Medicare provides good coverage. Once enrolled, you have three options: remain with Original Medicare, purchase a Medicare Supplement plan, or enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. If you stay with Original Medicare Parts A and B, you also need a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, also known as a PDP. Under Original Medicare, you typically pay 20% coinsurance for medically necessary Medicare-approved services, while preventive care usually has no coinsurance. Most people receive Part A at no cost and pay a monthly premium for Part B. In 2026, the standard Part B premium is $202.90 per month, although higher-income individuals may pay more for Part B and, in some cases, Part A. PDP premiums can range from a few dollars to more than one hundred dollars per month, depending on benefits, copays, and the formulary. All prescription drug plans include a maximum out-of-pocket limit; once you reach it, the plan pays 100% of covered prescription costs for the rest of the policy year.
Another option is to keep Original Medicare Parts A and B, purchase a Medicare Supplement plan, and enroll in a separate PDP. Depending on the plan, Medicare Supplement (aka medigap) coverage may pay some or all of the 20% coinsurance for medically necessary Medicare-approved services. Medicare Supplement plans do not use provider networks; by law, any provider that accepts Medicare must accept a medigap plan regardless of carrier. In 2026, most plans have deductibles, with one exception. The Part B deductible is $283, and some plans may also include a Part A deductible. Certain Medigap plans have a higher Part B deductible, which can lower the monthly premium. A separate PDP is still required.
The third option is a Medicare Advantage plan, which may or may not include prescription drug coverage and is commonly called an MA or MAPD plan. These plans are similar to coverage you may have had before Medicare or through an employer. They typically include copays, maximum out-of-pocket limits, and require you to use providers within the carrier’s network. Many also offer extra benefits, such as dental, vision, hearing, and over-the-counter allowances. Because MAPD plans include prescription drug coverage, a separate PDP is not needed.
There are many more points about Medicare, more than can be addressed here. You can find more information at Medicare.gov or you may contact my office to speak with a Medicare Specialist about specific to your healthcare.