The More You ​Know

Before choosing a plan we want to ​be sure you know the difference ​between your many options; In ​particular how Medicare ​Supplements and Medicare ​Advantage Plans differ. Many people ​sign up for Advantage Plans thinking ​they are Supplements, they are not.

Plan Options

Plan Options

Medicare Supplement ​Insurance Plans

A Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan is used ​with original Medicare. Any caregiver that ​accepts Medicare will take a Supplement ​because they only need to bill Medicare. ​Medicare pays their part (generally 80% of ​Medicare covered benefits) and sends the ​remainder of the bill to the Supplement which ​pays their part (generally 20%). It is important ​to note that Supplements do NOT include ​Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D, PDP) and ​for those that do not get a PDP when first ​eligible there will be a penalty when they do get ​a PDP. (there are exceptions to this) A Medicare ​Supplement does not change year to year ​(although the cost does generally go up the ​coverage does not change).

Medicare Advantage ​Plans

Medicare Advantage Plans, sometimes called ​"Part C" or "MA Plans," are an “all in one” ​alternative to Original Medicare. They are ​offered by private companies approved by ​Medicare. If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, ​you still have Medicare. These "bundled" plans ​include Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) ​and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance), and ​usually Medicare drug coverage (Part D).

Medicare Prescription ​Drug Plans (Part D)

Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D). These ​plans (sometimes called "PDPs") add drug ​coverage to Original Medicare, some Medicare ​Cost Plans, some Medicare Private Fee-for-​Service (PFFS) Plans, and Medicare Medical ​Savings Account (MSA) Plans.

Each Medicare Prescription Drug Plan has its ​own list of covered drugs (called a formulary). ​Many Medicare drug plans place drugs into ​different "tiers" on their formularies. Drugs in ​each tier have a different cost.

A drug in a lower tier will generally cost you less ​than a drug in a higher tier. In some cases, if ​your drug is on a higher tier and your ​prescriber thinks you need that drug instead of ​a similar drug on a lower tier, you or your ​prescriber can ask your plan for an exception ​to get a lower copayment.