Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplements:

Original Medicare (Parts A&B) is provided by the federal government. It helps pay for hospital stays and physician visits, but it doesn’t cover everything. You may add coverage by enrolling in one or more private Medicare or Medicare-related plans or add a stand-alone Part D (Drug) plan. Answering a few simple questions can help you feel more confident choosing a plan.

• 1-Generally, how often do you visit the doctor?


• 2- What medications do you take and how often?


• 3- Are there any major or chronic health conditions that you need special care for?


• 4- In the last 12 months how much was your out-of-pocket healthcare and drug costs?


• 5- How important is Dental/Vision/Hearing services?


• 6- Do you need help paying for Medicare?


• 7- Do you qualify for Medicaid?

Medigap (Supplement) Plans:

Medigap Plans (Supplement) help pay some of the out-of-pocket costs not covered by Parts A&B. All Medigap plans include full or partial coverage for

• 1- Hospital Coinsurance (Part A)


• 2- Part B coinsurance or copays


• 3- Cost of blood transfusions


• 4- Costs for 365 extra hospital days


• 5- Hospice care coinsurance

Some may also help pay for

• 1- Part A and/or Part B deductible


• 2- Cost of foreign travel emergency care


• 3- Part B excess charges


• 4- Skilled Nursing facility care coinsurance


• 5- Helps reduce or eliminate money paid out of pocket for care received such as deductibles, coinsurance or co-payments.


• 6- Plans are offered through Private Insurance Companies

Medicare Advantage Plans (MA):

There are 6 different types of Medicare Advantage Plans

• 1- Health Maintenance Organization Plans (HMO)


• 2- Point of Service (POS)


• 3- Preferred Provider Organization Plans (PPO)


• 4- Private Fee For Service Plans (PFFS)


• 5- Special Needs Plans (SNP)


• 6- Medical Savings Account Plans (MSA)

In addition to Part A&B benefits many plans offer

• 1- Part D prescription drug coverage


• 2- Hearing Exams or hearing aids


• 3- Dental Exams, cleanings, X-rays, routine dental care


• 4- Eye Exams, glasses or contact lenses.


• 5- Wellness Benefits such as Gym Memberships and OTC benefits


• 6- Premiums are not based on age or health


• 7- Combined Services and benefits into one plan


• 8- Maximum Out of Pocket limits to control costs