Questions to ask yourself when choosing a Medicare plan.
What should I consider when choosing a Medicare plan?
There are several points to consider.
Do you take medications?
If so, look at the prescription drug coverage provided by a plan. What is the deductible? To get the most accurate representation of what you can expect to pay out-of-pocket and what the plan will pay, review the plan’s formulary. For more information, see What’s the deal with pharmacy tiers?
Is the plan offered where you live?
Some plans require members to live within a specific state or county. Verify if the plan offers coverage where you live.
Do you plan to travel?
Some plans allow you to receive care anywhere in the United States, and some allow you to receive care anywhere in the world. Consider which health plans might best suit your travel plans, should you need care while away from home. Visit the Benefits while traveling webpage.
Is there a certain provider or facility you want to continue seeing?
If you wish to continue seeing a particular care provider, you can check if the provider is in the plan’s network by calling the network’s customer service. We don’t recommend asking the provider.
Do you need ongoing care?
If you need a particular type of care, see what the copay or coinsurance is for that service. For example, if you regularly receive physical therapy or if you need hearing aids, what portion of costs does a plan cover?
Are you providing coverage for a dependent?
If you are considering a plan not just for yourself, but for someone else, review the questions in this section with their needs in mind. For example, perhaps you do not need regular prescriptions, but your spouse, partner, or child does.
To learn more about selecting a Medicare plan, see the other parts of this series:
- Terms you need to know (Part 1)
- PEBB’s resources that can help (Part 3)