Getting Ready for Medicare: Choosing the Right Plan
What is Medicare?
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for individuals
65+ or younger people with certain medical conditions. Enrollment begins
three months before your 65th birthday and ends
three months after.
The Four Parts of Medicare
✔
Part A (Hospital Insurance) – Covers inpatient care, short-term nursing, and hospice. Most people don’t pay a premium.
✔
Part B (Medical Insurance) – Covers doctor visits, outpatient care, and medical equipment. Monthly premium:
$174.70 (2023). Covers
80% of costs; a
Medigap plan can help cover the remaining 20%.
✔
Part C (Medicare Advantage) – Alternative to Original Medicare, often including vision, dental, hearing, and drug coverage. Some plans offer
$0 premiums.
✔
Part D (Prescription Drugs) – Private plans covering medications. A Part D plan is
required to avoid lifelong penalties.
Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage
Original Medicare
➜ No
limit on out-of-pocket costs (Medigap can help).
➜ Covers
80% of medical expenses, leaving you responsible for 20%.
➜ Requires a separate
Part D plan for prescriptions.
Medicare Advantage
➜
Caps out-of-pocket expenses annually.
➜ Often includes
extra benefits (vision, dental, hearing, drugs).
➜ Lower premiums but may require
network restrictions & referrals.
Need help choosing the right plan?
📞 Call
415-524-8959 |
760-696-3573
📧 Email
pamm@benefitsbydesignca.com
Benefits by Design Insurance Services – Your expert guide to
Medicare, health, dental, vision, life, and travel insurance.
