Medicare advantage

Medicare can seem complex on your own. We’re here to help! This page is an easy-to-use Medicare plan finder that compares some of the available plans in your area and allows you to research them.  Whether it’s a Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage Part C Plan, or a Medicare Part D drug plan, we’ve got you covered. 

Click to Compare Plans

 Medicare is a federal insurance program that provides health insurance for people 65 and older and individuals younger than 65 who may qualify due to certain disabilities. There are four different parts to Medicare — Part A, B, C, and D. 

Medicare Part A is inpatient and hospital insurance. Part A coverage applies to:

• Inpatient hospital care
• Skilled nursing facility care
• Hospice care
• Some home health care

Medicare Part A can be thought of as your hospital insurance. It helps to pay for your stay at a health care facility, whether that be a hospital, skilled nursing facility, or nursing home, among others.  At these inpatient facilities, Part A helps cover many of the services, including meals, a semi-private room, prescription drugs taken during your treatment, and mental health care. Private nursing or rooms are not covered unless determined to be medically necessary.

In some circumstances, Part A can assist with services like hospice or home health care. 

Most people are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A when they turn 65 as long as they’re receiving Social Security benefits. They can also receive Part A premium free in most circumstances if they paid Medicare taxes while working.

If you elect not to receive Social Security benefits, you won’t be automatically enrolled at age 65. Depending on when you were born, 65 may not be your full retirement age. Instead, you may need to wait to begin receiving full retirement benefits. 

 Medicare Part B is outpatient medical insurance. Part B coverage applies to:

• Services from doctor
• Outpatient care
• Durable medical equipment
• Preventative services
• Some home health care

Medicare Part B helps cover medically necessary services, including doctor visits, ambulance services, and physical therapy. Part B covers many preventive and screening services  as well.

If you need any durable medical equipment, Part B can help you pay for it.

Durable medical equipment includes items that your primary care physician prescribes to you to use at home, like wheelchairs, blood sugar monitors, or hospital beds. It must be:

• Able to withstand repeated use, lasting for at least 3 years;
• Used for medical reasons;
• Generally, not useful to someone who isn’t ill or injured;
• Used in your home

Unlike Medicare Part A, all enrollees must pay a Monthly premium for part B. If you receive Social Security or similar benefits, these premiums come out of your benefit payment. In most cases, Medicare enrollees will pay a standard premium. 

Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) are privately managed, federally approved Medicare plans. Part C plans combine the benefits of Part A and B into one plan and may also include:

• Prescription drug coverage
• Dental, vision, and hearing coverage
• Wellness programs and telehealth services 

As an alternative to Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans must cover all Part A and B services. This means the plan aids in paying for hospital stays and most medical services (excluding hospice care). What sets Medicare Advantage apart is the additional benefits, which can include dental and vision services as well as membership in wellness and health management programs.

Many Medicare Advantage plans also include qualified prescription drug coverage, so you don’t need to purchase a stand-alone Part D drug plan. These plans are marketed as Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug, or MAPD, plans.

Medicare Part D plans provide beneficiaries with privately managed, federally approved prescription drug coverage. Medicare Part A and B don’t offer prescription drug coverage, so Part D helps:

• Manage prescription drug costs
• Provide lower cost-sharing for in-network and preferred pharmacies