Medicare in Chicago, IL: A Straight Answer on Your Options

Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C)

A Medicare Advantage plan takes the place of Original Medicare and bundles your coverage into one plan. Private carriers approved by Medicare sell these. Most Advantage plans in the Chicago area include:

• Hospital and medical coverage
• Prescription drug coverage
• Provider networks
• Copays and out-of-pocket limits

A number of plans throw in dental, vision or hearing coverage too, but the dollar amounts differ a lot by carrier and plan.

Advantage tends to draw seniors who want a lower monthly bill, bundled extras, predictable copays and coordinated care inside a network. That network is the piece to watch. Northwestern Memorial, Rush University Medical Center and UChicago Medicine don't sit on every network every year, so we check your doctors before you sign anything.

Medicare Supplement Plans (Medigap)

A Medigap policy pairs with Original Medicare and picks up costs Medicare leaves on the table, like deductibles and coinsurance. These plans give you access to any doctor who takes Medicare, from the Loop to Beverly, with no referrals and no network to worry about.

Prescription coverage isn't part of Medigap. You'll pair it with a separate Part D plan for medications.

Medigap usually fits people who travel a lot, want to keep any doctor without a referral, want fewer surprise bills, or see doctors often.