Medicare 101

The Choice A and Choice B charts below show plans private health insurance companies sell. These plans add coverage to Original Medicare plans. 

The Choice A chart explains supplemental insurance, or Medigap plans, that can be added to Original Medicare. You can choose to add just Medigap, or you can add Medigap and Medicare Part D to your Original Medicare plan. Medigap plans help pay some of the costs that Original Medicare doesn’t cover. Medicare Part D plans help pay for prescription drugs.

The Choice B chart explains Medicare Advantage plans. Part C plans combine Parts A and B of Original Medicare. Part D plans often include prescription drug coverage. Medicare Advantage plans have other benefits not offered by Original Medicare.

The chart shows health care services covered by three types of plans:

• Medicare Advantage
• Medigap, or supplemental insurance
• Original Medicare

Medicare Advantage, Medigap and Original Medicare all pay for:

• Hospital stays
• Some medical care, like doctor visits
• Preventive services, like flu shots

Medicare Advantage and Medigap both limit your annual out-of-pocket costs. Original Medicare does not.

Medicare Advantage pays for some care that Medigap and Original Medicare do not, including:

• Prescription drugs
• Routine vision coverage
• Routine hearing exam and hearing aid coverage
• Routine dental coverage
• Transportation

Benefits do vary by plan with Medicare Advantage and Medigap. 

You don’t have to sign up for Medicare if you already have a health plan. But once you’re able to sign up for Medicare, it’s a good idea to compare your current health plan against a Medicare health plan.

Sometimes the costs are lower and coverage is the same. Sometimes Medicare might be better than your employer coverage, or your spouse’s employer coverage. It doesn’t matter if you are still working or aren’t receiving your Social Security income yet.

You have a “window” of time you can sign up for Medicare. It’s called your Initial Enrollment Period. It begins three months before your 65th birthday, includes your birthday month and ends three months after you turn 65. 

Medicare has identified certain physical or mental problems as disabilities. If you have one of these disabilities, you may qualify for Medicare before age 65. 

Your doctor and care team are here to help. We have several resources to help you make the best Medicare choice to take care of your health. 

Some health problems require special care and attention. You may qualify for Medicare Advantage plans that are designed to support certain chronic conditions or long-term medical problems.

The right health care team can improve your quality of life. We create a personalized plan to help you take care of your health. Think of it as an extra layer of support, encouragement and information.

Find out how we can help you.

Moving can affect your Medicare. In some cases you may be able to choose a new plan. This is called having a Medicare Special Enrollment Period. 

The types of moves included are:

• A move to an area that isn’t in your current Medicare Advantage plan’s service area
• A move within your current plan’s service area that opens up new plan choices
• A move back to the United States after living abroad
• A move into or out of a facility