Medicare Overview

Medicare Benefits

Choosing A Medicare Plan

Enrollment

Medicare Eligibility

Medicare Costs

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Choosing a Medicare Plan

As a consumer who is eligible for Medicare, you may find it difficult selecting the appropriate Medicare coverage for you. Medicare can be challenging as you first have to choose whether to purchase your health insurance directly from the government (Original Medicare) or whether to purchase it from private health insurance companies (Medicare Advantage).

The table below demonstrates the options for each path:

Step 1: Decide if you want Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage

Original Medicare Medicare Advantage Plan (Medicare HMO, PPO or PFFS) 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 pay deductibles and coinsurance. • You usually pay a monthly premium for Part B. Medicare Advantage—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. • You usually pay a monthly premium (in addition to your Part B premium) and a copay for covered services. • Costs, extra coverage and rules vary by plan.

Step 2: Decide if you want Prescription Drug Coverage (Medicare 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. • If you want this coverage, in most cases you must get it through your Medicare Advantage plan. • Most Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage (Part D), usually for an extra cost. • If your Medicare Advantage plan of choice does not include prescription drug cover age, you may join a Prescription Drug plan separately.

Step 3: Decide if you want supplemental coverage

• 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. • If you want this coverage, in most cases you must get it through your Medicare Advantage plan. • Most Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage (Part D), usually for an extra cost. • If your Medicare Advantage plan of choice does not include prescription drug cover age, you may join a Prescription Drug plan separately.