Medicare · Medicare Advantage · Medigap · Original Medicare · Part D · Health Plans Compared
The most important health coverage decision most Americans ever make happens at age 65, usually under time pressure and with incomplete information. Medicare Advantage looks cheaper upfront — and it often is, until you get seriously sick. This guide explains every path, what the numbers actually mean, and the critical window most seniors don’t know they only get once.
🏥 The Four Paths — Understanding What Actually Exists
When a senior turns 65 and enrolls in Medicare, they face a choice that most people don’t realize has long-term consequences. The four main paths are: Original Medicare alone (Parts A & B — no cap on what you could owe, no drug coverage), Original Medicare + Medigap + Part D (comprehensive, predictable, expensive in premiums but often cheaper when sick), Medicare Advantage (Part C) (replaces Original Medicare, often $0 premium, bundled drugs and extras, network-restricted), and Medicare Advantage + Part D included (most common MA plan type, convenience of one plan). The Part B premium of $202.90/month in 2026 is paid on top of any plan you choose — it is not optional for most beneficiaries. Understanding these paths before choosing is the entire ballgame.
📋 What Every Senior Needs to Know — Straight Answers First
The most important facts about senior health plans, answered plainly. Each is covered in more depth below.
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What is the best health insurance plan for seniors? Original Medicare + Medigap Plan G: best for predictable costs and no network restrictions · Medicare Advantage: best for lower monthly costs when healthy · Neither is universally “best” — it depends on how much care you useThe honest answer is that “best” depends entirely on your health situation, your doctors, and how much risk you can absorb financially. For seniors with chronic conditions, multiple specialists, or high annual healthcare use, Original Medicare plus a Medigap Plan G typically wins on total annual cost — even though premiums run $120–$180/month for Plan G on top of the $202.90 Part B premium. Once you pay the $283 Part B deductible, Plan G covers essentially everything Medicare approves, with no co-pays, no networks, and no prior authorization. For seniors in good health who rarely use the healthcare system, Medicare Advantage plans — averaging $14/month in added premium nationally — can be genuinely less expensive over years when no serious illness occurs. The critical caveat: if a serious illness hits and your Medicare Advantage plan requires prior authorization that gets delayed or denied, the out-of-pocket consequences can be severe. The out-of-pocket maximum on MA plans runs up to around $9,350 in-network for 2026.
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Why do people say Medicare Advantage plans are bad? Prior authorization delays and denials for medically necessary care · Narrower networks (not all doctors accept your plan) · Out-of-pocket maximum up to ~$9,350 in-network · Hospitals dropping MA contracts in 2026 · Benefits can change year to yearThe criticism of Medicare Advantage is specific and has substantial federal backing. A Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General report found that 13% of prior-authorization denials by MA plans actually met the clinical coverage rules of traditional Medicare — meaning care that should have been approved was rejected. An AMA survey found 91% of physicians reported that prior authorization delays led to negative patient outcomes. In 2026, prior-authorization denial rates jumped 56% over prior-year levels, and new federal rules were required specifically to force faster responses. Separately, hospital systems in multiple states are ending their MA contracts because the plans pay less than Original Medicare for identical services and deny claims at higher rates. For a relatively healthy senior, these issues may be invisible. For a senior who needs surgery, extended rehabilitation, chemotherapy, or complex specialist care, the additional friction of prior authorization, network limits, and potential denials can translate directly into delayed care, surprise bills, and out-of-pocket costs approaching the plan’s annual maximum.
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What does Medicare Part B cost in 2026? Standard Part B premium: $202.90/month · Part B deductible: $283/year · Higher-income seniors pay more (IRMAA surcharges) · This premium is paid regardless of whether you have Medicare Advantage or Original MedicareMedicare Part B — which covers doctor visits, outpatient care, and preventive services — costs $202.90/month for most beneficiaries in 2026, up significantly from $185/month in 2025. This is not optional if you are enrolled in Medicare, and it applies whether you chose Medicare Advantage or Original Medicare. Seniors with higher income pay an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) surcharge on top of the standard premium, ranging from an additional $74.00 to $443.90/month depending on their 2024 tax return income. The Part B annual deductible is $283 in 2026. The Part A hospital deductible is $1,736 per benefit period. IRMAA thresholds begin at individual income above $106,000 (or married joint income above $212,000) from two years prior. If your income decreased significantly due to retirement or another life event, you can appeal the IRMAA amount using Form SSA-44.
