Your Guide To Medicare Insurance Plans
Many older and/or disabled Americans rely on Medicare to pay for their healthcare costs. If you are considering signing up for Medicare, you may have a lot of questions. Get started by checking out the various types of Medicare insurance plans to consider. To learn more, keep reading.
Original Medicare
Original Medicare may also be referred to as Medicare Parts A and B. Part A may also be referred to as "hospital insurance" because it covers inpatient care at hospitals and nursing facilities. It also may include some home health care.
Medicare Part B or "medical insurance" covers the more common needs, like doctor visits. It may also include:
- Other health care providers like specialists
- Outpatient care
- Home health care
- Durable medical equipment
- Preventive services
As with other types of health insurance plans, you will have to pay your premiums to remain covered, and you may be responsible for copayments or coinsurance.
Medicare Part D
Unfortunately, Original Medicare does not include prescription medication coverage. However, you can purchase Medicare Part D in addition to Original Medicare to receive coverage for prescriptions. Part D also covers many vaccines. Unlike Original Medicare, which is provided by the government, Part D plans are only sold by private insurance carriers. Luckily, they all follow Medicare rules.
Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage includes Parts A, B, and D, and it is often referred to as Medicare Part C. Like Medicare Part D, it is sold by qualified private insurance carriers. Medicare Advantage often includes additional perks, such as:
- Vision
- Hearing
- Dental
Plus, Medicare Advantage plans may actually save you money by reducing some out-of-pocket costs and providing more benefits.
Medigap Policies
Medigap policies are designed to complement your Original Medicare plan. You cannot have Medicare Advantage and a Medigap policy. There are multiple Medigap policies, with different costs and benefits. While Medicare Advantage is meant to add more benefits, Medigap policies are largely designed to lower your out-of-pocket costs.
In fact, some plans cover:
- Part B Coinsurance
- Part A deductible
- Part B deducible
As with other alternatives to Original Medicare, you'll purchase Medigap from a private insurance carrier.
Medicare is a great way to pay for your healthcare needs. Plus, there are so many types of policies and plans to consider. If you would like to know more, or if you want to talk about a Medicare Advantage or medigap policy, contact an insurance carrier today.