The way Medicare plans are alphabetized – from A to D – one might be fooled into thinking that there are but a few options to consider.
But deciding which Medicare coverage is right for you is definitely not as easy as a multiple-choice question with a single right answer.
Medicare was designed with the idea that the vast majority of Americans would eventually receive a uniform level of coverage and care once they became eligible. And recipients do receive a basic level of coverage. But that basic level also has some gaps, including a lack of coverage for prescription drugs, dental care, and vision care, and the lack of a cap on out-of-pocket costs.
To figure out how you can fill those gaps, you’ll need to have a basic understanding of the parts of Medicare and what each one covers.
The main coverage options include:
Read more about those basic coverage options – and also how to improve or change your coverage – in the articles below:
We do not sell insurance products, but this form will connect you with partners of healthinsurance.org who do sell insurance products. You may submit your information through this form, or call
to speak directly with licensed enrollers who will provide advice specific to your situation. Read about your data and privacy.
The mission of healthinsurance.org and its editorial team is to provide information and resources that help American consumers make informed choices about buying and keeping health coverage. We are nationally recognized experts on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and state health insurance exchanges/marketplaces. Learn more about us.
If you have questions or comments on this service, please contact us.
August 9, 2024 – Reasons to consider a change to your Medicare prescription drug coverage may include high premiums, changes to your prescriptions or your… Read more
August 9, 2024 – Medicare Part D subsidizes the costs of prescription drugs for beneficiaries. Enrollees enrollee in Part D either through a prescription… Read more
August 9, 2024 – Medicare supplement insurance, or Medigap, is insurance that supplements Original Medicare, covering some or all of the out-of-pocket costs… Read more
August 6, 2024 – From my experience dealing with frustrated Medicare enrollees, I can tell you that selecting the right prescription drug plan is one of the… Read more
March 15, 2024 – But prescription drugs – and drug coverage – can be less expensive if you're willing to do a little research and to reach out for… Read more
January 24, 2024 – Learn what Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) will cover, how much premiums cost, plan eligibility, enrollment windows and benefits.… Read more
December 7, 2023 – Considering a change to your Medicare coverage? Consider these 10 factors when choosing between Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Part D… Read more
November 10, 2023 – Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) pays for a range of inpatient care in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and critical-access… Read more
November 10, 2023 – Medicare Part B provides coverage of services provided by doctors, outpatient hospital services and other healthcare providers, as well as… Read more
August 10, 2023 – Sometimes called “traditional Medicare,” Original Medicare is the fee-for-service program in which the government pays directly for… Read more
June 8, 2023 – In most cases, Original Medicare won’t provide coverage during international travel. Learn how supplemental insurance could be your… Read more
May 30, 2023 – Will your "snowbird" lifestyle affect your health coverage in retirement? The good news is that Medicare’s nationwide coverage could make… Read more
August 24, 2022 – Medicare will generally pay for services related to your loved one's specific illnesses or injuries, but it generally won't help cover the… Read more
August 16, 2022 – If you're like most Medicare enrollees, you probably aren't planning to make any changes to your existing coverage for the coming year, but… Read more
May 17, 2022 – For half a century, Medicare has provided comprehensive health insurance coverage to America's seniors. But dental coverage isn't included… Read more
August 26, 2021 – If you shun private coverage, can you get by on Original Medicare without purchasing supplemental coverage (Medigap and Part D prescription… Read more
August 26, 2021 – In 2016, an estimated 11.7 million Medicare beneficiaries – about 20 percent of all enrollees – were also enrolled in Medicaid and are… Read more
January 9, 2020 – There are three main ways for lower-income Medicare beneficiaries to cover out of-pocket-costs when they can't afford to purchase a Medigap… Read more
The medicareresources.org website is owned and operated by Healthinsurance.org, LLC (HIO). Medicareresources.org contains links to third-party marketing content that may constitute a solicitation of insurance by any person on whose behalf the content is posted. HIO may receive compensation if you make a purchase from a third-party advertiser or engage with the advertiser's content. HIO and its websites, healthinsurance.org and medicareresources.org, are not connected with or endorsed by the federal Medicare program.
* By shopping with independent third-party insurance agencies, you may be contacted by a licensed insurance agent. The agent may not be connected with or endorsed by the federal Medicare program. These agents/agencies do not offer every plan available in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1–800– MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
