Is there differences between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage?

The history of Medicare Advantage Part C began in 2003, when Original Medicare and Medicare Choice plans were combined with Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage to form Medicare Advantage MA-PD.

Medicare Advantage plans not only cover Original Medicare Parts A (hospitalization) Part B (medical/health provider services), and in most cases, Medicare Advantage also covers Part D (prescription drugs) coverage.

Original Medicare itself, DOES NOT actually offer Part D prescription drug service. The Part D prescription drug requirement is actually serviced by the CMS-approved Medicare Advantage Insurance Carriers

Its VERY IMPORTANT to understand that Original Medicare ONLY covers Medicare Parts A and B. Original Medicare DOES NOT by itself cover Part D prescription drugs, even though Part D is mandated by the federal government. This is an important distinction between original Medicare and Medicare Advantage.

Another IMPORTANT distinction is that Medicare Advantage is REQUIRED by the federal government to cover Medicare Parts A & B with at least the same benefits as Original Medicare. Optional Part C, Medicare Advantage Plans, may include all three Parts A, B, and D prescription drug plans.

If you want to keep Original Medicare Parts A and B, we offer separate Part D-approved stand-alone prescription drug coverage that satisfies the mandated Parts A,B, and D requirements, as well as Medigap Supplement plans for Original Medicare Parts A and B.

Keep in mind that if you decide to enroll in Original Medicare, you may seriously consider purchasing a Medigap Supplement that can help defray the costs of hospitalization and medical provider services.

Medigap Supplements are only offered if beneficiaries have Original Medicare Parts A and B. It should be noted that optional Medigap Supplemental Plans (Supplements) have separate premium costs in addition to the mandated and required premiums for Medicare Part B (Medical Services) and Part D (Prescription Drug) plans. We take the time to explain to you the differences between the required and optional coverages and your optional Medicare Advantage plans.

Other health services that ARE NOT provided by Original Medicare Parts A & B or Medigap Supplements are Dental Vision, Hearing or gym memberships.

Many of these benefits are covered by many of the Part C, Medicare Advantage PPO and HMO plans without any additional premiums compared to the required Part B premium that you are required to pay for Original Medicare.

MedHelpCenter.us recommends that you call the Senior Health Insurance Agency at 813-592-8568 for further explanation.