3 Options for Medicare

1. Original Medicare

     HOSPITAL:  Original Medicare has a $1,632 deductible in 2024 then pays 100%

     MAJOR MEDICAL:  You are covered for 80% of major medical claims

     PRESCRIPTION DRUGS:  There is NO COVERAGE

2. MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT

     Covers hospital and major medical. NO COVERAGE for Prescription drugs (Part D).  

     This is a PPO type plan which gives you the freedom to see any doctor or hospital in the U.S. without        getting a referral from your family doctor.  There is an annual deductible of $240 in 2024 and then the       plan pays 100% for hospital and major medical.  The plan has monthly premiums which are in                   addition to your Medicare Part B premiums.

     Medicare Supplement plans (also known as Medigap plans) are standarized.  All plans with the               same letter (A-D, F,G and K) offer the same basic benefits with the main difference being the                  premium.

    NO COVERAGE for Prescription drugs (Part D).  You must purchase a separate plan for                        prescription drugs.

3. MEDICARE ADVANTAGE HMO PART C

        This is either an HMO or PPO plan which in most cases covers hospital, major medical and                         prescription drugs.

        The HMO plan has a network of doctors and hospitals which you must use.  You must get a referral             from your family doctor to see a specialist.  The PPO plan allows you to use doctors outside the                  network but at a higher copay.

Medicare Advantage plans may have additional benefits like vision, eyeglasses, free gym membership    and hearing aids. In some areas, the Medicare Advantage plans have $0 premiums and $0 copays for   doctors and basic medical services.