Understand Your Medicare Options

• Part A (Hospital Insurance): Covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, and some home health care.

• Part B (Medical Insurance): Covers doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, and medical supplies.

Note: Original Medicare does not cover most prescription drugs, vision, dental, or hearing services.

Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. They include all benefits of Parts A and B, and usually include prescription drug coverage. Some plans may offer extra benefits, like dental, vision, or hearing coverage.

Each plan may differ in provider networks, costs, and coverage — it’s important to compare the options in your area.

Part D helps cover the cost of prescription drugs. Plans are offered by private insurers approved by Medicare. Each plan has a list of covered drugs (formulary), and costs can vary depending on the medication, the pharmacy, and whether you use a preferred provider.

Medigap policies help cover some costs Original Medicare doesn’t pay — like copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. These plans are standardized by letter (Plan A, Plan G, Plan N, etc.), meaning each plan of the same letter offers the same benefits, no matter which company offers it.