Medicare Plans

Once you submit your Medicare application, it is time to compare plans to see which best suits you and your family.:

There are many options, but only 3 categories for you to choose from:

ENROLLING IN ORIGINAL MEDICARE

Original Medicare includes Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B. Original Medicare is also an 80/20 plan, where Medicare (The Government) pays for 80% of all of your Healthcare Costs after you have reached your annual Part B deductible, which is $283 in 2026. After that, they will continue to pay their 80% share, and you are responsible for the other 20%.

With Original Medicare, you can see any doctor and go to any hospital that accepts Medicare anywhere in the US and in all US Territories.

Nearly 94% of doctors accept Medicare. Doctors who “Accept Medicare” simply agree to the Medicare Fee Schedule that CMS makes. Most doctors who choose not to accept Medicare are Pediatricians who do not see adult patients, Psychiatrists, Psychologists, naturopathic doctors, and homeopathic doctors.

ENROLLING IN ORIGINAL MEDICARE WITH A MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT OR MEDIGAP PLAN

Medicare Supplement and Medigap mean the same thing; people just use two different phrases. You can choose from 11 Medicare Supplement/Medigap plans, and each can cover all or part of the 20% Medicare does not pay. Private insurance companies offer all Medigap/Medicare Supplement plans. These plans have an extra premium.

Many people love knowing how easy Medicare Supplement Plans are to budget for. Especially for those who travel often to see friends and family, and those with homes in different states. In Arizona, Mayo Hospital and Mayo Clinic both accept Original Medicare; however, they do not accept any Medicare Advantage plans.

For example, with the Medicare Part B monthly premium of $202.90 in 2026, $120 for a Medicare Supplement Plan N, and $0 for a Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan, your monthly healthcare cost is $320.90 and $3,850 per year. The only out-of-pocket costs would be for your prescription medications and the Annual Part B Deductible of $283 in 2026. This is compared to an average Medicare Advantage MOOP of $5,700, with many network restrictions.

Once you have a Medicare Supplement/Medigap Policy, you can never be denied coverage. Your policy renews month after month as long as your premiums are not more than 90 days in arrears. You also don't have to change your plan from year to year, as Medicare Advantage plans require their members to do. And, you can change Plans or Carriers any day of the year, but you will need to pass Medical Underwriting for any new policy, unless you reside in a state that has a Medicare Birthday Rule in place.

ENROLLING IN MEDICARE PART C (MEDICARE ADVANTAGE)

Advantage Plans are private insurance plans from insurance carriers. Most plans combine Medicare Part A, Medicare Part B, and Medicare Part D in one plan, which many people refer to as All-In-One plans. These plans are either HMOs (Health Maintenance Organizations) or PPOs (Preferred Provider Organizations). These plans have a MOOP (Maximum Out-of-Pocket) amount for the year. This means that the plan will pay for everything only after you reach your MOOP.

Some plans have additional monthly premiums, but most do not, depending, of course, on the state you reside in. Usually, you are only covered for services in the County you live in. If you are outside your Service Area, you are covered only at an Urgent Care Facility or by going to a Hospital Emergency Room for treatment.

HMO Plans require their members to choose a PCP (Preferred Care Provider) and get referrals and approval from their plan and their PCP to see any specialist. Additionally, these plans have a strict network of Providers, Hospitals, Labs, imaging, and Skilled Nursing Facilities you must use. PPO Plans usually prefer but do not require you to choose a PCP, and they allow you to make your own appointment with any Specialist in their PPO network. Overall, Providers stay with PPO Plans more often than providers in HMO networks.

Most Medicare Advantage Plans have the following Benefits, even though the amount of these benefits will vary from plan to plan:

Routine Dental Coverage
Routine Hearing Coverage
Routine Vision Coverage
Health Club Membership

In order to properly compare the exact benefits a particular Medicare Advantage plan offers, you should refer to both the Summary of Benefits (SOB) and the Evidence of Coverage (EOC) for a given plan.

Note that a $1,000 Dental Benefit is typically $250 per quarter and usually does not roll over unused amounts.

Everyone enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plan must still pay the monthly Part B premium, which is $202.90 per month in 2026.

There are co-pays and/or coinsurance for just about everything with Medicare Advantage plans. Including A Per-Day amount for A Hospital stay and 20% coinsurance for Cancer Treatments.

You must choose a Medicare Advantage plan each fall during the Medicare AEP (Annual Enrollment Period). If your current plan is still available and you like it, great, you can have the same plan next year. But if your plan changes or is no longer available, you're responsible for picking a new plan each year.

