unlock your medicare coverage combinations

 Now that we have looked at the different coverage options, let's see how some of them can be combined to provide you with more complete health care coverage.

Original Medicare, Part D and Medigap can work together. Medicare Advantage and Part D can also work together in certain situations. Medicare Advantage and Medigap do not work together.

In total, there are seven different Medicare coverage combinations.

If you get Original Medicare (Parts A & B) you can choose to have only Part A and Part B, or you can add a stand-alone Part D plan, a Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap) plan or both.

1) Original Medicare (Part A and/or Part B) alone * 

2) Original Medicare (Part A and/or Part B) PLUS a standalone prescription drug plan (Part D)

3) Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) PLUS a standalone prescription drug plan (Part D) PLUS a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan

4) Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) PLUS a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan *

* Remember if you choose an option that DOES NOT include prescription drug coverage (Part D) and you DON'T have "creditable coverage" you may be subject to a penalty.

If you choose to get your Part A and Part B benefits through a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan, you may or may not need additional coverage. Most Medicare Advantage plans already come with built-in Part D prescription drug coverage, but some do not. You can add a stand-alone Part D plan to the following types of Medicare Advantage plans only: Private-Fee-For-Service (PFFS) Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare Medical Savings Account (MSA) plan.

5) Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) with included prescription drug coverage (Part D)

6) Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) without prescription drug coverage (Part D) *

7) Medicare Advantage Private Fee-for-Service plan without drug coverage (Part C) OR a Medicare Savings Account (MSA) plan PLUS a standalone prescription drug plan (Part D)

* Remember if you choose an option that DOES NOT include prescription drug coverage (Part D) and you DON'T have "creditable coverage" you may be subject to a penalty.

• Original Medicare (Parts A & B) comes directly from the federal government.
• Medicare Part D, Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap) plans come from private insurance companies only.
• There are seven different ways to combine Medicare coverage choices to ensure your health and budget needs are met.
• Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans do not work together.