Secure Your Future With Our Comprehensive Medicare Plans

A hospital building with the word " hospital " on it.

Part A

In a word...HOSPITAL

Part A is the part of Medicare that covers inpatient care at a hospital. It also covers skilled nursing facility, and Hospice, and Home Health Care. (But not entirely)

A man in white shirt and tie with a doctor.

Part B

In a word... DOCTORS

Part B is (for the most part) outpatient care such as doctor office visits. It also includes outpatient tests (like x-ray, MRI and most bloodwork.

A person holding a pen and paper with a rx sign on it.

Part D

In a word.. DRUGS

Part D covers your prescription drugs (mostly). If you don't get it when you're first eligible you may face lifetime penalties. (Yes, there are exceptions)

OTHER PUZZLE PIECES Medicare Advantage (aka: Part C)

This is NOT actually Medicare. When you have Part C (Medicare Advantage) you are disenrolled from Medicare and your healthcare is covered by a private insurance company with whom the government has contracted. You cannot use your Medicare card when you have Part C. There are checks and balances in place to make sure that individuals who choose Part C, get the equivalent level of care as those who stay on Medicare and coverage doesn't have to be exactly the same. Part C patients must stay within a required network of doctors (or pay higher copays if allowed to go outside of the network).

Medicare Supplement (aka: Medigap or Part E)

This is also NOT Medicare but the difference between Part C and Part E is that you are not taken off of Medicare when you have Part E. In fact, you will use your Medicare card with Part E because Part E covers the difference (the gap) between what Medicare pays (usually 80%) and what it doesn't (the other 20%). Other differences include the freedom to go to any US doctor that accepts Medicare, and no prior authorizations or referrals. ALL Medigap plans that have the same letter designation (e.g. Plan G) have the same exact benefits regardless of company. So, when comparing Medigap plans, consider the stability of the insurance company and price.

Four hands holding two white pieces of puzzle.

DR. RICH MADE THIS 5 MIN. SEGMENT - "YOUR TWO BASIC OPTIONS"

Take 5 minutes to listen to the main benefits and risks of enrolling in either Medicare Advantage or a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plan. It may help you decide.

POPULAR MEDIGAP PLANS (MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT OR PART E)

Plan F

  • In earlier years, Plan F was considered the "Cadillac" plan because it covered all of the deductibles and copays that Original Medicare does not cover. 
  • Plan F is usually the most expensive Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan.
  • Today, Plan F is only offered to those individuals who turned 65 before 2020. 
  • Experts predict that as the population of seniors covered by Plan F declines (through death and attrition), the rates for these plans will continue to soar.  

Plan G

  • Plan G has the same coverage Plan F except Plan G does not cover the Part B deductible.
  • Plan G has a lower monthly premium than Plan F.
  • Plan G is also the plan that people can choose without answering health questions when they are eligible for guaranteed issue coverage. Guaranteed coverage means no health questions are asked on the application.  In other words, you can't be denied for health reasons. [For example: You are new to  Medicare (e.g. turn 65 and/or lose employer coverage or the Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) is no longer offered in your area.

Plan N

  • Plan N  has the same coverage as Plan G with two exceptions: 
  1. Copay: Plan N requires a copay up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for an emergency room visit (waived if you're admitted to the hospital). 
  2. Excess charges: In some states, doctors are allow to charge up to 15% more than what Medicare covers. These are called "excess charges." [For example, if the doctor charges $200 for an office visit but Medicare only allows $125, Medicare will pay the doctor $75. You will pay a $20 copay (which totals to 80%) and the doctor can charge you $18.75 more (15% over the Medicare allowable amount of $125). In this example, you would pay $38.75 for the office visit, UNLESS you live a State that don't allow excess charges]. See list below.
  • Plan N premium is usually lower than Plans F and G. When shopping rates between Plans G and N, factor in how often you go to the doctor. [For example: If you only see the doctor once or twice a year and Plan G is $100/month but Plan N is $80/month, you would save between $200-$220 per year on Plan N, even paying copays]. 

States in which excess charges are not allowed:

  • Connecticut
  • Massachusetts
  • Minnesota
  • New York
  • Ohio
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • Vermont

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do you have a question that is not answered below?  Email [email protected]  if you cannot find an answer to your question and we may add it here!