Choosing the right Medicare plan: A simple guide
Navigating Medicare options can feel overwhelming, but we’re here to make it easier. Whether you’re new to Medicare or considering making a change, understanding your choices is the first step toward confident coverage.
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Understanding Medicare basics
To choose a Medicare plan, you first need to understand a bit about Medicare. What types of plans are there? Part A, Part B, Part C, Part D—what do they all mean and how do they work together?
Medicare comes in parts, each covering specific services:
Original Medicare (Parts A & B): Part A covers hospital care, while Part B covers doctor visits and outpatient care.
Medicare Advantage (Part C): Offered by private insurers like HealthSpring, these plans combine Parts A and B, often including prescription drug coverage and additional benefits like dental and vision.
Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D): Helps pay for the cost of medications.
Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)1: Also from private insurers, these plans help pay out-of-pocket costs such as copayments and deductibles.
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HealthSpring has Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans.
Factors to consider when choosing
Selecting the right plan depends on your personal health needs and preferences:
Health Care Usage: Do you visit doctors frequently or require specialist care?
Prescription Drugs: Are you taking medications regularly?
Preferred Doctors and Hospitals: Do you have specific providers you want to continue seeing?
Additional Benefits: Are services like dental, vision, or hearing important to you?
Travel Considerations: Do you spend time in multiple states or travel often?
Chronic Conditions: Are you living with a chronic condition that may require more frequent medical care?
Hospitalizations: Are you planning to have surgery—either in a hospital or as an outpatient?
Reflecting on these questions can help you identify which plan aligns best with your lifestyle.
Steps to choose your Medicare plan
Assess Your Needs: Consider your health status, budget and preferred healthcare providers.
Compare Plan Options: Look at the benefits, costs and coverage details of available plans.
Seek Expert Advice: Consult with licensed insurance agents or use online tools to explore your options.
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View Medicare Supplement state disclosures, exclusions, and limitations
1 Insured by American Retirement Life Insurance Company, HealthSpring Insurance Company, HealthSpring National Health Insurance Company, Loyal American Life Insurance Company or Medco Containment Life Insurance Company. In Kansas, insured by HealthSpring Insurance Company, HealthSpring National Health Insurance Company and Loyal American Life Insurance Company. American Retirement Life Insurance Company and Medco Containment Life Insurance Company are not available to residents of Kansas and Kentucky. In Illinois, Maryland, New Mexico and Utah, insured by HealthSpring National Health Insurance Company domiciled in Ohio. In North Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania, insured by HealthSpring Insurance Company. In Idaho, insured by Medco Containment Life Insurance Company.
In some states, HealthSpring Insurance Company is also known as Cigna Insurance Company and HealthSpring National Health Insurance Company is also known as Cigna National Health Insurance Company. Both companies are in the process of obtaining state approvals to change their names by removing “Cigna” from the name and replacing it with “HealthSpring”.
View Kansas disclosures, exclusions, and limitations
Notice for persons eligible for Medicare because of disability:
In the following states, all Medicare Supplement insurance plans are available to persons eligible for Medicare because of disability: California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas (ESRD/ALS), Vermont and Wisconsin.
Tennessee Medicare Supplement Policy Forms
Plan A: HIC-MS-AA-A-TN; Plan F: HIC-MS-AA-F-TN; Plan G: HIC-MS-AA-G-TN; Plan HDG: HIC-MS-AA-HDG-TN; Plan N: HIC-MS-AA-N-TN.