Medicare Plans: What's the Difference?
Popular Medicare Plans like Advantage Plans and Supplement Plans are designed to give customers a tailored solution for their healthcare needs. Talking to one of our licensed agents gives you the peace of mind in knowing that you made the right choice.
This section of our Medicare insurance agency website is dedicated to providing information about the different types of Medicare plans available and how we can help seniors understand the often confusing process of selecting the right plan for their needs.
We will provide a brief overview of the various types of Medicare plans, including Original Medicare (Parts A and B), Medicare Advantage (Part C), and Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans. We will explain the benefits and drawbacks of each plan type and highlight the factors that seniors should consider when choosing a plan, such as their healthcare needs, budget, and preferred providers.
Our agency is committed to helping seniors find the best Medicare plan for their unique situation. We will explain the enrollment process and help seniors understand their coverage options. Our experienced agents can answer any questions seniors may have and help them compare plans to find the one that best meets their needs. We are dedicated to making the Medicare enrollment process as easy and stress-free as possible for our clients.
Original Medicare (A & B)
Original Medicare is the federal health insurance program that provides coverage for hospital stays (Part A) and medical services (Part B) for eligible individuals aged 65 and over, as well as those under 65 with certain disabilities.
Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and some home health care. Part B covers medically necessary doctor services, outpatient care, preventive services, and durable medical equipment.
Original Medicare is administered by the federal government, and beneficiaries can see any healthcare provider that accepts Medicare. However, Original Medicare does not cover all healthcare services, and beneficiaries may need to pay out-of-pocket costs, such as deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. Our insurance agency can help beneficiaries understand their options for additional coverage, such as Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans.
Medicare Supplement (Medigap)
A Medicare Supplement, or Medigap, plan is a type of private insurance policy that helps pay for some of the out-of-pocket costs associated with Original Medicare, such as deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. Medicare Supplement plans are sold by private insurance companies and work alongside Original Medicare, filling in the gaps in coverage left by Parts A and B.
Once enrolled in a Medicare Supplement plan, the plan will pay its share of the Medicare-approved costs for covered services. The amount that a Medicare Supplement plan pays will depend on the specific plan and the costs associated with the service. Unlike Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare Supplement plans do not include prescription drug coverage, so beneficiaries must also enroll in a separate Part D plan if they want drug coverage.
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
A Medicare Advantage, or Part C, plan is an all-in-one alternative to Original Medicare that is offered by private insurance companies. Medicare Advantage plans must provide all of the same benefits as Original Medicare, but may also offer additional benefits such as vision, dental, and hearing coverage.
Once enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, beneficiaries receive their Medicare benefits through the plan rather than through Original Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans typically have lower out-of-pocket costs than Original Medicare, but may have more restrictions on which doctors and hospitals beneficiaries can see. Some Medicare Advantage plans also include prescription drug coverage (Part D), so beneficiaries do not need to enroll in a separate Part D plan.
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