When you are evaluating your coverage options, it is important to review the following:

• Number of times you visit the doctor in a year
• Plan benefits and monthly premium
• Relationship with your current doctor
• Hospitalization cost
• Drug coverage vs. Part D plan
• Any additional services, such as fitness, dental or worldwide coverage

You may also consider CMS’ Medicare Advantage Star Ratings, which rates health plans on a one-to-five scale, with 5 stars representing excellent performance.

Watch our Understanding How Medicare Works video to learn more.

Medicare Advantage (or Part C) Plans:

• Plans offered through private insurance companies that provide you with your Medicare Part A and Part B benefits. They also include prescription drug coverage.
• HMO or PPO plans where you have a network of doctors and hospitals to choose from for your care.

Medicare Supplement (or Medigap) Plans:

• Plans offered through private insurance companies that can help pay for some of the costs that Medicare Parts A and B don't cover. This would include copayments, coinsurance and deductibles.
• Allow you to go to any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare.
• Supplements your Original Medicare benefits.

To learn about plans and their monthly premium costs, visit Sharp Health Plan or UnitedHealthcare, which offer Medicare Advantage plans accepted by Sharp.

Watch our Medicare Advantage and Supplement Plans video to learn more.

Medicare Part A does not include drug coverage. Medicare Part B generally doesn't cover most prescription drugs used at home, but it does cover a limited number of outpatient prescription drugs under limited conditions. Generally, drugs covered under Part B are drugs you wouldn't usually give to yourself, like those you get at a doctor's office or hospital outpatient setting.

If you would like to have drug coverage, you may choose a Part D plan, which covers only drugs, or a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) that includes drug coverage. Visit Sharp Health Plan or UnitedHealthcare, which offer Medicare Advantage plans accepted by Sharp.

Watch our Medicare Part D video to learn more.