Introduction
Medicare Advantage plans are an option for people 65 and older who qualify for Medicare. These plans are managed by private insurance companies, and they have different benefits from traditional Medicare. Medigap is a type of supplement plan that covers some expenses that Traditional Medicare doesn't cover—like copayments and coinsurance. If you have Original Medicare (Part A and B) but not Part D prescription drug coverage, you might want to consider a Medigap supplemental insurance policy as an alternative way to pay for your monthly prescriptions.
Medicare Advantage plans often have low monthly premiums and cost-sharing features like co-payments and coinsurance.
Medicare Advantage plans often have low monthly premiums and cost-sharing features like copayments and coinsurance.
Most Medicare Advantage plans charge you a copayment, which is an amount you pay when you receive a service. Some plans may also require coinsurance, where your share of the costs is based on a percentage of the total expense incurred by your plan.
You may pay less for out-of-pocket costs with a Medicare Advantage plan than you would under traditional Medicare.
You may pay less for out-of-pocket costs with a Medicare Advantage plan than you would under traditional Medicare.
Medicare Advantage plans are designed to meet your health care needs, so there's no need to pay extra costs like copayments and coinsurance. If you want to see a specialist or get an important test, you'll have coverage from one primary care doctor who coordinates all of your care. With the exception of hospice care, most services are covered by Medicare Advantage plans (though some might require prior authorization).
Medigap and Medicare Supplement plans are good options if you want to keep your copays and prescription drug costs low.
The Medigap and Medicare Supplement plans are good options if you want to keep your copays and prescription drug costs low.
Medicare Advantage Plans have their own separate Part C plan that you can enroll in. These plans can also be combined with Part D, which is the prescription drug coverage component of Medicare.
If you want drug coverage, you'll need a separate Part D plan or a Medicare Advantage plan that offers drug coverage in addition to the hospital and medical benefits available under Part A and B.
There are two ways to get drug coverage through Medicare:
You can enroll in a stand-alone Part D plan, which is administered by private insurance companies. The premiums and co-payments for these plans vary widely from one insurer to another and from year to year.
You can also choose to combine your drug coverage with other medical benefits by enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan that offers both hospital and medical services and prescription drug coverage. These plans require you to pay an additional premium above what you already pay for your Part A and Part B coverage. The amount of this premium differs depending on which plan you choose, but it's typically quite reasonable compared with the cost of obtaining prescription drugs through a stand-alone Part D plan.
If you don't want any out-of-pocket expenses, be sure that whichever plan you sign up for offers no deductible (also called an "excess charge"). If it does have one or more deductibles, ask yourself how much money they'll save me over what I'd spend paying them off individually on my own."
If your health status changes, you can switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan during open enrollment in January.
To sign up, you must go through a Medicare Advantage plan's website or call the plan directly. You can apply for a Part D drug plan and/or a Medigap supplemental insurance policy at the same time.
Learn more by visiting https://www.medicare.gov/
You can still enroll in a Part D plan even if you have a Medicare Advantage plan. However, it's not necessary, because most Medicare Advantage plans offer prescription drug coverage as part of their benefits package.
You can still enroll in a Part D plan even if you have a Medicare Advantage plan. However, it's not necessary, because most Medicare Advantage plans offer prescription drug coverage as part of their benefits package.
You may be eligible for both a Medicare Advantage and Part D plan simultaneously. If so, your plan will provide a discount on brand-name drugs that are covered by both the MA and Part D plans. You'll also get information about any cost-sharing you'll pay when you fill prescriptions with your MA provider or pharmacy benefit manager (PBM).
Medigap is a good option if you want to keep your costs low while maintaining your independence.
Medigap is a good option if you want to keep your costs low while maintaining your independence. With traditional Medicare, you pay copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance for care. Medigap reimburses you for those expenses up to the plan’s limits.
Medigap plans also cover additional services such as hearing aids, most eyeglasses (frames excluded), podiatry services, and other home healthcare services not covered by Original Medicare.
Conclusion
For most people, Medicare Advantage plans are a good option to consider when choosing between traditional Medicare and Medigap coverage. If you want prescription drug coverage as well as hospital and medical benefits, then you'll need a separate Part D plan or a Medicare Advantage plan that offers drug coverage in addition to the hospital and medical benefits available under Part A and Part B. If your health status changes, you can switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan during open enrollment in January. You can still enroll in a Part D plan even if you have a Medicare Advantage plan; however, it's not necessary because most Medicare Advantage plans offer prescription drug coverage as part of their benefits package.
Medicare is a federal program that provides healthcare coverage to individuals 65 years or older. Original Medicare coverage is broken into two parts - Part A and Part B - and is accepted by nearly every doctor and hospital in the country. Medicare Part A covers inpatient or hospital stays, while Part B covers outpatient or medical care. Parts A and B cover about 80% of the typical healthcare costs seniors face. This leaves a few significant gaps in coverage. Medicare Supplement (Medigap) and Medicare Advantage plans are policies designed to help extend coverage, lessen costs and ultimately give beneficiaries peace of mind. If you or someone you know would like more information about how to enroll in Original Medicare or one of the Medicare Advantage plans, call now to speak with a licensed agent (208) 818 2523. We cannot wait to help you learn about your options.
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