Watauga Medicare Plans

Watauga Medicare Plans

Medicare in Texas comes from the United States federal health insurance program enacted in 1966 to cover hospital (Part A) and medical (Part B) expenses for beneficiaries. Over time, Medicare has expanded its program to offer even wider coverage, often referred to as Medicare Part C and Medicare Part D coverage. Also, Medicare coverage is delivered not only by the federal government but also by private insurance companies that are contracted by Medicare to provide benefits to beneficiaries. With so many connecting pieces and providers of coverage, deciding on your Medicare coverage may seem like an exhausting task. Ashford Insurance is here to help you learn about the parts of Medicare and how they can work together in Texas to help you evaluate which Medicare coverage options might be best for you.

Medicare Advantage and Medigap are both ways to get health insurance if you have Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private companies and are an alternative to Original Medicare. Medigap plans are sold by private companies and supplement Original Medicare.

Medicare Advantage

Medicare Advantage plans are a type of Medicare health plan offered by private companies. They typically cover all of your Medicare Part A and Part B benefits, as well as some additional benefits, such as dental, vision, and hearing coverage. Medicare Advantage plans also have different rules than Original Medicare, such as different cost-sharing amounts and networks of doctors and hospitals.

Medigap

Medigap plans are private health insurance plans that can help you pay for some of the costs that Original Medicare doesn’t cover, such as deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. There are 10 different Medigap plans available, each with its own set of benefits. Medigap plans are standardized, so you know what you’re getting no matter which plan you choose.

How to choose between Medicare Advantage and Medigap

The best way to choose between Medicare Advantage and Medigap is to compare the costs and benefits of each option. You should also consider your health needs and preferences, as well as the doctors and hospitals you want to use.

If you have a chronic health condition, you may want to consider a Medicare Advantage plan that offers specialized care for your condition. Medicare Advantage plans also tend to have lower out-of-pocket costs than Medigap plans, so they may be a better option if you have a high deductible or coinsurance.

If you want to have more flexibility in choosing your doctors and hospitals, you may want to consider a Medigap plan. Medigap plans also allow you to keep your Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, while Medicare Advantage plans may require you to switch to a different prescription drug plan.

No matter which option you choose, make sure to compare the costs and benefits carefully before making a decision.