Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C)
- Combine help with hospital costs (Part A), doctor visits (Part B),
and other medical services in one plan.
- Can also include prescription drug coverage (Part D), often with no added premium.
- May have no monthly premium, depending on the plan.
- Have appointed service areas and offer nationwide emergency coverage.
- Out-of-pocket limits: Some plans limit the amount you have to spend.
- Provide guaranteed renewable coverage, meaning the plan automatically renews or is guaranteed to continue from year to year as long as premiums are paid when due.
- Provide a 30-day “free look” evaluation period. Full refund of premiums if policy is returned within 30 days of policy issuance.
- Offer special extras such as pharmacy savings, vision & hearing discounts, and a 24-hour Nurse Hotline, depending on the plan.
Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D)
- Help with the cost of prescription drugs.
- They’re optional, and if you don’t sign up when you become eligible,
you may pay a higher premium.
- Some Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage.
- Plans offer different costs and different drug lists.
- Pharmacies: Some plans limit your choice by area. Some offer nationwide coverage. Some also offer mail order service.
- You get help paying the cost of a drug only if it’s covered by the plan. Most plans also have a coverage gap or “donut hole,” during which you have to pay most of the costs. Only 1 in 10 people reach the donut hole.
- Some plans have a deductible, some don’t. Some charge a copay. Others charge a percentage of the cost.
Medicare Supplement Plans (a.k.a. "MediGap")
- Help reduce or eliminate money paid out of pocket for care received
(such as deductibles, co-pays, and coinsurance).
- Give freedom to choose any doctor that accepts Medicare.
- Provide national coverage, so you can use benefits anywhere in the U.S.
And if you move, your coverage moves with you.
- Provide foreign travel coverage for emergency services, depending on the plan.
- Provide guaranteed renewable coverage, meaning the plan automatically renews or is guaranteed to continue from year to year as long as premiums are paid when due.
- Provide a 30-day “free look” evaluation period. Full refund of premiums if policy is returned within 30 days of policy issuance.
- Offer special extras such as pharmacy savings, vision discounts, and a 24-hour Nurse Hotline, depending on the plan.