COMMUNITY WELLNESS · MEDICARE RESOURCES
Understand your Medicare options
There are different ways to receive Medicare coverage. The right questions depend on your doctors, medicines, budget, and other coverage. This guide explains the main parts without ranking plans for you.
MEDICARE QUESTIONS
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Original Medicare: Part A and Part B
Original Medicare includes hospital insurance (Part A) and medical insurance (Part B). You can generally use providers who take Medicare. Original Medicare has no yearly out-of-pocket limit unless you have supplemental coverage or other insurance that helps pay your share.
You can consider a separate Medicare drug plan (Part D) and, if available to you, a Medigap policy to help with some costs. Ask how any employer, retiree, Medicaid, or veterans coverage works with Medicare before changing it.
Medicare Advantage: another way to receive Medicare
Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private companies approved by Medicare. They provide Part A and Part B benefits, and most include Part D. Networks, referrals, prior authorization, costs, and additional benefits vary by plan.
A plan may have a low or no additional monthly premium, but that does not mean all care is free. Review your Part B premium, other premiums, and the costs and rules of the specific plan.
Where Part D and Medigap fit
- Part D is prescription drug coverage. Check your medicines and pharmacy against the plan’s current information.
- Medigap is supplemental insurance for Original Medicare. It is not used to pay Medicare Advantage costs. Enrollment rights and policy availability depend on your situation and state.
- Other coverage can change the choices available to you. Check with the organization that provides it before switching or dropping it.
Questions to compare
| What to compare | Original Medicare | Medicare Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Doctors and hospitals | Providers who take Medicare; confirm whether they accept assignment. | The plan may require network providers for non-emergency care. |
| Drug coverage | Usually a separate Part D plan if you want drug coverage. | Most plans include Part D; check the specific plan. |
| Covered out-of-pocket costs | No yearly limit without supplemental or other coverage. | An annual limit applies to covered Medicare services; check what counts. |
| Details to verify | Supplemental coverage, drug costs, and provider participation. | Networks, prescriptions, approvals, costs, and additional benefits. |
Related guides
Official information: Medicare’s coverage comparison · Medigap timing and rights
Reviewed October 21, 2026. Educational information from Community Wellness. Confirm coverage, costs, eligibility, and deadlines with Medicare, your plan, or the agency that runs the program. Community Wellness is not Medicare or a government agency.