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Medicare

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Medicare

What is Medicare A?

Medicare Part A provides services associated with hospital, hospice, skilled nursing care, and home health care.

What is Medicare B?

Medicare Part B is the medical insurance portion of Medicare, which covers physician services, outpatient hospital care, and many other services typically covered under health insurance plans. Part B is financed through monthly premiums paid by enrollees and by contributions from the federal government.

What is Medicare C?

Medicare Part C is an alternative to Parts A and B. It is often referred to as Medicare Advantage. This may include Traditional, HMO or PPO coverage. A Medicare Advantage plan would replace Medicare Parts A & B. Some Medicare Advantage Plans do not have a cost beyond the Medicare Part B premium and some provide additional benefits at an additional premium.

What is Medicare D?

Medicare D is prescription drug coverage at participating pharmacies in your area. Medicare prescription drug coverage provides protection for people who have very high drug costs or from unexpected prescription drug bills in the future. More information about prescription drugs will be provided in the September mailing.

What is Medigap?

Medigap is supplemental insurance purchased to pay some of the services/costs that Medicare does not cover. Medigap insurance is sold by private insurance companies.

What is a Medicare Private Fee For service Plan?

A Medicare Private Fee For Service plan (PFFS) is similar to the CMP or FMP-PPO plans, in the sense that there is not a specific network of providers. You may receive services at any Medicare participating provider. Some PFFS plans have deductibles and coinsurance amounts that are the patient responsibility.

What are the advantages of enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan?

When you enroll in any Medicare Advantage Plan, you will still get all Original Medicare covered services, but you may also obtain extra benefits and services not offered by original Medicare, and/or you may be able to reduce your out-of-pocket costs.

The extra benefits and services you receive and/or the amount of money you save will depend on which Medicare Advantage plan you choose. For instance, some plans cover prescription drugs above what is covered in a Medicare D prescription drug plan and some cover a variety of routine services or have a co-pay instead of a percentage of the covered expense. You'll have to look at the benefits provided under each of the plans before making your decision.