Medicare doesn't have to feel overwhelming.
You do not have to understand everything at once. Start with how Medicare works, what matters to you, and the questions you should ask before choosing coverage.
Understanding Parts A, B, C and D
Medicare is easier to understand when you separate the different parts and look at what each one is designed to cover.
Hospital Insurance
Medicare Part A generally helps cover inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care and certain home health care services.
Medical Insurance
Medicare Part B generally helps cover physician services, outpatient care, preventive services and certain medically necessary services and supplies.
Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage is another way to receive your Medicare benefits through a Medicare-approved private insurance plan.
Prescription Drug Coverage
Medicare Part D helps provide prescription drug coverage. Drug coverage and formularies can vary by plan.
There is more than one way to receive Medicare coverage.
Understanding the difference between the major coverage paths is one of the most important parts of the Medicare conversation.
Original Medicare
Original Medicare includes Part A and Part B.
Depending on your needs, you may also consider separate prescription drug coverage and Medicare Supplement Insurance, commonly called Medigap.
Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage plans provide Medicare-covered Part A and Part B services through Medicare-approved private insurance companies.
Many plans also include prescription drug coverage and may include additional benefits. Networks, costs and plan rules can vary.
The lowest premium is not always the lowest healthcare cost.
A monthly premium is only one number. Depending on your coverage, you may also need to consider deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, prescription costs and other potential out-of-pocket expenses.
Six areas we believe deserve attention.
Before comparing coverage, we want to understand how healthcare fits into your actual life.
Current Coverage
What coverage do you have today, and when will it change?
Your Providers
Are there doctors, hospitals or specialists you want to continue using?
Your Prescriptions
What medications do you take, and how might different coverage options affect them?
Your Budget
How do premiums and potential out-of-pocket healthcare expenses fit into your budget?
How You Live
Do you travel, spend time in different states or have other healthcare access considerations?
Your Priorities
What matters most to you when choosing healthcare coverage?
You can start learning before you have to make a decision.
If you are approaching Medicare eligibility, you do not need to wait until the last minute to begin asking questions.
An educational conversation can help you understand Medicare terminology, organize your questions and identify the information you may need when it is time to evaluate your coverage options.
Have Medicare questions?
You do not need to know which coverage option you want before contacting us. Tell us what you are trying to understand, and we will start there.