General rule is to understand your health needs, your budget, and finally your preferences. Local health plan advisors can also provide great help with summarizing the benefits of all plans and focus your selections on what is best for you. Please let us know if you would like to speak to one. Please call 760 606 0030 for further assistance.

Original Medicare (Medicare Parts A and B) is provided by the federal government. Medicare Part C is an alternative for original Medicare. These plans are offered and administered by Medicare-approved private insurance companies. You may have heard of Medicare Advantage, but are you wondering what a Medicare Advantage Plan is? Medicare Advantage is just another name for Medicare Part C . A Medicare Advantage Plan combines Medicare Part A and Part B hospital and doctor coverage in to one plan, often with additional benefits such as regular dental, vision, and hearing care. Many Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage (Medicare Part D). A Medicare Advantage Plan also offers protection against an annual out-of-pocket limit. This limit varies by plan. Your Medicare Advantage eligibility is based on your original Medicare eligibility. If you're enrolled in Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B, you're usually eligible for a Medicare Advantage Plan. You must also live in an area that offers Medicare Advantage Plan benefits.

Medicare is the federal health insurance program for: U.S. citizens or legal residents, AND is also one of the following: Age 65 and over Younger than 65 with qualifying disabilities Diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) Diagnosed with end-stage renal disease (ESRD)

Original Medicare includes the part A and part B Medicare Part A is Hospital insurance and helps cover cost if you are staying in a hospital, skilled nursing facility or hospice care Medicare Part B is Medical insurance and helps cover cost for doctor services, outpatient care, durable medical equipment and other medical services. If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan you must continue to pay you Part B premium

Here are some other services that are not covered by Original Medicare: Long-term care Cosmetic surgery Help with bathing, dressing, eating, etc. (custodial care) Routine eye exams, eyeglasses or contacts Most care while traveling outside the U.S. Dental exams, most dental care or dentures Most chiropractic services Comfort items such as a hospital phone, TV or private room Hearing aids or related exams or services Acupuncture or other alternative treatments Routine foot care

Deductible: A set amount you pay out of pocket for covered services each year before Medicare or your plan begins to pay. Coinsurance: A percentage of the cost for a covered service that you pay when you receive it. For example, Medicare might pay 75% of the covered service and the remaining 25% would be paid by you. Copay: A fixed amount you pay at the time you receive a covered service. For example, you might pay $35 when you visit the doctor or $25 when you fill a prescription.

The Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is 7 months including the month of your 65th birthday and 3 months before and 3 months after. If your birthday falls on her 1st of the month, the IEP will start and end 1 month early. Your IEP is based on your 25th month of benefits if you are eligible for Medicare for a qualifying disability.

Medicare prescription drug plans (Part D) help pay for medications. You can get a standalone Part D plan or get a Medicare Advantage plan that includes drug coverage. Medicare supplement insurance (MediGap) pays some or all costs not paid by Original Medicare including copays, coinsurance, deductibles. Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) combine Part A and Part B coverage. They often include drug coverage and other benefits you don’t get with Original Medicare. In Summary, Parts A + B Parts A + B plus Part D prescription coverage Parts A + B plus a Medicare supplement plan Parts A + B plus both Part D prescription coverage and a Medicare supplement plan otherwise known as Part C or Medicare Advantage