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What does a Medigap Plan G cover and is it worth the cost? Plan G covers: Part A deductible ($1,736), all Part A and B coinsurance, skilled nursing facility coinsurance, Part B excess charges, foreign travel emergency · Does NOT cover: Part B deductible ($283/year) · Worth it: yes, for anyone who expects to use healthcare regularlyMedigap Plan G is the most comprehensive supplement available to new Medicare enrollees (Plan F, which covered the Part B deductible too, closed to new enrollees in 2020). After you pay the $283 Part B deductible once per year, Plan G covers every other approved Medicare cost — every Part A and B co-insurance charge, every hospital stay without limit, skilled nursing facility care, and even emergency coverage in foreign countries. The financial case: Plan G premiums run $120–$180/month for a 65-year-old, which is $1,440–$2,160 per year. The hospital deductible alone ($1,736) exceeds a full year of Plan G premiums at the low end. A single hospital admission without Plan G can cost $1,736 plus daily coinsurance. A skilled nursing facility stay can cost hundreds per day without coverage. For seniors with even moderate healthcare use, Plan G frequently pays for itself in the first hospitalization. The key trade-off is paying consistent monthly premiums during years you’re healthy in exchange for near-zero out-of-pocket costs when you’re not.
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What are the 4 types of Medicare plans? Part A: hospital insurance · Part B: medical insurance (doctors, outpatient) · Part C: Medicare Advantage (private insurance alternative bundling A+B+usually D) · Part D: prescription drug coverage · Medigap is supplemental insurance added on top of original Parts A & BMedicare is structured in four official parts. Part A covers inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facilities, hospice, and some home health care — most people receive it premium-free if they worked and paid Medicare taxes for 10+ years. Part B covers outpatient medical services: doctor visits, preventive care, lab tests, durable medical equipment, and some home health care — standard premium $202.90/month in 2026. Part C is Medicare Advantage, which is sold by private insurers and bundles Part A and Part B coverage through the insurer’s network, often adding Part D drug coverage and extras like dental and vision. Part D provides standalone prescription drug coverage for those on Original Medicare who don’t get drugs through a Part C plan. Medigap (Medicare Supplement) is not a “part” of Medicare — it’s private insurance that fills the cost gaps left by Parts A and B. You can only have either Medicare Advantage or Medigap — not both simultaneously.
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Is there a health plan that covers everything for seniors? Closest option: Original Medicare + Medigap Plan G + Part D · Covers nearly all Medicare-approved medical costs, most hospital costs, prescription drugs · Does NOT cover: long-term custodial care (nursing home), dental, vision, hearing, most cosmetic proceduresNo Medicare plan covers everything — but Original Medicare with a Medigap Plan G supplement and a Part D drug plan comes closest to comprehensive coverage for Medicare-approved services. After your $283 Part B deductible, you essentially have no out-of-pocket costs for any Medicare-covered medical service for the rest of the year. The significant gaps that remain are the same for all Medicare paths: long-term custodial nursing home care (most expensive and most often misunderstood — Medicare only covers skilled nursing for up to 100 days, not the indefinite stays most people imagine), routine dental care, routine vision care, and hearing aids. Medicare Advantage plans often include dental, vision, and hearing benefits that Original Medicare lacks, which is a genuine advantage for healthy seniors who prioritize those extras. But those benefits typically have annual limits ($500–$4,000 for dental depending on the plan) and are subject to the plan’s network restrictions.
