Enrolling in Medicare for the first time, or changing plans in later years, is a big step. There’s a lot you need to consider and learn in order to compare plans and make the best choice for you. That’s particularly true when it comes to choosing between what’s called Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage plans, private plans that include Original Medicare and include additional services and benefits.

Find out what you know about Medicare – and what you don’t – with our short quiz!

Which is NOT covered by Original Medicare?

1.          Prescription drugs

2.         Hospitalizations

3.         Doctor visits

4.         All three are covered

Answer: 1

Original Medicare covers hospitalizations under Part A and doctor visits under Part B. Prescription drugs are not covered by Original Medicare. Coverage can be purchased in a separate Part D plan, or it may be bundled with Parts A and B in a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) sold by private insurance companies.

Learn more about the different parts of Medicare.

True or False: Original Medicare helps keep you healthy by offering discounts for fitness classes.

Answer: False

Original Medicare doesn’t cover fitness programs. Many Medicare Advantage plans do, though. Some carriers offer the SilverSneakers program as part of their MA plans, which provides a range of online and in-person exercise programming for seniors.

Read more about the popular SilverSneakers benefit.

Which Original Medicare recipients can use telehealth from their home?

1.          No one

2.         Only people in rural areas

3.         Everyone

Answer: 3

One of the silver linings of the COVID pandemic was the expansion of telehealth benefits to everyone, not just those in rural areas. For people receiving mental and behavioral health treatment, this change will be permanent. For other types of treatment, this telehealth expansion will end on December 31, 2024.

Learn how Medicare covers transportation.

Medicare Supplement Insurance:

1.          Provides additional benefits to Original Medicare

2.         Helps pay your out-of-pocket costs when you have Original Medicare

3.         Helps pay for services not covered by Original Medicare

4.         All of the above

Answer: 2

Medicare Supplement plans, more commonly known as Medigap, pay your out-of-pocket costs like co-pays and co-insurance when you have Original Medicare. However, you can only use a Medigap plan to pay for services covered by Parts A & B. That means you can't use Medigap to pay for items like prescription drugs or dental care, as those services are not included with Original Medicare.

Find out more about Medicare Supplement plans.

Preventive care is:

1.          Always covered by Original Medicare

2.         Sometimes covered by Original Medicare

3.         Never covered by Original Medicare

Answer: 2
Some preventive care is covered by Original Medicare without any cost-sharing. This includes a preventive health visit in the first 12 months after you sign up for Part B and includes some screenings, a flu shot, and a plan for other prevention services you might need.

Learn what preventive care Medicare covers to help you stay healthy.

1.          Original Medicare

2.         Medicare Advantage

Answer: 1

Both Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage cover emergency and urgent care visits anywhere in the U.S. without restrictions or out-of-pocket costs. But most Medicare Advantage plans don’t offer coverage for non-urgent care outside of their defined service area. Or they may require higher cost-sharing or prior authorization for out-of-network care.

Find out more about how Medicare covers urgent care.

Under which circumstances can I change my Medicare coverage outside of the open enrollment period?

1.          You’re moving outside your current plan’s service area or where additional options are available.

2.         You’re moving back to the U.S. after living abroad.

3.         You’re moving into or out of a new assisted living facility.

4.         All of the above

Answer: 4.

These and other specific life situations qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). Generally, you can only switch plans during the Medicare Annual Enrollment period, October 15-December 7 (for people in both Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage) or during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment period, January 1-March 31 (for people in Medicare Advantage only).

Find out about the different Medicare enrollment periods.

When you want to quit smoking, Original Medicare can help by covering

1.          Counseling sessions

2.         Nicotine patches and gum

3.         Prescription drugs like Chantix

Answer: 1

Original Medicare will cover four counseling sessions each time you try to quit, up to two attempts per year. It doesn’t cover over-the-counter products like the nicotine patch, but you may find coverage in a Medicare Advantage plan. Prescription drugs are covered only in Part D plans which can be bought separately or as part of a Medicare Advantage plan.

Learn 9 tips to quit smoking and how Medicare can help.

Which of these vision services does Original Medicare NOT cover?

1.          Eye exams for people at risk for glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.

2.         Treatment for macular degeneration

3.         Eyeglasses and contact lenses

Answer: 3

Original Medicare does not cover routine vision exams or eyeglasses and contact lenses. In contrast, nearly 99% of Medicare Advantage plans provide some coverage for eye exams, glasses, and contact lenses.

Get the details about vision coverage under Medicare.

Which plan lets you choose any doctor who accepts Medicare?

1.          Original Medicare

2.         Medicare Advantage

Answer: 1
Original Medicare covers all doctors who accept Medicare. Some Medicare Advantage plans limit you to in-network providers. Others cover out-of-network doctors and hospitals but require higher co-pays than in-network doctors and hospitals. If you choose a Medicare Advantage plan, make sure the doctors you use are covered.

See what Medicare plans are available in your area.

At what age are you eligible for Medicare?

1.          65

2.         66

3.         Whenever you start collecting Social Security

Answer: 1

Although you can start collecting Social Security at age 62, most people are not eligible for Medicare until age 65. People who have a disability or certain medical conditions like End-Stage Renal Disease may be able to get Medicare earlier.

Find out more about Medicare eligibility.

Which Medicare plan has limits on out-of-pocket yearly expenses?

1. Original Medicare

2. Medicare Advantage

Answer: 2

Original Medicare has no maximum out-of-pocket spending limit. But if you get coverage from a Medicare Advantage plan, there’s a limit on the cost sharing you could be liable for.

Learn about your costs under Medicare.

Have more questions about your Medicare options? Call us at 888-992-0738 to learn more about plans available in your area