Medicare Advantage vs. Original Medicare: How to Choose

No images? Click here   By Elizabeth O'Brien | September 17, 2023 Every fall, Medicare ads blanket mailboxes like so many leaves. As we approach the start of the annual open enrollment period next month, Medicare Advantage plans are vying for attention. These plans are run by private insurers that contract with the government to provide bundled Part A hospital coverage, Part B outpatient coverage, and often Part D drug coverage. Many have $0 premiums—and include extras like free gym memberships—so on first glance they’re a better deal than original Medicare plus a Medigap supplement plan. Medicare Advantage plans can indeed be a cost-effective option for healthy beneficiaries. But if you get sick, you can run into roadblocks that you don’t encounter on original Medicare. At that point, it can sometimes be too late to go back to original Medicare plus a Medigap supplement plan.  Bottom line? The decision at age 65 of whether to enroll in Medicare Advantage or original Medicare is very consequential. Learn more in today’s edition.  Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage: How to Choose      Changes Are Coming to Medicare Drug Costs. What It Means for You. The process of price negotiations has begun. The Expected Social Security Raise Just Got Bigger The actual COLA for 2024 will be announced next month. High-Quality Dividend Stocks Are on Sale. Now Is the Time to Buy. Dividend aristocrats, anyone? Buying an E-Bike? Consider This First. As convenient as they are, e-bikes bring problems you won't have with a standard bike.  The 10 Best Income Plays for the Second Half of 2023 There are many attractive options—here's where to look.    More Barron's Retirement Coverage       Investment Fraud Soars  (Next Avenue) Can We Retire Early to Latin America on $2.5 Million? (MarketWatch)   *** Stay on top of the tech trade with a daily rundown of top-performing tech stocks and the big names making news. Sign up for the Tech Report newsletter by Investor's Business Daily here.      Social Security   Medicare   Required Minimum Distribution calculator   Getting Ready to Retire? Here's a Planning Guide for the 5 Years Before Your Last Day.   Finra's Guide to Social Isolation and the Risk of Investment Fraud   The SEC's Guide to Identity Theft, Data Breaches, and Your Investment Accounts           This mailing was sent to aymentanaze.news@blogger.com,  because you signed up to be a Barron's newsletter subscriber. Manage Email Preferences | Privacy Notice | Cookie Notice | Contact Us Barron's | 1211 Avenue of the Americas | New York, NY 10036 ©2023 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved .         Unsubscribe