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Does health insurance cover thyroid conditions for seniors? Yes — thyroid conditions are covered under Medicare Parts A and B · Thyroid blood tests (TSH, T4): covered as preventive care · Thyroid medication: covered under Part D · Thyroid ultrasound: covered if medically necessary · Thyroid surgery: covered under Part AThyroid conditions — including hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, thyroid nodules, and thyroid cancer — are among the most common conditions in older adults, affecting an estimated 20% of women over 60. Under Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans, thyroid care is covered broadly. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) blood tests ordered by a physician as medically necessary are covered under Part B (20% coinsurance after deductible with Original Medicare, or per-plan copay with Medicare Advantage). Thyroid medications — levothyroxine (Synthroid) being one of the most commonly prescribed drugs in the country — are covered under Part D plans, typically as a Tier 1 or Tier 2 generic at very low copays. Thyroid ultrasound is covered when ordered for a clinical reason. Thyroid surgery is covered under Part A if inpatient or Part B if outpatient. Annual wellness visits, which are free under Medicare, include thyroid assessment. If you are already managing a thyroid condition, check that your specific thyroid medications are on your chosen Part D formulary before enrolling.
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Can I switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare? Yes — during Annual Enrollment Period (Oct 15 – Dec 7) or Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (Jan 1 – Mar 31) · Critical warning: switching back at older ages may mean you can no longer qualify for Medigap due to health conditions (most states allow underwriting)Switching from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare is technically straightforward — you can do it annually during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15–December 7) or during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1–March 31). Coverage changes take effect January 1 and February 1, respectively. The serious complication: if you want to add a Medigap supplement when returning to Original Medicare, most states allow insurers to deny you or charge dramatically higher premiums based on your current health conditions — a process called medical underwriting. Only Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and (starting August 2026) Minnesota require insurers to accept all applicants regardless of health. Everyone else has a single guaranteed-issue window at age 65. A 72-year-old who was enrolled in Medicare Advantage for seven years and now wants to switch to Original Medicare plus Plan G may be denied by every Medigap insurer in their state if they have diabetes, heart disease, or other chronic conditions. This is why the decision at age 65 carries so much long-term weight.
💰 Medicare Health Plan Options — Side-by-Side Comparison
All beneficiaries pay the Part B premium ($202.90/month in 2026) regardless of the path chosen. Costs shown below are in addition to Part B unless noted.
| Plan Path | Added Monthly Cost | Out-of-Pocket Risk | Network | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original Medicare Only (A+B) | $0 addedJust the $202.90 Part B premium · No drug coverage | Unlimited — no annual cap | Any doctor who accepts Medicare | Not recommended alone — no out-of-pocket ceiling puts you at serious financial risk |
| Original Medicare + Medigap Plan G + Part D Most Comprehensive | $120–$180/mo Plan G+ Part D ($8–$62/mo) · Total added: ~$128–$242/mo | ~$283/year after Part B deductible — then nearly $0 | Any Medicare-accepting provider nationwide — no referrals, no prior auth | Seniors with chronic conditions, frequent healthcare use, travel, or anyone wanting zero financial surprises |
| Original Medicare + Medigap Plan N + Part D | $90–$130/mo Plan N+ Part D · Copays: $20 at doctor, $50 at ER | Very low — modest copays for office visits | Any Medicare-accepting provider nationwide | Healthy seniors who want Medigap protection at lower premiums and can absorb small copays |
| Medicare Advantage HMO (Part C) Network Required | $0–$30/mo avgNational avg added premium ~$14/mo · Often $0 · Part D usually included | Up to ~$9,350 in-network annually | Restricted to plan’s HMO network · Referrals required for specialists | Relatively healthy seniors comfortable with network restrictions who want low premiums and bundled extras |
| Medicare Advantage PPO (Part C) More Flexibility | $0–$80/mo avgSlightly higher than HMO · Out-of-network coverage at higher cost | ~$9,350 in-network · Higher out-of-network | Preferred network but out-of-network at higher cost | Seniors wanting Advantage cost savings with more provider flexibility than an HMO allows |
| Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) | Often $0For seniors with both Medicare and Medicaid · Comprehensive benefit coordination | Very low — Medicaid covers most cost-sharing | Plan-specific network | Seniors qualifying for both Medicare and Medicaid · Coordinates coverage between both programs |
⚠️ The Key Numbers Everyone Needs Before Choosing
- Part B premium (2026): $202.90/month — paid by everyone on Medicare
- Part A hospital deductible: $1,736 per benefit period — covered by Medigap Plan G
- Part B annual deductible: $283 — NOT covered by Plan G, but covered by now-unavailable Plan F
- Medicare Advantage max out-of-pocket: up to ~$9,350 in-network — you pay 100% of costs until you hit this ceiling
- Medigap open enrollment window: 6 months starting the month you turn 65 AND have Part B — this guaranteed-issue window is irreversible
📊 Who Should Choose Which Path?
