Understand Your Current Original Medicare‡ Coverage
While Original Medicare‡ covers a lot of your basic health needs, it doesn't include prescription drugs, dental, vision, hearing, or extras like fitness memberships. That’s why more than 74 percent of people who have Original Medicare‡ opt for additional coverage.1
A Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D), or Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan from Anthem can help you cover those additional needs not met by Original Medicare.‡
Compare Medicare Plan Options Side By Side
If you have Original Medicare,‡ you can add a Medicare Supplement plan and a Prescription Drug (Part D) plan, or enroll in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan. Here’s an overview of their key benefits.
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Dental, vision, and hearing plans can be added. |
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Part A $0 Monthly Premium
Part B $174.70 Monthly Premium2
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$137 - $266 Monthly Premium3
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$32.74 Monthly Premium4
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$18 Or Low Monthly Premium5 |
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20% copays For outpatient care can add up |
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Once you're enrolled in a Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement plan, you must continue to pay your Original Medicare‡ Part A and Part B monthly premiums. You can’t be enrolled in both a Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage plan at the same time.
For Prescription Drug Plans (Part D) you must be enrolled in Original Medicare‡ Part A and/or Part B, and continue to pay your Part A and/or Part B monthly premiums.
Find Additional Coverage That’s Right For You
Review your options for more healthcare coverage and learn when and how to enroll.
Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans
Lower Out-Of-Pocket Costs
Medicare Supplement plans combine with Original Medicare‡ (Parts A and B) coverage to help you pay for out-of-pocket costs, like deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.
Standardized Benefits
These plans typically have standardized benefits, and each plan is named with a letter, like A, F, G, and N. The benefits for these plans are the same, no matter which insurance carrier offers them.
No Network Restrictions
With this type of plan, you can visit any doctor or facility in the U.S. that accepts Medicare patients. They’re a great choice if you travel or spend part of the year in a different location.
Optional Drug Coverage And More
Medicare Supplement plans do not include prescription drug coverage, and most do not include dental, vision, or hearing coverage. You can add these benefits with standalone plans, including a Medicare Part D plan for prescription drugs.
When To Enroll
To enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan, you must have Original Medicare‡. Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period lasts for six months starting with the month you are 65 or older and enrolled in Part B.
Be sure you don’t miss your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. Depending on the state you live in, you can be denied coverage due to previous or current health conditions.
Prescription Drug (Medicare Part D)
Why Add Drug Coverage?
A Medicare Part D plan provides prescription drug coverage, which can be especially important if you’re managing a condition that requires regular medication.
Standalone Or Built-In Options
A standalone Part D plan can be added to your Original Medicare‡ or Medicare Supplement plan. Part D is included with most Medicare Advantage plans.
Low Copays
Part D plans may have $1 copays for preferred drugs at preferred pharmacies.
How It Works
Companies offering Part D plans, like Anthem, will have a network of pharmacies to fill prescriptions and a list of drugs covered at different price levels or tiers.
When To Enroll
Most people enroll in a Part D plan or a Medicare Advantage plan that includes Part D during their Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), the seven months that brackets their 65th birthday month. You also can add or change your Medicare Part D plan during the Annual Enrollment Period, which is October 15 to December 7. If you don’t enroll when you’re first eligible during IEP, you may be subject to a late enrollment penalty.
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
All-In-One Plans
Medicare Advantage plans, or Medicare Part C, are all-in-one plans that include everything Original Medicare‡ covers – and much more.
$0 Premiums Plus Benefits
Many Medicare Advantage plans have $0 monthly premiums, although some plans may have higher premiums. These plans include additional benefits like these:
- Prescription Drug (Part D) coverage
- Dental, vision, and hearing coverage
- Meal deliveries after a hospital stay
- SilverSneakers® fitness memberships
- Health-related transportation
- Allowances for over-the-counter health items, groceries, utilities, and more (benefits may vary based on plans, locations, and individual conditions)
- Convenient prepaid benefits card
When To Enroll
You can enroll in, add, change, or drop your Medicare Advantage plan during these periods:
Enroll: Initial Enrollment Period, which starts three months before your 65th birthday month and ends three months after it
Add Or Change: Annual Enrollment Period, October 15 to December 7
Change (One Time Only): Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, January 1 to March 31
Add, Drop, Or Change: Special Enrollment Period, based on certain life changes, like moving to a new area.
Check Your Doctors And Prescriptions
When you’re ready to start shopping, check to see if your providers participate in Medicare and are in our Medicare Advantage network. Also, compare prescription drug costs before selecting a plan.
Learn Medicare Basics
Medicare doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Boost your knowledge and confidence with our free guide, or read our articles.
Frequently Asked Questions For Those With Original Medicare‡ Only
When considering enrolling in more than Original Medicare‡, think about your healthcare coverage needs and your budget. You may find that a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan provides the additional coverage you need with low monthly premiums. Medicare Supplement insurance may be an option if you want to fill the gaps in coverage from your Original Medicare‡ and prefer a plan with a set monthly premium and limited out-of-pocket costs for Medicare-covered services (based on the plan enrolled).
Original Medicare‡ provides limited coverage for prescription drugs, usually only for prescriptions needed for care while you're in the hospital or Skilled Nursing Facility. If you take prescription medications on a regular basis or expect to in the future, a Medicare Part D plan or a Medicare Advantage Plan that includes Part D may be a good choice to help cover your medication costs. Remember, if you don't enroll in a Part D plan when you're first eligible, you may be subject to a Part D late enrollment penalty.
Original Medicare‡ only covers very limited dental, vision, and hearing (DVH) coverage related to specific medical conditions. It does not include coverage for routine dental care, hearing tests, vision tests, eyeglasses, etc. Costs for basic care can add up quickly. Additional dental, vision, and hearing coverage will help cover these costs.
The vast majority of people who have Original Medicare‡ end up adding more coverage to meet their healthcare needs.1 Prescription drug costs, the 20% coinsurance for doctor visits, and deductibles for inpatient stays can be significant and add up quickly. Even if you're in good health now and Original Medicare‡ adequately covers most of your costs, your future healthcare needs could change quickly. Also, if you don't enroll in a Prescription Drug (Part D) plan when you are first eligible, you may be subject to Part D late enrollment penalties.
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‡Original Medicare: Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance)
1For example, 74% of Medicare beneficiaries were enrolled in prescription drug (Medicare Part D) coverage in 2019. Source: Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) Office of Health Policy
https://aspe.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/f81aafbba0b331c71c6e8bc66512e25d/medicare-beneficiary-enrollment-ib.pdf
2These are monthly premiums for most people. Your actual payments may vary based on how long you worked and contributed to Medicare via payroll deductions, or your income. https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/medicare-costs
3Medicare Supplement Plan G for a 65-year-old non-smoker in California. Source: Explore your Medicare coverage options (accessed June 2023) Medicare.gov .
4https://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/11579-medicare-costs.pdf
Anthem Blue Cross is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Company is an LPPO plan with a Medicare contract. Anthem Blue Cross is an HMO SNP plan with a Medicare contract and a contract with the California Medicaid program. Enrollment in Anthem Blue Cross, Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Company depends on contract renewal. Medicare.gov.