Original Medicare may not be enough
In most cases, people with Original Medicare must pay 20 percent of their medical bills and 100 percent of the cost of most prescription drugs. Without added protection, an unexpected illness or injury could put a person’s savings at risk.
There are many ways to get extra protection. Some people buy a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy to fill in the gaps of Original Medicare. This type of coverage can be very expensive and usually only covers the things that Original Medicare covers. People with a Medigap policy pay the same amount of money each month, even if they don’t see a doctor or visit the hospital. And because these policies don’t pay for most prescription drugs, people with a Medigap policy usually need to buy separate Part D drug coverage.
Medicare Advantage plans, also called Medicare Part C plans, are another way that people can get their Medicare benefits. These plans are approved by Medicare and are offered by private companies with a government contract. Because they coordinate a person’s entire health care experience, many Medicare Advantage plans are able to offer extra benefits and lower cost-sharing than Original Medicare – including Part D drug coverage – at little or no extra cost.
A Medicare Advantage plan may be a good option for your friend or loved one. In the next section, we’ll explain more about our company and the Medicare Advantage plans that we offer.