Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage?
A practical starting point for understanding your choices. Check the official sources for details that apply to you.
Original Medicare
Original Medicare includes Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). You can generally see any doctor or hospital in the United States that accepts Medicare. If you want prescription coverage, you can usually join a separate Part D drug plan. People who are eligible may choose to buy a Medigap policy to help pay some costs Original Medicare does not pay.
Original Medicare does not have a yearly limit on what you pay out of pocket for covered Part A and Part B services. Consider how you would handle those costs when comparing options, especially if you do not have other coverage.
Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are offered by Medicare-approved private companies. You need Part A and Part B to join, and you continue to pay your Part B premium. Most plans include prescription drug coverage; some offer extra benefits. What is included and what you pay vary by plan.
A plan can use a provider network and service area, and you may need referrals or prior authorization for some care. Plans have a yearly out-of-pocket limit for covered Part A and Part B services. Check whether your doctors and hospitals participate, how out-of-network care works, and the current plan documents before joining.
Compare the details
Start with the care you actually use. Look up each doctor and hospital in the plan directory and confirm with the provider and the plan. If you travel or spend part of the year elsewhere, ask how non-emergency care works outside the service area.
Then compare monthly premiums, deductibles, copayments or coinsurance, the yearly out-of-pocket limit where applicable, and drug coverage. Check each prescription and pharmacy against the specific plan. An advertised extra benefit is useful only if its rules and coverage meet your needs.
Official Medicare sources
Rules and plan details may change. Check Medicare.gov for current information.