Medicare

is an all-in-one alternative to Original Medicare offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. These plans provide the same coverage as Medicare Part A and Part B, and often include additional benefits like dental, vision, hearing, prescription drugs, and wellness programs — all in one convenient plan.

Medicare Advantage plans are designed to give you more choice and value, with many plans offering low or even $0 monthly premiums (besides your standard Part B premium).

• Covers Medicare Parts A & B
   
• May include Part D prescription drug coverage
   
• Often includes extra benefits such as dental, vision, hearing, and fitness memberships
   
• Out-of-pocket maximums to help protect against high medical costs
   
• Offered by private insurance companies that contract with Medicare
   

• HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) – Lower costs but typically requires staying in-network
   
• PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) – More flexibility to see out-of-network providers
   
• SNP (Special Needs Plans) – Designed for individuals with certain chronic conditions or financial needs
   

Medicare Advantage may be a good fit if:

• You want all your coverage in one plan
   
• You’re looking for extra benefits not included in Original Medicare
   
• You prefer predictable out-of-pocket costs
   
• You want coverage tailored to your local provider network

also known as Medigap, is private insurance that helps pay for the out-of-pocket costs not covered by Original Medicare (Parts A & B) — like copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. These plans are designed to "fill the gaps" in Medicare coverage, giving you more predictable healthcare costs and greater peace of mind.

Medigap policies are standardized and regulated, so you can expect the same basic benefits from each plan type, no matter which insurance company you choose.

• Helps cover costs not paid by Original Medicare
   
• Freedom to see any doctor or specialist who accepts Medicare — no networks or referrals required
   
• Guaranteed renewable — your policy cannot be canceled due to health conditions
   
• No restrictive networks — use it anywhere Medicare is accepted nationwide
   
• Plans are standardized (Plan A, B, G, N, etc.) for easy comparison
   

A Medicare Supplement plan might be right for you if:

• You want to minimize out-of-pocket costs for medical care
   
• You value the freedom to choose any provider without referrals
   
• You travel frequently and want coverage that goes with you
   
• You want a predictable, stable healthcare budget
   

Note: Medicare Supplement plans do not include prescription drug coverage. You’ll need to add a separate Part D plan for that.