Medicare Advantage Plans That Fit Your Needs

Original Medicare includes Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). Medicare Advantage (Part C) bundles these together and often includes Part D (prescription drugs) plus additional benefits like dental, vision, and fitness programs. Medicare Advantage plans also have an annual out-of-pocket maximum, while Original Medicare does not.

There are specific enrollment periods:

Initial Enrollment Period: When you first become eligible for Medicare (3 months before to 3 months after your 65th birthday month).

Annual Enrollment Period: October 15 - December 7 each year for changes effective January 1.

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment: January 1 - March 31 to switch Advantage plans or return to Original Medicare.

It depends on the plan type. HMO plans typically require you to use network providers except in emergencies. PPO plans allow you to see out-of-network providers but at a higher cost. Some Medicare Advantage plans are "open access" with more flexibility. We can help you find a plan that works with your preferred doctors.

No, you cannot have both at the same time. Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policies only work with Original Medicare. If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, it's illegal for anyone to sell you a Medigap policy unless you're switching back to Original Medicare.

The coverage gap (or "donut hole") is a temporary limit on what your Part D plan will cover for prescriptions. After you and your plan have spent a certain amount on covered drugs, you enter the gap where you pay a higher percentage of drug costs until you reach catastrophic coverage. The Affordable Care Act has been closing this gap, and in 2023 you'll pay no more than 25% of the cost for covered brand-name and generic drugs during the gap.