Introduction To Medicare

Choosing Your Coverage

Your Basic Coverage Options

• Original Medicare
• Original Medicare + Part D Prescription Drug Coverage
• Original Medicare + Medigap Coverage
• Original Medicare + Part D Prescription Drug Coverage + Medigap
• Medicare Advantage Plan

Original Medicare

This option might be good for you if:

• You only want basic Medicare coverage.
• You want to be able to see any provider that accepts Medicare.

Keep in mind

• Original Medicare has coverage gaps — it only pays a portion of the costs for covered services.
• Prescription drug coverage is not included.
• There’s no limit on what you pay out-of-pocket for medical expenses each year.
• There are no extra benefits like dental, vision, hearing.
• You must pay a monthly premium for Part B coverage.

Original Medicare + Part D Prescription Drug Coverage

This option might be good for you if:

• You want prescription drug coverage to go with basic Medicare coverage.
• You want to be able to see any provider that accepts Medicare.

Keep in mind

• Original Medicare has coverage gaps — it only pays a portion of the costs for covered services.
• There’s no limit on what you pay out-of-pocket for medical expenses each year.
• There are no extra benefits like dental, vision, hearing and wellness.
• You will pay a separate premium to a private insurance company for your Part D coverage.

Original Medicare + Medigap Coverage

This option might be good for you if:

• You want coverage to help fill the gaps in Original Medicare.
• You want to be able to see any provider that accepts Medicare.

Keep in mind

• Prescription drug coverage is not included.
• Depending on the Medigap plan, there may or may not be a limit on what you pay out-of-pocket for medical expenses each year.
• There are no extra benefits like dental, vision, hearing and wellness.
• You will pay a separate premium to a private insurance company for your Medigap coverage.

Original Medicare + Medigap + Part D Prescription Drug Coverage

This option might be good for you if:

• You want supplemental coverage that helps fill the gaps in Original Medicare.
• You want coverage for your prescription drugs.
• You want to be able to see any provider that accepts Medicare.

Keep in mind

• Depending on the Medigap plan, there may or may not be a limit on what you pay out-of-pocket for medical expenses each year.
• There are no extra benefits like dental, vision, hearing and wellness.
• You will pay separate private insurance plan premiums for both your Medigap and Part D coverage.

Medicare Advantage

This option might be good for you if:

• You want to receive Part A hospital, Part B medical and often Part D prescription drug coverage together in one plan.
• You want predictable costs and a firm limit on what you pay out-of-pocket for medical expenses each year.
• You value coverage that typically includes extra benefits.

Keep in mind

• Medicare Advantage plans typically come with a network contracted providers.
• Some plans may give you the ability to use out-of-network providers at low or no extra cost.
• You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium.
• Depending on the plan, you may pay a separate premium to a private insurance company.

Can I change my coverage?