Before you buy health coverage, you should consider the following:

For example, how concerned are you about the possibility of unexpected or unusually high health costs? Even people in excellent health can have an unexpected event and suddenly have a lot of medical expenses. If you want this protection, it is important to protect yourself with good coverage before you are ill or have a change in health status.

The Original Medicare Plan has substantial cost sharing for many covered services and does not cover some types of health care (e.g., dental or prescription drugs). Therefore, many people with Medicare obtain some type of additional coverage beyond Original Medicare that protects them. Additional coverage that might be available to you could be:

• Retiree insurance coverage from a current or former employer or union;
• Medicaid and Medicare Savings Programs (for those with limited income and resources);
• Medicare supplemental (Medigap) insurance;
• A Medicare Advantage plan;
• A Medicare Prescription Drug Plan;
• Veteran's benefits; or
• Military retiree benefits (e.g., Tricare for Life).

Determine the benefits of the most interest to you. The Original Medicare Plan does not cover extra benefits such as prescription drugs, routine physical exams, or dental services. In addition, many Medigap policies and Medicare Advantage plans do cover extra benefits. Check the Detailed Plan Report in this tool to see which options offer the benefits that are of interest to you.

3. How important is doctor choice to you?

• You can go to any doctor under the Original Medicare Plan but you may pay more if your doctor does not participate in Medicare (i.e., does not always take assignment).
• You can go to any doctor under the Original Medicare Plan with a Medigap policy*. Some Medigap policies even cover the extra charges you may be billed for if your physician does not accept assignment (these include Medigap Plans F, G, I, and J).
• Many Medicare Advantage plans require you to see a physician that is in the plan's network. Some Medicare Advantage plans allow you to see any physician but you may have to pay more (or you may have higher cost-sharing).

4. What do other people with Medicare think about the plan?

Medicare provides information on beneficiary satisfaction for the Original Medicare Plan and for Medicare Advantage plans. You can view this information under the Quality tab in this tool.

Medicare provides information on quality of care for Medicare Advantage plans. Medicare also provides some quality of care information for the Original Medicare Plan. You can view this information under the Quality tab in this tool.