Other Options to Consider
As you've read in this section, Medicare Advantage Plans are a way to get combined Medicare Part A and Part B benefits, and in most cases, prescription drug coverage (Part D). They may also provide more coordinated health care to help keep you healthy and lower your costs. Some plans (like HMOs) might use networks, where you may only be able to see certain doctors or go to certain hospitals.
Your Medicare decisions are important because they affect things like how much you pay and what is covered. Before making any decisions, learn as much as you can about the types of plans and coverage available to you. Here are other options you may want to consider:
- Original Medicare Plan allows you to use any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare, see What is the Original Medicare Plan?.
- Medicare prescription drug coverage can be added to some Medicare Advantage Plans, see What is Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage.
- other Medicare plans, Government, and private insurance may be available to you, see Other Medicare Plans, Government, and Private Insurance.
(Primary Source: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services - Medicare and You Handbook. This content may have been enhanced by this site to include further examples, explanations, and links.)