🏥 Medigap Plan G
Best for Complex Health
Chronic conditions, multiple specialists, frequent care, or anyone who doesn’t want surprise bills. Nearly zero out-of-pocket after the $283 Part B deductible. No networks, no referrals, no prior auth.
💊 Medicare Advantage
Best for Healthy Seniors
Low or $0 monthly premiums. Bundled dental, vision, hearing extras. OTC allowances. Good option if your doctors are in-network and you’re in good health. Review plan every year — benefits change.
✈️ Travel & Snowbirds
Choose Original Medicare
Medicare Advantage networks are regional. If you split time between states or travel frequently, Original Medicare + Medigap works everywhere. MA plans often don’t cover out-of-network care except emergencies.
💰 Fixed Income
Check for Extra Help
Dual-eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) coordinate Medicare and Medicaid. Medicare Savings Programs cover Part B premiums. Extra Help covers Part D costs. Apply at ssa.gov or medicare.gov.
🌟 Top MA Carriers
UHC · Humana · Kaiser
UnitedHealthcare: largest network, all 50 states. Humana: best $0-premium availability + OTC $250/quarter. Kaiser Permanente: highest CMS star ratings in 8 states. Always verify plan at medicare.gov for your ZIP.
⚠️ What MA Won’t Tell You
Prior Auth Risk
Denial rates up 56%. Hospitals dropping MA contracts in 2026. Listed doctors may not be accepting your plan. Benefits can shrink year to year. Review your Annual Notice of Change every September without fail.
🔍 The Questions That Don’t Get Asked — Until It’s Too Late
I’m turning 65 soon — what is the single most important decision I need to make immediately?
TURNING 65 · URGENT
Deciding whether to enroll in Medigap during your guaranteed-issue window is the most consequential health insurance decision most Americans will ever make — and most people make it without fully understanding the stakes. Here’s why it matters so much: for the 6-month window that begins when you both turn 65 AND have Part B active, no insurer can deny you a Medigap policy or charge you more based on pre-existing conditions. No health questionnaire, no underwriting, no rejection possible. After this window closes, most states allow full medical underwriting — meaning a carrier can refuse to sell you Plan G if you have diabetes, heart disease, cancer history, arthritis, or dozens of other common conditions. The seniors most likely to need Medigap protection in their 70s and 80s are also the most likely to be denied coverage if they try to buy it after the window closes. You don’t need to predict how healthy you’ll be in twenty years — you just need to act within the window when you’re still guaranteed acceptance. Enrolling in Medicare Advantage instead at 65 is not necessarily wrong, but understand clearly: going back to Original Medicare + Medigap later is not guaranteed to be possible.
📅 Medigap open enrollment: starts month you turn 65 AND have Part B · lasts 6 months only
🔒 Guaranteed issue: no insurer can deny or charge more during this window
⚠️ After window: most states allow health-based denial — common conditions disqualify
💡 Exceptions: CT, MA, NY, and MN (from Aug 2026) have year-round guaranteed issue
My Medicare Advantage plan denied a treatment my doctor ordered — what do I do?
DENIAL · APPEAL RIGHTS
A denial is not final — and most seniors don’t realize that a significant percentage of appealed denials are overturned. Here is exactly what to do. First, get the denial in writing. Your plan is required by law to provide a written explanation of the denial, including the specific clinical reason and your appeal rights. Second, ask your doctor to write a letter of medical necessity — a document explaining precisely why this specific treatment is necessary for your specific condition and why alternatives are insufficient. Third, file a formal appeal immediately. As of 2026, standard prior authorization requests must be processed within 7 days, and urgent requests within 72 hours. There are multiple levels of appeal: internal plan review, external independent review (by an organization the plan doesn’t control), Administrative Law Judge hearing, Medicare Appeals Council review, and federal district court. Most people who successfully appeal stop at the first or second level. The most important practical step: keep a written record of every communication — dates, names, what was said — and never accept a verbal denial as the end of the road.
