- Original Medicare includes Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance).
- If you want drug coverage, you can join a separate Medicare drug plan (Part D).
- You can use any doctor or hospital that takes Medicare, anywhere in the U.S.
- If you choose Original Medicare, you can also decide to:
- Join a separate Medicare drug plan (Part D) if you want drug coverage.
- Add other insurance (like Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap), Medicaid, or employee or union coverage), to help pay your out-of-pocket costs (like your 20% coinsurance).
-
Medicare Advantage (also known as Part C)
- Medicare Advantage is an “all in one” alternative to Original Medicare. These “bundled” plans include Part A, Part B, and usually Part D.
- Plans may have lower out-of-pocket costs than Original Medicare.
- In many cases, you’ll need to use doctors and other providers who are in the plan’s network and service area for the lowest costs.
- Most plans offer extra benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t cover—like vision, hearing, dental, and more.