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We wrote this to help you better understand Medicare concisely and transparently. Medicare consists of four parts. Medicare Part A,  Part B, Part C, and Part D  MEDICARE PART A - Pays for Inpatient Hospitalization, Hospice, and Skilled Nursing Care. MEDICARE PART B - Pays for outpatient doctor visits, Lab Tests, Screenings, and DME. MEDICARE PART C - Is Medicare Advantage MEDICARE PART D - Covers Prescription Medications.

The Medicare AEP (Annual Enrollment Period) runs from October 15th through December 7th every year. During AEP, about 48 million Medicare Beneficiaries will make at least one change to their Healthcare portfolio for the 2026 Plan Year. The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) occurs each fall. During the AEP, Medicare beneficiaries can change their current Medicare Advantage Plan or their Stand-Alone Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan.

WHY ARE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS BAD? Misinformation and a lack of understanding can lead to Medicare Advantage nightmares. So, we are here to help clear the air. Medicare Advantage plans are not always problematic. However, they are certainly not a good fit for everyone. You should only enroll in Medicare Advantage coverage if it is the best fit for your unique situation. Below, we clarify why these seemingly too-good-to-be-true plans have a less-than-stellar reputation an

The easiest way to avoid excess charges is to use physicians who accept Medicare assignment. You will never be billed more than Medicare allows for your healthcare services. It’s always a good idea to ask your doctor if they accept assignment before you make an appointment. Don’t forget to ask the same question of any Medicare provider, such as lab facilities and home health care companies. You can also find providers in your area that participate with Medicare using the Med

Once you start receiving Social Security benefits or Railroad Retirement benefits, Medicare premiums will be automatically deducted from those payments. But until then, you may be better off paying Medicare online by using Medicare’s automatically deducted monthly payment system called Easy Pay If you did not work enough quarters to qualify for Premium Free Medicare Part A, or if you are a High Wage Earner who has been assessed with an IRMAA surcharge, you will be billed for

Looking for the Best Medicare Supplement Plan? The best plan for you is not always the cheapest plan. However, working with a Certified Medicare Planner like Michael Braden at Braden Medicare Insurance is a great start,

Thankfully, there are not nearly as many new concerns as last fall, but I think it's still good to share the information.  The most significant nationwide trend is that healthcare costs continue to rise rather than level off. We have seen that MOOP amounts continue to increase, along with Medicare Advantage, Part B Premiums, Part B Deductibles, Medicare Supplement Premiums, and Medicare Part D Deductibles.

Once you’re enrolled in Parts A and B, the next step is determining how you want to receive your benefits. You have two primary options: stick with Original Medicare, which allows you to visit any provider and any hospital in the US, or choose Medicare Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage, which bundles hospital, medical, and often drug coverage into one plan.

Medicare is the most widely used health insurance program for individuals aged 65 and older. If you are nearing eligibility, it is essential to understand what Medicare is and how its four parts work. However, Medicare does not cover everything. You may need to enroll in additional plans to obtain full coverage.

Everything you need to know about Medicare Supplement Insurance plans, including how to change plans and keep your premiums as low as possible which is very important as we age.

What are Medicare Advantage Plans? Medicare Advantage Plans cover all Medicare services.  Some Medicare Advantage Plans also offer extra coverage, such as vision, hearing, and dental coverage.   

Perhaps the most significant benefit is choice and portability. A Medicare Supplement or Medigap plan allows you to choose ANY Doctor, go to ANY Hospital ANYWHERE in the United States, and you are covered, as long as the Doctor and Hospital both accept Medicare's Assignment/Fee Structure.

MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLANS You must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and/or Part B to be eligible to enroll in Part D. Medicare drug coverage is only available through private plans. If you have Medicare Part A and/or Part B and you do not have other drug coverage (creditable coverage), you should enroll in a Part D plan.

Getting older can be challenging.  The healthcare options available to you may seem confusing or unnecessary.  Your inexperience in this new chapter, coupled with ongoing health concerns, creates a recipe for disaster.   With age comes wisdom, and knowing how to navigate the system will demonstrate it.  Getting the coverage and protection that you need is much easier than it seems.  Here are three essential parts of enrolling in Medicare that will help guide you through the p

A Medicare Supplement plan is an excellent option for people who prefer the government-run Medicare program but want a few more of their costs covered. This article explains what a Medicare Supplement plan is, how it works, the benefits each plan offers, and mo

Both Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B are 80% government-paid, with the remaining 20% borne by the beneficiary or patient. With Original Medicare, you are free to choose a Doctor or Hospital that accepts Medicare Terms for payment. (Approximately 94% of all Doctors accept Medicare.

The best way to compare Drug plans for your specific medications is to speak with your Medicare Broker. They typically can offer plans from multiple Insurance companies. Here at Braden Medicare, we are contracted with every Medicare Part D Plan in Arizona. They will compare your medications, whether you have Original Medicare with a Stand-Alone Medicare Part D Drug Plan or a Medicare Advantage Plan that includes Prescription Drugs.

However, there is a stark difference. Medicare is the National Health Insurance Program for Americans age 65 and over, as well as those with ALS or Renal Failure, or those who have been issued a Disability designation by the Social Security Administration. Medicaid operates at the state level and helps provide Health Care and other vital services to low-income individuals, seniors, single mothers, and children.

Medicare HMOs are common because of the lower premiums they often offer. In some plans, that premium may be as low as $0. However, you must remain enrolled in and pay for Medicare Part B. You usually must also use in-network providers, except in an emergency.  MEDICARE ADVANTAGE HMO PLANS = MEDICARE HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION PLANS In HMO Plans, you generally must get your care and services from providers in the plan's network, except:

Each plan that offers prescription drug coverage under Medicare Part D must provide at least the standard level of coverage set by Medicare. Plans can vary the list of prescription drugs they cover (called a formulary) and how they place drugs into different "tiers" on their formularies. (A formulary is a listing of all of the drugs/medications that a particular plan has available to its members.  All Medicare Part D Plans must have two drugs available in each category.