For instance, in Original Medicare, you are covered to go to nearly all doctors and hospitals in the country. How you choose to get your benefits and who you get them from can affect your out-of-pocket costs and where you can get your care. It is important to understand your Medicare coverage choices and to pick your coverage carefully. Each Medicare Advantage Plan must provide all Part A and Part B services covered by Original Medicare, but they can do so with different rules, costs, and restrictions that can affect how and when you receive care. This means that you must still pay your monthly Part B premium (and your Part A premium, if you have one). Remember, you still have Medicare if you enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan. Instead of Original Medicare, you can decide to get your Medicare benefits from a Medicare Advantage Plan, also called Part C or Medicare private health plan. Unless you choose otherwise, you will have Original Medicare.
Note: There are a number of government programs that may help reduce your health care and prescription drug costs if you meet the eligibility requirements. If you want prescription drug coverage with Original Medicare, in most cases you will need to actively choose and join a stand-alone Medicare private drug plan (PDP).