📋 Request denial in writing — required by law
👩⚕️ Get letter of medical necessity from your doctor before appealing
⏱️ Urgent appeals: plan must respond within 72 hours (new 2026 rule)
📞 Free appeals help: 1-800-MEDICARE · Medicare.gov/appeals
I’m over 70 and in good health — should I switch to Medicare Advantage for the extras?
OVER 70 · SWITCHING RISK
The decision to switch from Original Medicare + Medigap to Medicare Advantage after 70 carries a risk most seniors don’t fully account for — the ability to switch back may not exist. If you currently have Medigap and want to try Medicare Advantage for the $0 premium and the dental/vision/OTC benefits, understand what you may be giving up permanently. Switching to Medicare Advantage is easy — you can do it during Annual Enrollment Period. Switching back to Original Medicare is also easy. The problem is Medigap. In most states, if you want to return to Original Medicare with Medigap protection after spending years in Medicare Advantage, insurers can — and commonly do — reject your application or charge much higher premiums if you have developed health conditions in the interim. At 70, 75, or 80, the chance of having developed conditions that trigger medical underwriting is substantially higher than at 65. Before making the switch, call several Medigap insurers and ask them directly: “If I switched to Medicare Advantage today and wanted to come back in five years, would my current conditions affect my ability to get coverage?” The answer from most will tell you everything you need to know about the risk of this decision.
⚠️ Switching to MA is easy — returning to Medigap later may not be
📞 Before switching: call Medigap insurers and ask about re-entry risk
✅ Exception states: CT, MA, NY, MN (Aug 2026) — year-round guaranteed issue
💡 Dental/vision extras: consider standalone dental (Delta Dental, etc.) instead of switching MA
I have both Medicare and Medicaid — what’s the best plan for me?
DUAL ELIGIBLE · BOTH MEDICARE & MEDICAID
Seniors who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid — called “dual-eligible” beneficiaries — have access to a specialized plan type that most agents and family members don’t adequately explain. Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) are a type of Medicare Advantage plan designed specifically to coordinate Medicare and Medicaid benefits in one plan. D-SNP members typically pay $0 in monthly premiums, $0 deductibles, and very low or $0 copays for most services. Medicaid picks up most of the cost-sharing that Medicare leaves behind. In 2026, CMS is implementing improvements to D-SNPs including more comprehensive health risk assessments and more integrated care coordination. If you receive both Medicare and Medicaid, you may also qualify for a Medicare Savings Program (MSP) — four separate programs that can pay your Part B premium ($202.90/month), your Part A and B deductibles, and sometimes your Part D costs depending on your income and the specific MSP tier. Apply for MSPs through your state Medicaid office. These programs can save $2,400–$4,000+ per year for qualifying seniors who apply.
💚 D-SNPs: $0 premium, $0 deductible, low copays for dual-eligible seniors
💰 Medicare Savings Program: may pay your $202.90/month Part B premium
🏛️ Apply for MSP: through your state Medicaid office
📞 Free help: 1-800-MEDICARE · your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
Health insurance for seniors over 70 — does the age affect what I can get?
OVER 70 · AGE & COVERAGE
Medicare does not discriminate by age — a 90-year-old has the same access to Parts A, B, C, and D as a 65-year-old. However, age does affect Medigap premiums in most states. Most states use “attained-age” rating, meaning your Medigap premium increases each year as you get older — a Plan G that costs $130/month at 65 might cost $220/month at 75 and $320/month at 85. Some states and some plans use “issue-age” rating (locked to your age at enrollment) or “community rating” (same price for everyone regardless of age), which is why shopping carefully at 65 matters. Medicare Advantage premiums generally do not increase with age — everyone in the plan pays the same — which is part of their appeal for seniors in their late 70s and 80s who may be watching their Medigap premiums rise. The practical implication: seniors who are already over 70 and have been in Medicare Advantage may face meaningful underwriting barriers if they try to switch to Medigap now, especially outside the handful of states with guaranteed issue protections. The options remain the same, but the financial and health landscape shifts with age.
✅ Medicare access: same at any age — no age-based exclusions under Medicare
📈 Medigap premiums: usually rise with age under attained-age rating
🔒 MA premiums: same for all ages in the plan — don’t increase with age
🏛️ Guaranteed-issue states (any age): CT, MA, NY, MN (starting Aug 2026)
What about international travel medical insurance for seniors over 70?
