Choosing a Medicare Plan

Couple on Laptop Researching Medicare Plans

Medicare Coverage

The different parts and plans of Medicare can be combined to provide the coverage you want to meet your specific health needs. Here’s a look at what’s possible.

Understanding Medicare

Origina1 Medicare and Medicare Advantage Overview
Original Medicare	Medicare Advantage (Part C)
Part A & Part B This is Original Medicare. It covers hospital and doctor visits.	To sign up for a Medicare Advantage (Part C), you must: Have Parts A & B, and Live in the plan’s service area You must pay your part B premium to be enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. Dual Special Needs Plan (DSNP) To enroll in a DSNP plan, you must: Have both Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B Have Medicaid/Medical Assistance through your state Live within the plan’s service area Part A + Part B + Part C with Part D + Medicaid If you are eligible for a DSNP plan, you’re not limited to the Annual Enrollment Period; you may enroll during the first nine months of the year.
Part A & Part B + Part D Original Medicare with prescription drug coverage added.	Part C & Part D Most Medicare Advantage Plans already include prescription drug coverage.
Part A & Part B + Medicare Supplement Original Medicare with a Medicare Supplement plan to help pay for costs not covered by Parts A & B.	Part C + Part D If a Medicare Advantage plan does not come with prescription drug coverage, you can add it.
Part A & Part B + Part D + Medicare Supplement Original Medicare with a prescriptions drug and Medicare Supplement plan.	Part C + ~~Medicare Supplement~~ You cannot have a Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plan at the same time.

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In most cases, yes.

If you have a pre-existing condition, Original Medicare (Parts A and B) will still cover your health care costs.

Typically, Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans cannot deny you coverage.

Medicare Supplement and prescriptions drug (Part D) plans cannot deny you coverage based on your medical history or what medications you’re taking.

With Medicare, you’re never stuck with the coverage you have.

Every year, you can make changes to your Medicare plans during the annual enrollment period between October 15 and December 7. During annual enrollment, you can:

Change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan — or vice versa

Switch from a Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage to one without — or vice versa

Drop a Medicare Advantage plan

Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to a different one

Add or drop a prescription drug plan

Change from one prescription drug plan to another

Like your plan? Don’t worry, you don’t have to make any changes. Your current Medicare plan should automatically renew on January 1.

Medicare Coverage

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Choosing a Medicare Plan

Medicare Coverage

Explore More of the Basics

Do I qualify for Medicare if I have a pre-existing condition?

When can I change my Medicare coverage?