There are a number of ways that you can receive Medicare coverage.  The three most common options are Original Medicare, Medicare Advantange and Miedicare supplement insurance plans.

Original Medicare consists of Medicare Part A and Part B, which cover hospital and medical costs. The government automatically pays for Part A coverage through Medicare. For Part B, you pay premiums by way of a monthly deduction from your Social Security benefits. However, Original Medicare alone is not always enough to meet all your healthcare needs and it can leave you with unexpected bills to pay.

Medicare Advantage Plans are health plan options that are part of the Medicare program but offer more benefits than Original Medicare Part A and B. Many Medicare Advantage plans limit the annual out-of-pocket expenses of their members, which helps to protect them financially in the event of a serious medical condition. Monthly premiums are the same regardless of your age or health history.

When it comes to Medicare Advantage plans you have sever different choices.

• Medicare Health Maintenance Organization (HMOs)
• Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO)
• Private Fee-for-Service Plans
• Medicare Special Needs Plans

You can choose from a variety of Medicare supplement insurance plans. They may cover all or some of the unexpected bills you might get when you only have Original Medicare.

Medicare Advantage Choices

HMO plans generally offer health care and services from doctors or hospital within the plan's network (those that have agreed to accept the plan's members). Typically, you visit a primary care doctor who will then refer you to see another health care specialist if necessary. The plans often include additional benefits about what Medicare offers.

MSA plans combine a high-deductible health plan witha a medical savings account (MSA) that beneficiaries can use to manage their health costs. The health plan, on behalf of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, will fund east MSA with the appropriate deposit amount, which is determined by the MSA plan selected.

Special Needs Plans are available for those people who are eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, those who live in certain institutions such as nursing homes, or people who have a severe or disabling chronic illness.

PPO plans have network doctors and hospitals, but you can also use out-of-network providers for covered services, usually at an additional cost. You do not need a referral from a primary care doctor to see a specialist. PPO plans usually cost more than other managed care plans but are less restrictive in the doctors you can see and the hospitals you can use.

Medicare supplement insurance plans often called Medigap plans also are provided by health insurance companies. They are designed to work with Original Medicare to fill in the gaps that Original Medicare does not cover. There are many plan options available with different monthly premiums and level of coverage. The amount of htese monthly premiums depends on the area, hte coverage, your age and the benfits provided.

Medicare Part D provides additional coverage for prescription drugs regardless of your plan. It is included in Medicare Advantage plans or it can be purchased as an addition to a Medicare supplement plan. Remember, if you don't enroll in a Plan D when you turn 65, the cost will increase in the future.