TRAVEL INSURANCE · INTERNATIONAL
Original Medicare does not cover healthcare received outside the United States with very limited exceptions — and Medicare Advantage plans similarly cover only emergency care abroad, not routine or scheduled care. Medigap Plan G includes foreign travel emergency coverage up to $50,000 (80% after a $250 deductible), which is valuable but has an annual limit. For extended international travel or living abroad for part of the year, a separate travel medical insurance policy is essential. Key features to look for when shopping travel medical insurance over 70: confirmed coverage for pre-existing conditions (many budget plans exclude them), an emergency medical evacuation benefit of at least $500,000 (medevac flights from Europe or Asia can cost $100,000–$250,000 alone), a 24/7 emergency assistance phone line, and direct billing to hospitals where possible. GeoBlue, Seven Corners, and Allianz are among the well-reviewed carriers for senior international travel medical. Insure My Trip (insuremytrip.com) is a comparison aggregator that lets you filter specifically for pre-existing condition waivers and age acceptability. Trip cancellation coverage and travel medical coverage are different products — make sure you’re comparing apples to apples when shopping.
🌍 Medicare abroad: does not cover routine care outside the U.S.
🏥 Medigap Plan G: $50,000 foreign emergency coverage (80% after $250 deductible)
✈️ Travel medical: look for pre-existing condition coverage + $500K+ medevac
🔍 Compare plans: insuremytrip.com · filter for age and pre-existing conditions
📍 Find Medicare Help & Local Health Plan Assistance
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling is available through SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) counselors in every state. Use the buttons below to find local help, doctors who accept Medicare, and community health resources.
🔑 Quick Reference — Key Medicare Links & Numbers
🖥️ Compare all plans: medicare.gov/plan-compare
📞 Medicare helpline: 1-800-633-4227 (1-800-MEDICARE) · 24/7 · TTY 1-877-486-2048
🏛️ Free SHIP counseling: shiphelp.org · find your state counselor
📋 Part B deductible (2026): $283 · Part A deductible: $1,736/benefit period
💰 Medicare Savings Programs: apply at your state Medicaid office
💊 Extra Help (Part D): ssa.gov/extrahelp · income under $23,475 single
📅 Annual Enrollment Period: October 15 – December 7 each year
🗺️ Medigap plan comparison: medicare.gov → search “Medigap”
✅ 5-Step Checklist — Choosing the Right Senior Health Plan
- Step 1 — Know your window: If you’re within 6 months of turning 65 and enrolling in Part B, you’re in the Medigap guaranteed-issue period. This is irreversible. Understand both Medicare Advantage and Medigap before making this choice — you may only truly get one shot at Medigap with no health questions.
- Step 2 — Check your doctors: Before choosing any plan, call your primary care doctor and key specialists and ask: “Do you accept [this plan]?” For Medicare Advantage, confirm your doctors are in-network. For Medigap, confirm they accept Original Medicare. Never rely solely on the plan’s online directory.
- Step 3 — Run your drug list: Go to medicare.gov/plan-compare and enter every prescription you take. This tool shows your total estimated annual cost including premiums and all drug expenses for every plan available in your ZIP code. The lowest premium is almost never the lowest total cost.
- Step 4 — Review every September: Plans change coverage, networks, and premiums annually. Read your Annual Notice of Change letter the moment it arrives in September. If your doctors, drugs, or costs changed significantly, the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15–December 7) is your chance to switch.
- Step 5 — Get free help: SHIP counselors at shiphelp.org provide free, unbiased Medicare counseling in every state — they have no financial interest in what you choose. Call 1-800-MEDICARE for official information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Medicare plan details, premiums, deductibles, out-of-pocket limits, and availability change annually and vary by ZIP code. All figures cited reflect 2026 CMS-published data as of the most recent update. Medigap guaranteed-issue rules vary by state — confirm your specific state’s rules at medicare.gov or with a SHIP counselor. This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional Medicare counseling or licensed insurance advice. This page has no affiliation with Medicare, CMS, or any insurance carrier mentioned.