For folks that have Medicare Parts A & B (like my wife and I), there are a number of Medicare supplement plans that we can choose from during Open Enrollment, which occurs from October through December. THe 3 types of plans we can choose from are:
Plan C - better coverage for Medical "procedures".
Plan D - Prescription Drug Coverage
Plan C & D - Combines the benefits of Plans C and D above.
My wife and I have always had Plan C & D (called a Medicare Advantage Plan).
There are actually more than three choices if you opt for a MediGap plan (these use letters F through N and are non-HMO). The coverages vary in co-pays, deductibles and what is covered. Under the Affordable Care Act each plan must be the same across all providers. That is, any insurance company's Plan N will cover exactly the same things with the same co-pays, etc. as any other company's Plan N. The only difference will be the monthly premium charged and the level of service provided.
None of these Plans F-N include drug coverage, which is where buying a Plan D would come in. Plan D's can have varying levels of co-pays and deductibles, based on the provider.
What is available to any individual will definitely vary by geography.
Interestingly, when looking at out-of-pocket costs for drugs under different plans, the insurance company will use the retail price of the drug even if you paid less. Just one more way of moving the consumer faster into the Medicare Drug Plan "doughnut hole" (where the individual must cover full costs for a period).
