After careful consideration, you'll need to decide between original Medicare coverage or a Medicare Advantage plan. Below are several considerations between both choices:

1. Cost

Costs in Original Medicare:

There’s no limit on how much you pay out-of-pocket per year unless you have supplemental coverage, such as a Medicare Supplement plan.

Costs in Medicare Advantage:

Plans have a yearly limit on your out-of-pocket costs. If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, once you reach a certain limit, you’ll pay nothing for covered services for the rest of the year. This option may be more cost effective for you.

2. Coverage

Coverage in Original Medicare:

Medicare covers medical services and supplies in hospitals, doctors’ offices, and other health care facilities. Services are either covered under Part A or Part B. A Medicare supplement plan may also help pay for out of pocket expenses that are Medicare eligible but not otherwise covered. A prescription drug plan (Part D) will also help to cover expenses related to medications.

Coverage in Medicare Advantage:

Plans must cover all of the services that Original Medicare covers. Some plans offer benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t cover like vision, hearing, or dental.

3. Prescriptions

Coverage in Original Medicare:

You'll need to join a prescription drug plan, also known as Part D.

Coverage in Medicare Advantage:

Most Medicare Advantage Plans include drug coverage.

4. Choice of Doctors and Hospitals

Choice in Original Medicare:

You'll be able to see any doctor or hospital that accepts original Medicare.

Choice in Medicare Advantage:

You may need to use health care providers who participate in the plan’s network, which may also require the insurance company's pre-authorization. If so, find out how close the network’s doctor or pharmacies are to your home. Some plans offer out-of-network coverage.

5. Travel

Travel coverage in Original Medicare:

Original Medicare generally doesn’t cover care outside the U.S. You may be able to buy supplemental insurance that offers emergency care when you travel outside of the U.S. Regardless of choice, Travel Medical Insurance should always be considered when traveling abroad, for many reasons - with most coverage only dollars per day. Learn More about Travel Medical Insurance HERE.

Travel coverage in Medicare Advantage plans:

Usually don’t cover care you get outside of the U.S. Regardless of choice, Travel Medical Insurance should always be considered when traveling abroad, for many reasons - with most coverage only dollars per day. Learn More about Travel Medical Insurance HERE.

Generally, people sign up for Medicare when they’re first eligible to avoid a gap in coverage and/or late enrollment penalties. For most people, Medicare eligibility starts three months before turning 65 and ends three months after turning 65. If you’re already getting Social Security benefits, you’ll be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B (you don’t need to apply). However, because you must pay a premium for Part B coverage, you have the option of turning it down. You’ll get your Medicare card about three months before you turn 65.