How Medicare Plans Work
The Original Medicare Plan is a fee-for-service plan managed by the Federal Government. In general, with the Original Medicare Plan:
- You use your red, white, and blue Medicare card when you get health care.
- You can go to any doctor or supplier that accepts Medicare and is accepting new Medicare patients, or to any hospital or other facility.
- You pay a set amount for your health care (a deductible) before Medicare pays its part. Then, Medicare pays its
share, and you pay your share (your coinsurance or copayment) for covered services and supplies (unless you have a Medigap policy or other supplemental insurance that may pay for these costs.)
- You may have a Medigap policy or other supplemental coverage that may pay deductibles, coinsurance, or other costs that aren’t covered by the Original Medicare Plan.
