Understand Your Current Original Medicare‡ Coverage
While Original Medicare‡ covers a lot of your basic health needs, it doesn't include prescription drugs, dental, vision, hearing, or extras like fitness memberships. That’s why more than 74 percent of people who have Original Medicare‡ opt for additional coverage.1
A Medicare Advantage (Part C) or Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D) plan from Anthem can help you cover those additional needs not met by Original Medicare.‡
Compare Medicare Plan Options Side By Side
If you have Original Medicare,‡ you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan or add a Prescription Drug (Part D) plan. Here’s an overview of their key benefits.
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Most plans include Part D prescription drug coverage. Plans also include dental, vision, and hearing coverage. |
Dental, vision, and hearing plans can be added. |
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Part A $0 Monthly Premium
Part B $174.70 Monthly Premium2
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$18 OR LOW Monthly Premium3
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$32.74 Monthly Premium4
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20% copays For outpatient care can add up |
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Once you're enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you must continue to pay your Original Medicare‡ Part A and Part B monthly premiums.
For Prescription Drug Plans (Part D) you must be enrolled in Original Medicare‡ Part A and/or Part B, and continue to pay your Part A and/or Part B monthly premiums.
Find Additional Coverage That’s Right For You
Review your options for more healthcare coverage and learn when and how to enroll.
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
All-In-One Plans
Medicare Advantage plans, or Medicare Part C, are all-in-one plans that include everything Original Medicare‡ covers – and much more.
$0 Premiums Plus Benefits
Many Medicare Advantage plans have $0 monthly premiums, although some plans may have higher premiums. These plans include additional benefits like these:
- Prescription Drug (Part D) coverage
- Dental, vision, and hearing coverage
- Meal deliveries after a hospital stay
- SilverSneakers® fitness memberships
- Health-related transportation
- Allowances for over-the-counter health items, groceries, utilities, and more (benefits may vary based on plans, locations, and individual conditions)
- Convenient prepaid benefits card
When To Enroll
You can enroll in, add, change, or drop your Medicare Advantage plan during these periods:
Enroll: Initial Enrollment Period, which starts three months before your 65th birthday month and ends three months after it
Add Or Change: Annual Enrollment Period, October 15 to December 7
Change (One Time Only): Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, January 1 to March 31
Add, Drop, Or Change: Special Enrollment Period, based on certain life changes, like moving to a new area.
Prescription Drug (Medicare Part D)
Why Add Drug Coverage?
A Medicare Part D plan provides prescription drug coverage, which can be especially important if you’re managing a condition that requires regular medication.
Standalone Or Built-In Options
A standalone Part D plan can be added to your Original Medicare‡ or Medicare Supplement plan. Part D is included with most Medicare Advantage plans.
Low Copays
Part D plans may have copays from $1 for preferred drugs at preferred pharmacies.
How It Works
Companies offering Part D plans, like Anthem, will have a network of pharmacies to fill prescriptions and a list of drugs covered at different price levels or tiers.
When To Enroll
Most people enroll in a Part D plan or a Medicare Advantage plan that includes Part D during their Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), the seven months that brackets their 65th birthday month. You also can add or change your Medicare Part D plan during the Annual Enrollment Period, which is October 15 to December 7. If you don’t enroll when you’re first eligible during IEP, you may be subject to a late enrollment penalty.
Check Your Doctors And Prescriptions
When you’re ready to start shopping, check to see if your providers participate in Medicare and are in our Medicare Advantage network. Also, compare prescription drug costs before selecting a plan.
Learn Medicare Basics
Medicare doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Boost your knowledge and confidence by reading our in-depth articles.
Frequently Asked Questions For Those With Original Medicare‡ Only
Original Medicare‡ provides limited coverage for prescription drugs, usually only for prescriptions needed for care while you're in the hospital or Skilled Nursing Facility. If you take prescription medications on a regular basis or expect to in the future, a Medicare Part D plan or a Medicare Advantage Plan that includes Part D may be a good choice to help cover your medication costs. Remember, if you don't enroll in a Part D plan when you're first eligible, you may be subject to a Part D late enrollment penalty.
Original Medicare‡ only covers very limited dental, vision, and hearing (DVH) coverage related to specific medical conditions. It does not include coverage for routine dental care, hearing tests, vision tests, eyeglasses, etc. Costs for basic care can add up quickly. Additional dental, vision, and hearing coverage will help cover these costs.
The vast majority of people who have Original Medicare‡ end up adding more coverage to meet their healthcare needs.1 Prescription drug costs, the 20% coinsurance for doctor visits, and deductibles for inpatient stays can be significant and add up quickly. Even if you're in good health now and Original Medicare‡ adequately covers most of your costs, your future healthcare needs could change quickly. Also, if you don't enroll in a Prescription Drug (Part D) plan when you are first eligible, you may be subject to Part D late enrollment penalties.
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‡ Original Medicare: Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance)
1 For example, 74% of Medicare beneficiaries were enrolled in prescription drug (Medicare Part D) coverage in 2019. Source: Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) Office of Health Policy
https://aspe.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/f81aafbba0b331c71c6e8bc66512e25d/medicare-beneficiary-enrollment-ib.pdf
2 These are monthly premiums for most people. Your actual payments may vary based on how long you worked and contributed to Medicare via payroll deductions, or your income. https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/medicare-costs
4 https://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/11579-medicare-costs.pdf
Anthem BlueCross BlueShield is a Medicare Advantage plan with a Medicare contract. Anthem BlueCross BlueShield Is a SNP plan with a Medicare contract and a contract with the state Medicaid program. Enrollment in Anthem BlueCross BlueShield depends on contract renewal.
Anthem BlueCross is a Medicare Advantage plan with a Medicare contract. Anthem BlueCross Is a SNP plan with a Medicare contract and a contract with the state Medicaid program. Enrollment in Anthem BlueCross depends on contract renewal.