Medicare plans — compare your options with confidence
Turning 65 or already on Medicare? Understanding your choices — Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Part D — helps you pick coverage that fits your health and budget. Dean Insurance compares plans from private carriers and connects you with licensed agents — one short form, no obligation.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options. Dean Insurance is not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program.
The parts of Medicare
Medicare is built from parts that each cover something different. Knowing what they do is the first step to choosing your coverage.
Inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, and some home health. Most people pay no premium for Part A.
Doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, and durable medical equipment. Part B has a monthly premium set each year.
An all-in-one alternative from private insurers that bundles Part A and B, usually Part D, and often extras like dental and vision.
Prescription drug coverage from private insurers — standalone with Original Medicare, or built into most Advantage plans.
There’s also Medigap (Medicare Supplement) — private insurance that works with Original Medicare to help pay your out-of-pocket costs like deductibles and coinsurance.
Two ways to get your Medicare coverage
Almost everyone chooses one of two paths. You can’t combine them — a licensed agent can help you weigh which fits.
Part A and B from the government, optionally paired with a Medigap plan to cover out-of-pocket costs and a standalone Part D drug plan. You can see any provider that accepts Medicare nationwide, with no networks — flexibility that travels well, in exchange for separate premiums.
One private plan that bundles Part A, B, and usually D, frequently with extra benefits like dental, vision, and hearing — often for a low or $0 plan premium (you still pay your Part B premium). It uses a network and has an annual out-of-pocket maximum.
What Original Medicare does not cover
Original Medicare leaves real gaps. Some are filled by Medigap or a drug plan; others by separate coverage — and some Medicare Advantage plans bundle them in.
Cleanings, fillings, and dentures generally aren’t covered — a standalone dental plan or some Advantage plans add it.
Routine vision care isn’t covered — pair a vision plan, or choose an Advantage plan that includes it.
Hearing aids and fittings generally aren’t covered by Original Medicare — some Advantage plans include them.
Ongoing help with daily living isn’t covered — that’s a separate long-term care need.
Original Medicare has no out-of-pocket maximum — a Medigap plan helps cap deductibles and coinsurance.
Original Medicare doesn’t include drug coverage — you add a Part D plan (or get it through Advantage).
How it works
Three simple steps to compare Medicare options with a licensed agent’s help.
Tell us about your situation
Share your ZIP code, whether you’re new to Medicare or reviewing plans, and what matters to you. It takes about two minutes.
Compare the plans we offer
We line up Advantage, Medigap, and Part D options from the carriers we work with — benefits, networks, and costs, side by side.
Enroll with an expert’s help
A licensed agent answers your questions and helps you enroll in the plan you choose — at no cost to you.
Medicare help for every situation
Wherever you are with Medicare, a licensed agent can help you compare the options we offer and choose with confidence.
Enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period and start on the right footing.
Understand the parts and the two paths before you choose.
Compare the all-in-one route against Original Medicare plus a supplement.
During the Annual Enrollment Period, make sure your plan still fits.
Compare Part D plans against the medications you actually take.
Explore Advantage plans that bundle dental, vision, and hearing.
Find a balance of premium and out-of-pocket costs that works for you.
Original Medicare with Medigap travels nationwide with no network.
Why Dean Insurance for Medicare
An independent marketplace built to make comparing your options simple — with licensed agents to guide you.
How much does Medicare cost in 2026?
Your costs depend on the path you choose. Many people pay $0 for Part A, a standard monthly premium for Part B, and then either a Medigap plan (commonly $100–$200/month) or a Medicare Advantage plan (often $0–$50/month on top of Part B). Premiums and deductibles are set each year, and higher earners pay more for Parts B and D. The figures below are illustrative averages, not quotes — see Medicare.gov for current amounts.
| Coverage | Typical monthly cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Part A (hospital) | $0 for most | If you or a spouse paid Medicare taxes 10+ years |
| Part B (medical) | Standard premium, set yearly | Higher for top incomes (IRMAA) — see Medicare.gov |
| Medicare Advantage (Part C) | $0 – $50 | Plus your Part B premium; networks apply |
| Medigap (Plan G or N) | $100 – $200 | Works with Original Medicare; any provider |
| Part D (drugs) | $0 – $50 | Varies by plan and your medications |
💡 Tip: The two paths trade off differently. Medicare Advantage often has a low premium but uses a network and out-of-pocket costs as you go; Original Medicare with Medigap costs more in premium but offers predictable costs and any-provider freedom. Enrolling on time matters too — Part B and Part D can carry permanent late-enrollment penalties if you go without creditable coverage.
A plain-English guide to Medicare
What is Medicare?
Medicare is the federal health insurance program primarily for people age 65 and older, as well as some younger people with certain disabilities or conditions. It’s organized into parts that cover different kinds of care, and you build your coverage by choosing among them. The choices can feel complex at first, but they come down to a few key decisions — and a licensed agent can walk you through the options available to you.
The parts: A, B, C, and D
Part A covers hospital and inpatient care, and most people pay no premium for it. Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient care, and preventive services, with a monthly premium set each year. Together, Part A and B are called Original Medicare. Part C (Medicare Advantage) is an all-in-one alternative offered by private insurers that bundles A and B — usually with drug coverage and extra benefits. Part D is prescription drug coverage, available on its own or built into most Advantage plans.
Medigap (Medicare Supplement)
Medigap is private insurance that works alongside Original Medicare to help pay the costs it leaves to you — things like deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. Plans are standardized and labeled by letter (such as Plan G or Plan N), so a given letter offers the same core benefits no matter the carrier — which makes price and service the main differences. With Medigap you can see any provider that accepts Medicare, and there are no networks. Note that Medigap works only with Original Medicare, not with Medicare Advantage.
