy.

  • In addition to Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage Plan, you may be able to join other types of Medicare health plans.
  • You may be able to save money or have other choices if you have limited income and resources.
  • You may also have other coverage, like employer or union, military, or Veterans’ benefits.