Medicare 101: Medicare Basics

To choose the right coverage, you need to know the basics about Medicare. We’ve collected everything you need to know about Medicare, so you can pick the plan that best fits your needs.

Original Medicare

Parts A and B offered by the federal government

Hospitals

This is called Part A.
Part A covers inpatient hospital care. While you are in the hospital, it covers everything that is crucial for your treatment. Like your medications, X-rays, lab tests, operations, and meals. It can also pay for necessary follow-ups to inpatient care like physical therapy or skilled home nurse care. And, it covers hospice services for the terminally ill. The federal government provides Part A, and most people don't pay a monthly premium. If you're admitted to a hospital, there's a deductible and some further cost sharing that you pay.

Doctors

This is called Part B.
Part B covers doctor’s care when you’re sick or have a medical condition. It pays for outpatient hospital and clinic care, lab tests, and some nursing care at home if you’re homebound. Part B generally makes it easier to get preventative care, including things like your annual wellness exam, preventative screenings, and yearly flu shots. It can cover the medical equipment you need for your home. And it can cover you if you have to go to the Emergency Room. It also covers most doctor services while you’re in the hospital. The federal government provides Part B, and you’ll have to pay a monthly premium. For visits to the doctor, part B has a deductible and some cost sharing that you pay.

Your options beyond Parts A and B

These are your options offered by Private Insurance Companies

Medicare Advantage

This is called Part C.
Medicare Advantage combines the coverage of Part A and B – Original Medicare, plus extra benefits. Many plans include prescription drug coverage as well as dental and vision care. Some plans have no copays for most labs or tests. And some even have extra benefits like gym memberships and transportation. Most plans offer $0 premiums, but you do have to pay your Part B premium. Most plans have copays for treatment. And you’ll continue to pay your Part B premium. Medicare Advantage plans have a yearly limit for out-of-pocket costs you have to pay. Once you reach that amount, you won’t pay more for any of your Medicare costs, your plan will cover it. Different plans have different maximums. Medicare Advantage plans work all by themselves. They replace Medicare Parts A and B and because of this all-in-one approach, you don't pair them with Medicare Supplement policies.

Prescription Drug Plan

This is called Part D.
Part D covers your prescription drugs and is a great addition to pair with Medicare supplement insurance. You probably won’t need it if you get Medicare Advantage since most Medicare Advantage plans include it. Remember what prescriptions are covered depends on which plan you get. But you most likely won’t need it if you choose Medicare Advantage instead. You can also pair it with Medicare supplement insurance for even more coverage. Just remember: which prescriptions are covered depends on which plan you get. You have to get your Prescription Drug Plan through a private insurer, like Mutual of Omaha. You’ll pay a monthly premium and a yearly deductible. You'll also pay a coinsurance (a percentage of the cost for your prescriptions) or a copay (a flat fee for some of your prescriptions’ cost).

Medicare Supplement Insurance

This is also called Medigap.
Medicare Supplement (also known as Medigap) covers things that Original Medicare doesn’t, like copays, deductibles, and coinsurance. It does all this with a steady, predictable, monthly bill you can budget for. And it can’t be cancelled. It will be renewed for as long as you pay your premium on time. You can add a Prescription Drug Plan and a Dental plan to Medicare supplement insurance to get even more coverage. You have to get Medicare supplement insurance through a private insurer, like Mutual of Omaha. You’ll have to pay a monthly premium and depending on the plan you may also have copays.

Two Different Options for Comprehensive
Medicare Coverage

How do these plans compare?

Medicare Advantage

Original Medicare + Medicare Supplement Insurance + Part D

How do these plan types differ?

There are many ways a Medicare Advantage plan differs from Medicare Supplement. With Medicare Advantage, you will have an all-in-one plan with low or no monthly premiums, but you’ll have higher out-of-pocket payments when you do use your health plan, though there are limits to how much you have to pay. Medicare Advantage plans are also affiliated with specific health provider networks, so you will be limited to doctors in these plans.

There are many ways a Medicare Supplement plan differs from a Medicare Advantage one. With Medicare Supplement, you will pay higher monthly premiums but will have fewer out of pocket costs when you do use your health plan. Also, you are permitted to see any doctor who accepts Medicare.

Will I Need A Referral To See A Specialist?

Doctors in your approved network.

Any doctor who accepts Medicare.

Is the Plan Offered Where I Live?

It depends. Since not every insurance company offers plans in each area, you’ll need to choose from a company that offers it where you live. And in some cases, there may not be a plan available at all.

Yes – a plan is available in your area. Since not every insurance company offers plans in each state, you’ll need to choose from a company that offers it in your area. And plans are standardized differently in Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

I Live in a Rural Area, Will There Be a Doctor Close to Me I Can See?

It depends. Most plans center around a specific hospital, so there may not be a doctor in your network close to where you live.

Most likely. You can see any doctor that accepts Medicare, and there are doctors in most rural areas that do.

Will I be covered if I travel across the United States?

Yes, you will be covered for any urgent or emergency care while traveling, however, routine care outside of the plan’s network is not covered.

Yes. Just like with Medicare, you can travel the country and see any doctor that accepts Medicare.

Will I be covered if I travel across the world?

For most plans, only emergency services are covered outside of where you live.

Plans F, G, and N cover it.

Are prescriptions covered?

Most Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage, but all plans have rules for which drugs are covered.

When you get a separate Prescription Drug Plan that complements Medicare Supplement Insurance, you’re covered. But all plans have rules for which drugs are covered.

Is Dental Included?

Most plans include it.

No, but a separate Dental Plan pairs well with Medicare Supplement Insurance.

Is Vision Included?

Most plans include it.

No, but a separate Vision Plan pairs well with Medicare Supplement Insurance.

Are There Extra Benefits?

Yes. There are benefits like hearing, fitness memberships, and transportation.

Some insurance companies offer extra benefits.

What is the Stability of the Benefits?

Benefits may change from year to year. Most plans only have slight changes though

Your Medicare Supplement Insurance benefits will always stay the same.

Can my plan be canceled?

Plans can be canceled at the end of the calendar year. Most choose to renew though.

No. As long as you pay your premiums, your plan can’t be canceled.

Will I need to pay copays or coinsurance?

Yes. Learn more about copays and coinsurance.

It depends on the plan. Learn more about copays and coinsurance

Will I need to pay a premium?

Yes, but most plans have a low or $0 monthly premium. You’ll also need to pay your Part B premium.

Yes. You’ll pay a monthly premium in addition to your Part B premium.

Explore the Medicare Advantage Plans in your county

Your open enrollment period starts when you turn 65 or when you first sign up for Part B. It lasts for 6 months. This is the best time to sign up, because you’ll get the best possible rate and can’t be denied for a pre-existing condition. After this 6-month window closes, you can still apply but the insurance company may use medical underwriting. There is also the possibility that you could be denied.