Lesson 3
Once you have Original Medicare (Parts A and B), you have options. Not sure which is right for you? Here's some help.
Choose to stay with just Original Medicare if ...
- You don't go to the doctor often
- You have other coverage through an employer, TRICARE or the Veterans Administration (VA)
- Paying about 20% of all your hospital and medical costs is affordable for you
- You don't need prescription drug coverage, or you have it already
- You don’t want additional coverage and “extras” like vision and dental and a fitness membership
Choose a Medicare Advantage with prescription drug (MAPD) plan if ...
- Paying lower monthly premiums than Medigap is important to you
- You want to get Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage bundled with your Medicare Parts A and B
- You want peace of mind with predictable copayments and deductibles over paying a deductible or 20% of your medical costs
- A plan that pays 100% of your medical costs once you've reached the maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limit
- You want to see doctors in the plan's network, which may save you money
- You want a single card and one company for your Medicare
- The plan includes extras you want, such as dental and a free gym membership
Choose a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plan if ...
- You want a plan that covers some or all of the costs that Original Medicare doesn't cover
- Paying less - or paying nothing - when you get medical care outweighs having higher monthly premiums
- You don't need prescription drug coverage, or you want to buy it separately
- You want the freedom to see any doctor who accepts Medicare
- You live outside of Michigan for more than a month each year and want to pay the same amount whether you see a doctor at home or away