Medicare plans, explained plainly.
Medicare can feel overwhelming. We'll walk you through what each plan type actually covers, what it costs, and which situations each one is built for.
Everything in one plan.
Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurers that contract with Medicare. They cover everything Original Medicare covers — hospital (Part A) and medical (Part B) — and most also include prescription drug coverage. A lot of plans add dental, vision, and hearing benefits on top of that.
The big appeal is simplicity. One plan, one premium, one network. For people who want their healthcare consolidated and predictable, Advantage plans are often the right fit.
What it covers
- Hospital and inpatient care (Part A equivalent)
- Doctor visits, outpatient services (Part B equivalent)
- Prescription drug coverage (Part D) in most plans
- Dental, vision, and hearing in many plans
- Fitness benefits and wellness programs
Good fit if you:
- Want all-in-one coverage from one plan
- Are comfortable with a provider network
- Want dental and vision included
- Prefer lower or $0 monthly premium
Things to consider:
- Uses a network (HMO or PPO structure)
- Plans vary significantly by county
- Annual plan changes — review each year
- Prior authorization required for some services
Good fit if you:
- Travel frequently or split time in different states
- Want to keep any doctor who accepts Medicare
- Prefer predictable costs over lower premiums
- Have ongoing or complex health needs
Things to consider:
- Higher monthly premium than Advantage plans
- Does not include prescription drug coverage (need separate Part D)
- Underwriting applies outside open enrollment
Fill the gaps Original Medicare leaves behind.
Original Medicare covers a lot, but it doesn't cover everything. Copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles can add up fast — especially if you have regular doctor visits or a hospitalization. A Medicare Supplement plan picks up where Medicare leaves off.
The other advantage of Medigap: no networks. You can see any doctor in the country who accepts Medicare, which matters if you travel or want access to specialists without a referral system.
What it covers (varies by plan letter)
- Medicare Part A coinsurance and hospital costs
- Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayments
- Part A deductible
- Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance
- Foreign travel emergency coverage
Prescription drug coverage that actually matches your medications.
Part D is standalone prescription drug coverage. If you're on Original Medicare and a Medigap plan — rather than a Medicare Advantage plan that includes drugs — you'll need a separate Part D plan to cover your prescriptions.
The single biggest mistake we see: people picking a plan based on premium alone without checking whether their actual medications are on the formulary. We run the comparison for you before you enroll.
What it covers
- Prescription medications at retail and mail-order pharmacies
- Tiered formulary with varying copays by drug type
- Protection against catastrophic drug costs
- Coverage gap (donut hole) protections under current law
Good fit if you:
- Have Original Medicare with a Medigap plan
- Take regular prescription medications
- Want protection against high drug costs
Things to consider:
- Formularies vary by plan — compare yours first
- Late enrollment penalty if you delay unnecessarily
- Review annually as formularies change
Additional coverage we can help with
Core Medicare only goes so far. These products fill in the areas it was never designed to cover.
Dental & Vision Plans
Most Medicare plans offer limited dental and vision coverage at best. Standalone dental and vision plans give you real coverage for cleanings, procedures, glasses, and contacts.
Long-Term Care Insurance
Medicare doesn't cover extended nursing home or in-home care. Long-term care insurance protects assets and relieves family members from bearing that cost alone.
Life Insurance
Final expense and whole life options designed for seniors. We help clients find coverage that makes sense for their situation without overpaying for what they don't need.
Not sure which plan fits?
That's the whole reason we exist. Tell us about your health needs and budget, and we'll walk you through what makes sense.