As Registered Nurses,
We'll be there for you to answer questions and provide direction.
MEDICARE SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE PLANS
-
Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) pays for the portion of your medical bills that Medicare does not cover: either Part A deductible, Part A co-payments beyond the Part A deductible, Part B deductible and 20% remaining costs for Part B services or just the 20% of Part B services. There are 10 Medicare supplement insurance plans standardized by the federal government. The level of coverage varies. There are standardized plans that cover most Medicare deductibles, copayments and coinsurance, while others leave some costs for you to pay on your own. Medicare supplement plans provide nationwide coverage.
MEDICARE ADVANTAGE INSURANCE PLANS
-
Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C): Offered through private insurance companies, combine the coverage of Parts A and B into one plan. They often include prescription drug coverage (Part D) and other value-added services such as dental, vision, wellness and hearing aids. These plans have cost-shares and co-payments and operate as either HMO or PPO, the latter have greater flexibility in most cases. You’ll still be in the Medicare program, but you will receive your benefits through the plan instead of through Original Medicare.
PART D PRESCRIPTION INSURANCE PLANS
-
Medicare Part D, the prescription drug benefit, is the part of Medicare that covers most outpatient prescription drugs. Part D is offered through private insurance companies either as a stand-alone plan, for those enrolled in Original Medicare, or as a set of benefits included with your Medicare Advantage Plan.
Medicare Advantage options are also available without Part D but should only be chosen after a detailed analysis, since future penalties could apply. Each year you should review your Part D plan’s drug list, or formulary, to see if they cover your prescriptions