What is Medicare?
Medicare is a federal health insurance program designed for people aged 65 and over. In addition, this program is available to younger people who meet certain criteria. People with End-Stage Renal Disease and disabilities can benefit from this insurance program even if they are under the age of 65.
3 Steps to Choosing a Medicare Plan
This graphic shows the steps you might take when choosing Medicare coverage that’s right for you. It’s a great place to start if you want to compare Medicare plans or need a quick review of Medicare and all its parts.
You’ll see the main features of each Medicare coverage option side-by-side to help you understand how the different parts of Medicare work with each other.
1. Decide if you want Original Medicare OR Medicare Advantage
Original Medicare
Part A: Hospital Insurance
- Hospital Stays
- Skilled Nursing Facilities
- Hospice care
- Some Home Health Care
You can enroll in Medicare Part A once you turn 65. If you’re already collecting Social Security disability benefits, you’ll be automatically enrolled in Part A.
Learn more about Original Medicare (Part A)
Original Medicare
Part B: Medical insurance
- Hospital Stays
- Skilled Nursing Facilities
- Hospice care
- Some Home Health Care
Medicare pays 80 percent of approved charges and you pay about 20 percent. Part B is optional because you have to pay a monthly premium and meet a deductible before Medicare will pay benefits.
Learn more about Original Medicare (Part B)
Medicare Advantage
Part A: Hospital
Part B: Medical
Part D: Prescription
- Combines Original Medicare, Part A and Part B, into 1 plan
- Often includes Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage
- May come with extra programs and services not offered by Original Medicare
These plans are part of the government’s Medicare program, but are offered and managed through private insurers, like Cigna Healthcare, and may offer plan extras not found in Original Medicare. You must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B to join.
Get more information about Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans.
2. If you choose Original Medicare, decide if you need to add supplemental coverage
Skip this step, if you choose Medicare Advantage—Medicare Supplement doesn’t work with Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C).
Medicare Supplement Plan
- Helps pay some health care costs (co-payments, co-insurance and deductibles) that Original Medicare does not cover
- Works with Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans, but not with Medicare Advantage plans (Part C).
- Offers nationwide coverage with no network restrictions2
A Medicare Supplement policy (also known as a Medigap) is private health insurance in addition to Original Medicare. It helps pay approximately 20% of the Medicare expenses that Original Medicare does not cover, after the Part B deductible is met.
Get more information about Medicare Supplement Insurance
3. Decide if you need to add prescription drug coverage to either Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage
Part D: Prescription Drug Coverage
- Helps lower prescription drug costs
- All Part D plans must offer at least a standard level of coverage set by Medicare
- Some Medicare Advantage Plans come with built-in prescription drug coverage
Part D plans are part of the government’s Medicare program, but they’re offered and managed through approved private insurers, like Cigna Healthcare. Enrollment in a separate Part D plan is not automatic. You need to select and enroll in a plan.
Find out more about Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans
Can I Still Get Medicare with Primary Coverage?
Although health insurance is not required in the state of Texas, it is a highly beneficial form of insurance that can help you save hundreds on your medical care every year. With that in mind, it’s no wonder so many people search for medical care.
If you currently have what is known as ‘Primary Coverage’ through your employer or your spouses’ employer and want to keep it, you can do so. However, you’ll need to check that your current insurance provider meets the coverage standards.
Holding on to your primary coverage allows you to opt out of Part B of your Medicare plan while keeping the other coverage benefits. This won’t affect your social security status, but there could be some drawbacks later down the line.
If eventually, you want to opt into Part B of Medicare, you will more than likely have to pay a higher premium to do so. This is just one of the many things you need to consider when choosing your Medicare plan.
Although Medicare is typically reserved for people over the age of 65, it is never too early to start planning for your future. If you want to know more about Medicare and how it can help cover the cost of your medical care,
Can I Still Get Medicare with Primary Coverage?
Although health insurance is not required in the state of Texas, it is a highly beneficial form of insurance that can help you save hundreds on your medical care every year. With that in mind, it’s no wonder so many people search for medical care.
If you currently have what is known as ‘Primary Coverage’ through your employer or your spouses’ employer and want to keep it, you can do so. However, you’ll need to check that your current insurance provider meets the coverage standards.
Holding on to your primary coverage allows you to opt out of Part B of your Medicare plan while keeping the other coverage benefits. This won’t affect your social security status, but there could be some drawbacks later down the line.
If eventually, you want to opt into Part B of Medicare, you will more than likely have to pay a higher premium to do so. This is just one of the many things you need to consider when choosing your Medicare plan.
Although Medicare is typically reserved for people over the age of 65, it is never too early to start planning for your future. If you want to know more about Medicare and how it can help cover the cost of your medical care,