So many options, which Medicare plan is right for you?

Choosing who will provide your health and medical needs is often confusing, more as we age. Getting older comes with its specific health concerns and the right doctor can make a big difference to your quality of life.

Finding the right doctor is the first step, but then the right doctor who is attuned to your needs also needs to be covered by your insurance. If you have paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years and meet income guidelines, you will automatically be enrolled in traditional Medicare, which is known as Part A and Part B when you turn 65. However, most people find that they need more coverage than traditional Medicare provides to ensure they can afford potential medical treatments. This is where the other parts of Medicare come in.

Here’s how to get the coverage and care you need.

Choose a Medicare plan

Medicare plans cover a range of options at different prices and have similar names. This is a brief rundown of each plan, according to Medicare.gov:

• Part A — Most people qualify for Part A without paying a premium. It covers stays in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and nursing homes as well as hospice and home health care.
• Part B — You’ll need to pay a premium for Part B. In 2020, the standard premium is about $150, but that cost will vary based on income. You’ll also have a deductible and coinsurance, with no annual out-of-pocket maximum. Together, Parts A and B are known as “Traditional Medicare.”
• Part C — As an alternative to Parts A and B, there are Medicare Advantage plans. With more benefits and more options for care, you can customize your health insurance based on your needs. Medicare.gov asks a series of simple questions and then generates a list of possibilities based on your location and preferences.
• Part D — The prescription drug benefit is an optional program you can enroll in to help pay the cost of prescriptions. You can sign up for this if you have either Part A or Part B coverage. Some Medicare Advantage plans will also include Part D-like coverage.

Find the right provider

With so many options, Medicare can be confusing. The government’s website offers a comparison tool that asks you to enter your location and a preferred provider or health condition to find the doctor for you. The results generated will help you find someone who accepts your plan and specializes in the care you need.

If you need more help finding a local physician who accepts Medicare and has experience in disease prevention, health promotion, counseling, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic and acute illnesses, and patient education, Hatfield Medical Group has primary care providers throughout Arizona and is available to answer questions and guide you to the right doctor. They even have insurance experts on hand to answer your questions about what coverabe is right for you.

Understand Medigap

One other decision you’ll have to make is whether to enroll in Medicare Supplement Insurance, also called Medigap. This plan is sold by private companies as an add-on that can help with copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles of whatever plan you enroll in.

You must have Medicare Parts A and B to qualify. You cannot sign up for the policy if you have chosen a Medicare Advantage Plan, however.

Choosing a plan and physician isn’t easy, as there is no one-size-fits-all solution. For help finding doctors in Arizona who are focused on giving seniors better, longer lives with quality, compassionate care, visit HatfieldMedicalGroup.com.