Do you think that all your health insurance decisions will be over once you are eligible for Medicare? You'll eventually need to decide if you want to use traditional Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan. By knowing the difference between each of the four main parts of Medicare, you can make an informed decision about what is best for your needs.

Medicare Part A

Your hospital insurance coverage will fall under Medicare Part A, and it primarily covers any inpatient hospital stays that you may have. However, Part A also covers the usage of hospice care, skilled nursing facilities, and some other inpatient health services. This coverage will not have a premium associated with it under traditional Medicare as long as you paid the appropriate taxes during your working years.  

Medicare Part B

All of your primary outpatient services are covered with Medicare Part B, which includes preventative services, doctor visits, and lab tests. You'll even have coverage for durable medical goods, such as crutches or a wheelchair. There is typically a monthly premium for Medicare Part B, and it is based on what you can afford with your income. Once covered, you'll have an annual deductible that needs to be met for full coverage, along with paying a percentage of the total cost of a covered service. 

Medicare Part C

Medicare Advantage is known as Medicare Part C, which is a supplemental health insurance that you can purchase. Part C is offered by private health insurance providers, and every plan is approved by the government. When you sign up for Medicare Advantage, the government essentially gives the premium they pay for Medicare to the private health insurance provider, and that provider then gives you the Part A and B coverage along with additional benefits that they offer 

One main reason to pick Medicare Part C is the coverage limits. While Medicare Part A and B do not have a cap on out-of-pocket costs, Medicare Advantage plans do. This can give you some peace of mind that you won't pay more than your out-of-pocket max each year. It is also common to receive vision, dental, and hearing services as part of Medicare Part C and unique benefits such as free transportation to your doctor.

Medicare Part D

Your prescription drug coverage is what is included in Medicare Part D. You'll want to compare the different Part D plans to ensure that you are able to receive the medications that you need. Each private health insurance provider offers Part D plans with coverage for different medications, so you'll need to find one that includes your medications.

Contact a company like The Florentino Agency, LLC to learn more. 

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