Medicare is a federal health insurance program designed for people who:
Medicare has different parts, and they cover specific health-related expenses:
Medicare Advantage Plans, sometimes called “Part C” or “MA Plans,” are an “all in one” alternative to Original Medicare. They are offered by private companies approved by Medicare. If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, you still have
Medicare
These “bundled” plans include:
Most Medicare Advantage Plans offer coverage for things original Medicare doesn’t cover, like certain vision, hearing, dental, and fitness programs (like gym memberships or discounts). Plans can also choose to cover even more benefits. For example, some plans may offer coverage for services like transportation to doctor visits, over-the-counter drugs, and services that promote your health and wellness. Plans may also customize their benefit packages with offerings to certain chronically-ill enrollees. These packages may provide benefits that are customized to treat specific conditions. We can discuss each plan before you enroll to see the benefits offered, if you qualify, and if there are any limitations.
Anyone with Part A or B is eligible for Part D. To receive this benefit, a person must enroll in a stand-alone Prescription Drug Plan (PDP). All plans must cover a wide range of prescription drugs that people with Medicare take, including most drugs in certain protected classes,” like drugs to treat cancer or HIV/AIDS. A plan’s list of covered drugs is called a “formulary,” and each plan has its own formulary. Many plans place drugs into different levels, referred to as “tiers,” on their formularies. Drugs in each tier will have a different cost. For example, a drug in a lower tier generally cost you less than a drug in a higher tier.
Medigap is Medicare Supplement Insurance that helps fill “gaps” in Original Medicare and is sold by private companies.
Original Medicare pays for much, but not all, of the cost for covered health care services and supplies. A Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy can help pay some of the remaining health care costs, like:
