| Let me start of by saying that every Medicare | | | | with a Medicare Advantage Plan. |
| beneficiary has a different situations. Just like | | | | Part C - OK, nobody calls Medicare Advantage plans |
| everybody else, they have different lifestyles, health | | | | Part C any more, so that's why I did it out of alpha |
| issues, budgets, and expectations. That means, in my | | | | order! Medicare Advantage plans come from private |
| opinion, that it would be impossible to tell you which is | | | | insurers. Sometimes they require an extra premium |
| the best Medicare health plan. We cannot try to find | | | | payment, but sometimes they do not. In fact, some |
| the best one, but can only find the best plan for you! | | | | MA (Medicare Advantage Plans) even rebate part of |
| Original Medicare is the health plan that most senior | | | | the Part B premium that is taken from social security |
| citizens qualify for at retirement age. Disabled people, | | | | checks. When you enroll in an MA plan, you will use |
| who are under 65, can also qualify for benefits. The | | | | that insurance card instead of your original Medicare |
| program has been around for almost 50 years, and is | | | | card. You are still a Medicare beneficiary though, and |
| certainly a prized institution with our country's senior | | | | can just stick your original card somewhere safe in |
| citizens. It helps them pay for, and manage, their health | | | | case you decide to dis-enroll from an MA plan and go |
| care. | | | | back to original Medicare. |
| Part A - This is usually called hospital insurance, though | | | | Medicare Supplements - These are also called |
| it covers some other things as well. Most seniors do | | | | Medicare Gap policies, and that is because they work |
| not have to pay an additional premium. | | | | with original Medicare part A and part B. They cover |
| Part B - This is often called medical insurance. It pays | | | | the gaps in coverage like deductibles and copays to |
| for medical expenses that Part A does not cover. | | | | reduce a beneficiary's out of pocket medical |
| Doctor's office visits are one example of this. Most | | | | expenses. You can find different levels of these |
| seniors do pay a premium for this coverage, though it | | | | medsup plans, and those different levels will offer |
| is taken from their social security checks, so many | | | | different coverage, and they will have different |
| people are not even aware of that. | | | | premiums. Rates may also vary by zip code, age, and |
| Part D (Where is Part C?) Part D is Medicare | | | | other factors. There will be certain times when a |
| prescription drug coverage, and it is fairly new. It | | | | Medicare beneficiary can sign up with no underwriting |
| comes from private insurers. It usually has a premium | | | | required. |
| for the senior citizen, though it also gets tax dollars to | | | | So which plan is best for you, or for a senior citizen |
| supplement it. It is intended to help seniors pay for their | | | | that you care about? You have to look at the plans |
| prescriptions, though it is not 100% coverage. Some | | | | that are available in your local area, and then decide |
| people will purchase a prescription plan that works | | | | which one fits your budget, lifestyle, and expectations! |
| alone, while others take a plan that comes bundled | | | | |