Talk with a licensed Insurance Agent at 941-567-6000 (TTY 711)

Talk with a licensed Medicare Advisor
941-567-6000 TTY 711

Medicare At-A-Glance

The Big Picture on Medicare

Original Medicare

(medicare.gov)i

Original Medicare includes Hospital (Parts A and B) insurance. A separate drug plan (Part D) is optional. You can also add Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) to help pay your out-of-pocket costs.

Part A Hospitalization i

Medicare Part A is for everyone. In general, part A covers:

  • Inpatient care in a hospital
  • Skilled nursing facility care
  • Nursing home care (inpatient care in a skilled nursing facility that’s not custodial or long-term care)
  • Hospice care
  • Home health care

Coinsurance of 20% applies and coverage has limits for hospitalization longer than 60 days at a time. If your work history qualifies, there are no monthly payments for Part A.

Part B Outpatient i

Enrolling in Medicare Part B right away prevents penalty costs later, unless you’re covered by other medical insurance when you turn 65. Part B covers:

  • Medically necessary services: Services or supplies that are needed to diagnose or treat your medical condition and that meet accepted standards of medical practice.
  • Preventive services: Health care to prevent illness (like the flu) or detect it at an early stage, when treatment is most likely to work best.

You pay nothing for most preventive services if you get the services from a health care provider who accepts assignment.

Medicare Supplement Plans (Medigap) i

(view Medicare Supplement comparison chart)

Medigap is Medicare Supplement Insurance that helps fill “gaps” in Original Medicare and is sold by private companies. It’s preferred by people who want predictable healthcare costs, no matter how much healthcare they need. Original Medicare pays for much, but not all, of the cost for covered health care services and supplies. A Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy can help pay most of the remaining healthcare costs – depending on the plan you select. These remaining costs can consist of:

  • Copayments
  • Coinsurance
  • Deductibles

Part C Medicare Advantage Plans i

Medicare Advantage Plans, sometimes called “Part C” or “MA Plans,” are an “all-in-one” alternative to Original Medicare. They are often preferred by people who want the lowest price on Parts A, B, and D, but may carry substantial out of pocket costs if you need healthcare. They are offered by private companies approved by Medicare. These “bundled” plans include Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance), and usually Medicare drug coverage (Part D).

Part D (Prescriptions) i

Part D may be included in a Medicare Advantage Plan, but not in a Medicare Supplement plan or Original Medicare. All Medicare Part D plans must cover a wide range of prescription drugs that people with Medicare take, including most drugs in certain protected classes, like drugs to treat cancer or HIV/AIDS. A plan’s list of covered drugs is called a “formulary,” and each plan has its own formulary. Many plans place drugs into different levels, called “tiers,” on their formularies. Drugs in each tier have a different cost. For example, a drug in a lower tier will generally cost you less than a drug in a higher tier.

Extra Coverage i

…and more” Extra coverage included in many Medicare Advantage plans, but additional options in Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans.

Dental

Hearing

Vision

Long Term Care

If you’re receiving Social Security benefits, you’re likely already enrolled in Original Medicare, but may still have gaps in your coverage. If you’re a new ActivAger (turning 65 soon and planning an active retirement) you may need specific coverage options that cover your active retirement lifestyle.

Use our MediClear helper to zero in on the type of Medicare plan that provides the best coverage for your individual situation

At any time during your Medicare enrollment journey, call us at 941-567-6000 TTY 711 to ask questions and learn more. By contacting the phone number listed, you can expect to be in contact with a licensed insurance agent.

Contact Us

WE WILL NOT SHARE YOUR INFORMATION WITH ANYONE ELSE. By providing your information – such as name, phone number, and email address – you agree to allow an ActivAge licensed Insurance Agent to contact you about various health plans, services, and/or educational information related to health care.

Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed this information. Not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program. Our National Producer Number is: 18595829

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Medical Terms and Definitions

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  • Penalty
    An amount added to your monthly premium for Part B or a Medicare drug plan (Part D) if you don't join when you're first eligible. You pay this higher amount as long as you have Medicare. There are some exceptions.
  • Pilot programs
    See "Demonstrations."
  • Point-of-service option
    In a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), this option lets you use doctors and hospitals outside the plan for an additional cost.
  • Power of attorney
    A medical power of attorney is a document that lets you appoint someone you trust to make decisions about your medical care. This type of advance directive also may be called a health care proxy, appointment of health care agent, or a durable power of attorney for health care.
  • Pre-existing condition
    A health problem you had before the date that new health coverage starts.
  • Premium
    The periodic payment to Medicare, an insurance company, or a health care plan for health or prescription drug coverage.
  • Preventive services
    Health care to prevent illness or detect illness at an early stage, when treatment is likely to work best (for example, preventive services include Pap tests, flu shots, and screening mammograms).
  • Primary care doctor
    The doctor you see first for most health problems. He or she makes sure you get the care you need to keep you healthy. He or she also may talk with other doctors and health care providers about your care and refer you to them. In many Medicare Advantage Plans, you must see your primary care doctor before you see any other health care provider.
  • Prior authorization
    Approval that you must get from a Medicare drug plan before you fill your prescription in order for the prescription to be covered by your plan. Your Medicare drug plan may require prior authorization for certain drugs.
  • Programs of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)
    A special type of health plan that provides all the care and services covered by Medicare and Medicaid as well as additional medically necessary care and services based on your needs as determined by an interdisciplinary team. PACE serves frail older adults who need nursing home services but are capable of living in the community. PACE combines medical, social, and long-term care services and prescription drug coverage.