Two ways to get coverage
Most people choose one of two paths. Original Medicare plus Medigap and a Part D plan offers maximum flexibility — any provider nationwide that accepts Medicare, with predictable costs once you add a supplement — in exchange for paying separate premiums. Medicare Advantage bundles everything into one private plan, often with a low or $0 plan premium and extra benefits, but it uses a provider network and you follow the plan’s rules. You choose one path or the other; you can’t use Medigap with an Advantage plan.
Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage
The decision usually comes down to flexibility versus all-in-one convenience. Medigap suits people who want to keep any doctor, travel freely, and have predictable out-of-pocket costs, and who don’t mind paying a higher monthly premium. Medicare Advantage suits people who want a low premium, value bundled extras like dental and vision, and are comfortable using a network. Neither is universally better — it depends on your health, your doctors, your budget, and how you like to travel.
When to enroll — and avoiding penalties
Timing matters with Medicare. Your Initial Enrollment Period is a seven-month window around your 65th birthday — the three months before, your birthday month, and the three months after. Each year, the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7) lets you change Advantage and Part D plans. Missing your initial window without other creditable coverage can trigger permanent late-enrollment penalties on Part B and Part D, so it’s worth acting on time. Special Enrollment Periods may apply after certain life events.
What Medicare doesn’t cover
Original Medicare doesn’t cover most routine dental, vision, or hearing care, and it doesn’t cover long-term custodial care. Some Medicare Advantage plans add dental, vision, and hearing benefits, and standalone dental and vision plans can fill the gaps for those on Original Medicare. Understanding these gaps up front helps you choose coverage that matches the care you actually use.
How costs work
Your total cost depends on which parts and path you choose, your income (higher earners pay more for Parts B and D), your Medigap plan letter or Advantage plan, your Part D formulary, and when you enroll. Premiums and deductibles change each year. Because plans and prices vary by area and carrier, comparing the options available to you is the best way to find coverage that fits — and the current figures for Part A, B, and income-based amounts are always available at Medicare.gov.
How Dean Insurance helps
We’re an independent marketplace, so we compare plans from the private carriers we work with and connect you with licensed agents — we don’t pressure you toward any one plan. The agents and carriers you connect with are licensed and authorized to sell in your state, and they handle plan details and your enrollment. Using Dean Insurance is free; we’re paid by our partners only when you choose a plan, and your information is never sold to unrelated third parties. Remember that we don’t offer every plan available in your area — for all of your options, contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE. See our Privacy Policy for details.
What members say
People who compared their Medicare options with Dean Insurance.
“Turning 65 was overwhelming until the agent walked me through Advantage versus Medigap in plain language. I finally understood my choices.”— [PLACEHOLDER] Carol B., member, Mesa, AZ
“I travel half the year, so Original Medicare with a Medigap plan made sense — any doctor, anywhere. They helped me compare letters and pick one.”— [PLACEHOLDER] Jim R., member, Traverse City, MI
“During open enrollment they checked my prescriptions against Part D plans and found one that covered everything for less. No pressure at all.”— [PLACEHOLDER] Linda S., member, Greenville, SC
Medicare FAQs
The answers people ask for most.
What are the parts of Medicare?
Part A covers hospital care, Part B covers medical and outpatient care, Part C (Medicare Advantage) is an all-in-one private alternative, and Part D covers prescription drugs. Medigap supplements Original Medicare’s out-of-pocket costs.
What’s the difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage?
Original Medicare (Part A and B) lets you see any provider that accepts Medicare and pairs with Medigap and Part D. Medicare Advantage bundles everything into one private plan with a network, often adding extras like dental and vision.
What is Medigap (Medicare Supplement)?
Medigap is private insurance that works with Original Medicare to help pay deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. Plans are standardized by letter (like Plan G or N) and let you see any provider that accepts Medicare.
Can I have both Medigap and Medicare Advantage?
No. Medigap works only with Original Medicare, not with Medicare Advantage. You choose one path — Original Medicare (with optional Medigap and Part D) or a Medicare Advantage plan.
When can I enroll in Medicare?
Your Initial Enrollment Period is a seven-month window around your 65th birthday. The Annual Enrollment Period (Oct 15–Dec 7) lets you change Advantage and Part D plans each year. Special Enrollment Periods may apply after certain life events.
Does Medicare cover dental, vision, and hearing?
Original Medicare generally doesn’t cover routine dental, vision, or hearing care. Some Medicare Advantage plans include these benefits, and standalone dental and vision plans can fill the gaps.
Are there penalties for enrolling late?
Yes. Part B and Part D can carry permanent late-enrollment penalties if you go without other creditable coverage after you’re first eligible. Enrolling during your Initial Enrollment Period avoids them.
Does Medicare have an out-of-pocket maximum?
Original Medicare has no out-of-pocket maximum, which is why many people add a Medigap plan to cap their costs. Medicare Advantage plans do include an annual out-of-pocket maximum.
Compare your Medicare options with confidence
Compare Advantage, Medigap, and Part D plans from the carriers we work with — free, no obligation, and guided by a licensed agent who answers your questions without pressure.
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Important Medicare disclaimer. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
Dean Insurance is not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program. This site is operated by a private company and is not the official Medicare site. Plan availability, benefits, premiums, and costs vary by location and may change each year. Enrollment in any plan is completed through a licensed insurance agent or the carrier. Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed this information.