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Braden Medicare Insurance's Medicare Special Needs Plans Poster Offering Extra Care And Coverage To Those Who Qualify

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A Special Needs Plan (SNP) provides benefits and services to people with specific severe and chronic diseases, certain health care needs, or who also have Medicaid. SNPs include care coordination services and tailor their benefits, provider choices, and list of covered drugs (formularies) to meet best the specific needs of the groups they serve. SNPs are either HMO or PPO plan types

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When it comes to deciding what the best Medicare Plan is for you and your family, you have to put some effort into the process. I mean, you could do the old tried-and-true "Guess and Be God" trick, but that rarely works. I get it, Medicare is not easy to understand; it seems daunting, so you want to get enrolled, pick a plan, and move on. But honestly, it takes a bit more effort on your part to set yourself up for success in retirement.

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When it comes down to what the cost of a Medigap Policy is, there are many things you should know that you will never know unless you work with an honest, ethical Medicare Broker like Braden Medicare Insurance Services. The vast majority of medicare agents/brokers will usually just tell you (or email you) the rates for the top 3-5 Medicare Supplement plans. But is that enough information for anyone to make a sound financial decision that could have a long-lasting effect o

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HOW TO COPE WITH MEDIGAP PREMIUM INCREASES

Over 12 million Americans carry Medigap policies to help cover the gaps that Original Medicare leaves behind, such as deductibles, coinsurance, and Medicare cost-sharing. For years, annual premium increases were modest. That has changed. In early 2026 rate filings, Medigap Plan G premiums rose between 12% and 26% across many states. This article explains why premiums are climbing so sharply, what your options look like, and the concrete steps you can take to protect your cove

Braden Medicare Insurances' Medicare Supplement Underwriting Poster

UNDERSTANDING MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT UNDERWRITING

One of the most important decisions one can make once they turn 65 is their one chance to enroll in any Medicare Supplement plan of their choosing with Guaranteed Issue Rights, and they do not have to answer any Medical Questions. Once that Initial Enrollment Period or Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period has passed, there is no guarantee you will be approved for a Medicare Supplement plan in most states. You’ll need to answer health questions and pass underwriting to

Braden Medicare Insurance's Poster Why Some People Refer To Medicare Advantage as Medicare Dis-Advantage.

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But popularity doesn’t equal suitability. This article takes a clear-eyed look at why Medicare Advantage plans are bad for many seniors, particularly due to restricted provider networks, prior-authorization barriers, out-of-pocket costs, and year-to-year instability. Understanding these disadvantages before you enroll or re-evaluate your current plan can protect both your health and your finances. Medicare Advantage plans can be frustrating due to their restricted networks, f

Braden Medicare Insurance's 2026 Medicare Premiums Poster

UNDERSTANDING ALL OF THE MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT/MEDIGAP PREMIUM INCREASES

If you’ve been enrolled in a Medigap plan for a while, you probably noticed Premium increases were not just higher, they were noticeably outside the normal range most people had come to expect. Our goal with this article is to try and bring some clarity and honesty to why Medicare Supplement and Medigap Premiums have been increasing at not just an elevated rate the past few years, but I think we could safely say at an Alarming Rate

Braden Medicare Insurances' Medigap Plan G Poster

BREAKING DOWN MEDIGAP PLAN G

If you’ve started shopping for a Medigap/Medicare Supplement plan, you may have noticed something confusing. A Plan G from one company can have a very different price tag than the same plan from another. This is because while the government standardizes the benefits of every Plan G, it does not have the authority to standardize the pricing. This is actually excellent for every Medicare beneficiary. It means you have the power to shop around and find the best deal.

Braden Medicare Insurances' Medicare Special Needs Plans Poster

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Whether you're getting ready to enroll in Medicare or want to understand your options better, learning about Medicare Special Needs and Critical Special Needs plans is important. Even if it doesn't pertain directly to you, you may have a friend or family member who would find this information practical and useful.

WHY MEDIGAP PLANS OFFER UNMATCHED COVERAGE AND PEACE OF MIND IN RETIREMENT

Many people understandably relate retirement to enrolling in Medicare and/or Social Security, as they are suddenly thrust into making important decisions that can shape not just their healthcare, but also their finances in retirement. In this article, we look into why we believe that Original Medicare with a Medigap/Medicare Supplement plan offers unmatched coverage and peace of mind in retirement.

PULLING BACK THE CURTAIN ON MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS

I began my career as an Independent Medicare Broker over 10 years ago. I am stating this to illustrate that we help anyone who needs help with Medicare. I am absolutely committed to being a great listener, an understanding teacher, and a bulldog when it comes to defending my clients and doing whatever I can to keep them safe and financially whole throughout their retirement years. I take pride in helping and serving others.

Braden Medicare Insurance's How To Find The Best Medicare Advantage Plan Poster.

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS IN 2026

Medicare Advantage plans, also known as Medicare Part C, are offered by private insurance companies and are all-in-one plans that cover hospital insurance, hospital stays, doctor visits, and medical expenses. Medicare Advantage Plans Advantage plans combine the same basic benefits as Medicare Parts A and B and often include additional services such as vision, dental, or wellness programs.

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