Medicare Plan Choices
Medicare Advantage Plans
When you join a Medicare Advantage plan 
, you get all of your Medicare-covered health care through that plan. It may include Part D prescription drug coverage. Usually, there are extra benefits and lower copayments than with Original Medicare . However, depending on your plan, your primary care doctors , specialists, or hospitals may have to be in the plan's network. Exceptions to this rule are when network providers are not available within the plan service area, when you are in need of urgent care while outside of the plan service area when you receive out-of-area dialysis services or in the event of an emergency.
In some cases you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan without Part D coverage and get your Part D coverage separately. If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan and want drug coverage, you must get prescription coverage through the Medicare Advantage plan if it is offered.
Medicare Advantage plans include the following types of plans.
Medicare Advantage HMO Plans
Medicare Advantage HMOs are ideal for people who take advantage of preventive care to stay healthy. These individuals are comfortable working with a primary physician to coordinate their care with contracting plan specialists and hospitals. A Medicare HMO covers everything Medicare does and more, such as preventive health care screenings.
Medicare Advantage PPO Plans
With most Medicare Advantage PPOs , you pay less if you use doctors, specialists, and hospitals in the plan's network. You'll also have the flexibility to go out of the network anytime you want for services. Keep in mind, you will have higher out-of-pocket costs when you receive out-of-network services. Medicare PPOs are designed to meet the needs of people who want to take a more active role in managing their own health care. Medicare PPO plans are also ideal for members who spend winters outside the network service area (within the United States).
Medicare Advantage PFFS Plans
Similar to other types of Medicare Advantage plans, many Medicare Advantage Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS ) plans offer comprehensive medical and optional prescription coverage. Most Medicare PFFS plans are designed to meet the needs of people who want to see any Medicare-participating provider without network limitations or referral requirements. Providers must agree to accept the health plan's terms and conditions for participation and payment. If you have providers you prefer to see for your care, it's a good idea to check with them before you enroll to see whether they will provide for your care under the Medicare Advantage PFFS plan.
A Medicare Advantage Private Fee-for-Service plan works differently than a Medicare supplement plan. Your doctor or hospital is not required to agree to accept the plan's terms and conditions, and thus may choose not to treat you, with the exception of emergencies. If your doctor or hospital does not agree to accept our payment terms and conditions, they may choose not to provide health care services to you, except in emergencies.
Medicare Supplement Insurance Policies
Also known as "Medigap" policies , these Medicare supplement plans are offered by private insurance companies to help you cover the health care costs not paid for by Original Medicare, such as co-insurance , copayments, and deductibles —"gaps" in Original Medicare coverage .
Besides filling in some of the coverage gaps, some of these Medicare supplement insurance policies provide benefits that Original Medicare does not cover, such as worldwide emergency health care.
With a Medigap policy—as with Original Medicare—you can go to any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare. Medicare will first pay its share of your cost then your Medigap policy will pay its share, reducing your out-of-pocket cost. In addition to the monthly Part B premium , you will pay a monthly premium to the private insurance company providing you the policy. In most cases, these plans are good companion plans with a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan (PDP).
Take Advantage of Your Free Review Period
You have, by law, at least 30 days to review a Medicare supplement policy. If you decide you don't want the coverage, you can get a full refund of any premiums you've paid during this "free look" period.
