Senior Health Insurance

Navigating the Medicare Maze

Trying to find your way through the “Medicare Maze” can be difficult. While millions of Americans count on Medicare for their basic healthcare coverage, many people are overwhelmed by the details and options surrounding the program. There are “Parts,” and “Plans,” rules for eligibility and timelines for enrollment, and even discussion about a “donut hole.” Rest assured, if you are confused or frustrated, you are not alone.

At J.M. Thompson Insurance, we are here to help you navigate your way through the maze. We can explain how Medicare works, and which other insurance products are available to provide the coverage you desire. As an independent agency, we offer health insurance for seniors from multiple highly rated insurance carriers, with names you will recognize. We will help you compare the plans, coverage, costs and networks, and let you choose which option works best for you, based upon your needs and circumstances.

Senior Health Insurance Options

Medicare Supplement

A Medicare Supplement, also called a Medigap policy, is private health insurance that helps supplement Original Medicare (the insurance offered by the federal government.) This means the Supplement helps pay some of the health care costs that Original Medicare doesn't cover, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. These are “gaps” in Medicare coverage that a Medicare Supplement helps to fill.

Part D: Prescription Drug Plan

Medicare Part D is an optional program that provides insurance to help you pay for prescription drugs. Beneficiaries can enroll in a standalone Part D drug plan that goes alongside their Original Medicare and Medicare Supplement, or they can choose a Part D drug plan that is built-in to a Part C Medicare Advantage plan. Medicare Part D is a federal program administered through private insurance companies.

Medicare Advantage Plan

A Medicare Advantage Plan, also called a Part C Plan, is a type of Medicare health plan offered by a private company that contracts with Medicare. Medicare Advantage Plans provide all your Original Medicare benefits. Medicare Advantage Plans include HMOs, PPOs and other types of health care plans. Most Medicare Advantage Plans offer prescription drug coverage. These plans may offer extra coverage, such as vision, hearing, dental, and/or health and wellness programs.

Medicare for certain people under age 65

Original Medicare is available for certain people with disabilities who are under age 65. These individuals must have received Social Security Disability benefits for 24 months or have End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or Amyotropic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease). Eligible persons can obtain Medicare Advantage plans, and in certain states, also have the option of a Medicare Supplemental plan.

Let J.M. Thompson Insurance help you navigate the maze.

From explaining the options all the way through to enrollment, J.M. Thompson Insurance will walk through the Medicare maze with you. Contact us today to compare your senior health insurance options.

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.