Original Medicare
Part A hospital and Part B medical insurance run by the federal government.
Medicare plans, explained plainly
Six kinds of coverage, four lettered parts and one question: what fits your doctors, prescriptions and budget? Start here.
The four parts of Medicare
Every plan type on this page is built from these building blocks.
- Part AHospital insurance
- Inpatient stays, skilled nursing after a hospital stay, hospice and some home health care.
- Part BMedical insurance
- Doctors, outpatient care, lab work, imaging, equipment and preventive services.
- Part CMedicare Advantage
- Private plans that deliver Parts A and B, usually with drug coverage and extras.
- Part DPrescription drugs
- Stand-alone or built into Advantage plans, with a yearly out-of-pocket cap.
Choose a plan type to explore
Medicare Advantage
Part C plans from private carriers that bundle A, B and usually D with extra benefits.
Medicare Supplement (Medigap)
Standardized policies like Plan G and Plan N that pay what Original Medicare leaves behind.
Part D prescription drug plans
Stand-alone drug plans that work with Original Medicare and Medigap.
Special Needs Plans
Advantage plans designed for people with Medicaid, chronic conditions or facility care.
Dental, vision and hearing
Routine care Original Medicare leaves out, through Advantage benefits or stand-alone plans.
Three paths, compared
The two paths most people choose between. Neither is right for everyone, which is why we start with your doctors and prescriptions.
| What matters | Original Medicare aloneParts A and B | Medigap + Part DOriginal Medicare plus a Supplement and drug plan | Medicare AdvantagePart C, usually with drug coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choice of doctors | Any provider nationwide that accepts Medicare | Any provider nationwide that accepts Medicare | Plan network (HMO or PPO), referrals in many HMOs |
| Monthly premium | Part B premium only | Part B + Supplement + Part D premiums | Part B premium, plan premium often $0 |
| Yearly out-of-pocket limit | None | Very low with Plan G (mainly the Part B deductible) | Yes, set by each plan for in-network care |
| Prescription drugs | Not included | Separate Part D plan | Included in most plans |
| Dental, vision, hearing | Not included | Add a stand-alone policy | Often included, with limits |
| Travel within the U.S. | Covered with Medicare providers | Covered with Medicare providers | Emergencies covered; routine care depends on plan |
| Prior authorization | Rare | Rare | Required for some services |
| Changing later | Add coverage during enrollment periods | Switching Supplements may require health questions | Change each fall; Medigap later may require underwriting |
Original Medicare alone
Parts A and B
- Choice of doctors
- Any provider nationwide that accepts Medicare
- Monthly premium
- Part B premium only
- Yearly out-of-pocket limit
- None
- Prescription drugs
- Not included
- Dental, vision, hearing
- Not included
- Travel within the U.S.
- Covered with Medicare providers
- Prior authorization
- Rare
- Changing later
- Add coverage during enrollment periods
Medigap + Part D
Original Medicare plus a Supplement and drug plan
- Choice of doctors
- Any provider nationwide that accepts Medicare
- Monthly premium
- Part B + Supplement + Part D premiums
- Yearly out-of-pocket limit
- Very low with Plan G (mainly the Part B deductible)
- Prescription drugs
- Separate Part D plan
- Dental, vision, hearing
- Add a stand-alone policy
- Travel within the U.S.
- Covered with Medicare providers
- Prior authorization
- Rare
- Changing later
- Switching Supplements may require health questions
Medicare Advantage
Part C, usually with drug coverage
- Choice of doctors
- Plan network (HMO or PPO), referrals in many HMOs
- Monthly premium
- Part B premium, plan premium often $0
- Yearly out-of-pocket limit
- Yes, set by each plan for in-network care
- Prescription drugs
- Included in most plans
- Dental, vision, hearing
- Often included, with limits
- Travel within the U.S.
- Emergencies covered; routine care depends on plan
- Prior authorization
- Required for some services
- Changing later
- Change each fall; Medigap later may require underwriting
General comparison for education. Plan availability, costs and rules vary by plan and county. We do not offer every plan available in your area.
Plan questions
Still wondering about something? A licensed advisor can answer in plain English, usually the same day.
A Medicare Supplement works alongside Original Medicare, lets you see any provider that accepts Medicare and has a higher premium with low out-of-pocket costs. A Medicare Advantage plan replaces how Original Medicare pays claims, usually has a network, lower premiums, a yearly out-of-pocket maximum and extra benefits.
It is usually wise. Without Part D or other creditable drug coverage, you may pay a late enrollment penalty for as long as you have Part D coverage later.
Original Medicare does not cover routine dental, eyeglasses or hearing aids. Many Medicare Advantage plans include these benefits, and stand-alone plans are available if you have a Supplement.
For most military retirees, Medicare pays first and TRICARE for Life pays second. To keep TRICARE for Life, you generally must have both Part A and Part B once you are eligible.
