As you get older, the Medicare decision process looms over you. When should you get healthcare? And once you get it, how do you select a Medicare plan that is best suited for you? There are tons of questions that come to mind when choosing a Medicare plan, but the first that pops up is – What exactly is Medicare?”
Medicare is a federal healthcare program with a prime focus of helping the elderly with their healthcare costs. According to the Medicare site, the program mainly focuses on helping people in the following categories:
People who are above 65.
People who are younger than 65 and collect Social Security Disability Insurance.
People who are suffering from an End-Stage Renal Disease (some of them may even be under 65)
Which One to Choose – Original Medicare Plan or Medicare Advantage Plan?
Each and every question, opinion or decision you make with regard to your Medicare is crucial, but the most vital decision you make is – what will the base of your healthcare going ahead in your future life will look like? There are two options available:
Original Medicare Plan
An Original Medicare Plan has either one or two parts—A and B. They cover miscellaneous medical charges such as stays at hospitals, visits to doctors, skilled nursing home care, and various other benefits. You can choose between either Part A and/or B in your plan, but you will need to buy both parts to get the added benefits like a Medicare Advantage Plan or Medigap.
Plan A: Covers medical costs dealing with hospital care, hospice care, nursing home care, skilled nursing home care, and more. Almost 55 million-plus people have Part A of Medicare.
Plan B: Covers doctors’ visits charges, preventive care (such as flu shots), “medically necessary services”, ambulance charges, etc.
Medicare Advantage Plan
This is considered to be the part C of Medicare. Advantage plans cover all the benefits of both A and B. But most Advantage plans also include vision, dental, and hearing coverage, which aren’t covered by either Part A or B. Some plans also pay for prescription drugs. These plans can be purchased from a private insurance company approved by Medicare.
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