The way Medicare plans are alphabetized – from A to D – one might be fooled into thinking that there are but a few options to consider.
But deciding which Medicare coverage is right for you is definitely not as easy as a multiple-choice question with a single right answer.
Medicare was designed with the idea that the vast majority of Americans would eventually receive a uniform level of coverage and care once they became eligible. And recipients do receive a basic level of coverage. But that basic level also has some gaps, including a lack of coverage for prescription drugs, dental care, and vision care, and the lack of a cap on out-of-pocket costs.
To figure out how you can fill those gaps, you’ll need to have a basic understanding of the parts of Medicare and what each one covers.
The main coverage options include:
Read more about those basic coverage options – and also how to improve or change your coverage – in the articles below:
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August 9, 2024 – Reasons to consider a change to your Medicare prescription drug coverage may include high premiums, changes to your prescriptions or your… Read more
August 9, 2024 – Medicare Part D subsidizes the costs of prescription drugs for beneficiaries. Enrollees enrollee in Part D either through a prescription… Read more
August 9, 2024 – Medicare supplement insurance, or Medigap, is insurance that supplements Original Medicare, covering some or all of the out-of-pocket costs… Read more
August 6, 2024 – From my experience dealing with frustrated Medicare enrollees, I can tell you that selecting the right prescription drug plan is one of the… Read more
March 15, 2024 – But prescription drugs – and drug coverage – can be less expensive if you're willing to do a little research and to reach out for… Read more
January 24, 2024 – Learn what Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) will cover, how much premiums cost, plan eligibility, enrollment windows and benefits.… Read more
December 7, 2023 – Considering a change to your Medicare coverage? Consider these 10 factors when choosing between Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Part D… Read more
November 10, 2023 – Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) pays for a range of inpatient care in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and critical-access… Read more
November 10, 2023 – Medicare Part B provides coverage of services provided by doctors, outpatient hospital services and other healthcare providers, as well as… Read more
August 10, 2023 – Sometimes called “traditional Medicare,” Original Medicare is the fee-for-service program in which the government pays directly for… Read more
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June 8, 2023 – In most cases, Original Medicare won’t provide coverage during international travel. Learn how supplemental insurance could be your… Read more
May 30, 2023 – Will your "snowbird" lifestyle affect your health coverage in retirement? The good news is that Medicare’s nationwide coverage could make… Read more
August 24, 2022 – Medicare will generally pay for services related to your loved one's specific illnesses or injuries, but it generally won't help cover the… Read more
August 16, 2022 – If you're like most Medicare enrollees, you probably aren't planning to make any changes to your existing coverage for the coming year, but… Read more
May 17, 2022 – For half a century, Medicare has provided comprehensive health insurance coverage to America's seniors. But dental coverage isn't included… Read more
August 26, 2021 – If you shun private coverage, can you get by on Original Medicare without purchasing supplemental coverage (Medigap and Part D prescription… Read more
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August 26, 2021 – In 2016, an estimated 11.7 million Medicare beneficiaries – about 20 percent of all enrollees – were also enrolled in Medicaid and are… Read more
January 9, 2020 – There are three main ways for lower-income Medicare beneficiaries to cover out of-pocket-costs when they can't afford to purchase a Medigap… Read more
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