This means the doctor agrees to accept Medicare’s fee as payment in full. The doctor agrees to bill no more than the approved charged for a service.

As you age, your premiums will become higher. This term refers to Medicare supplement plans.

The person who has the health insurance through the Medicare program.

A private insurance company.

The federal agency that runs the Medicare program.

A cost sharing where costs are split on a percentage basis.

Also called managed care, your primary physician coordinates your health care services along with certain specialists and hospitals.

A set dollar amount that you have to pay for a health service.

Health or prescription drug coverage that you have previously had.

The fixed dollar amount you must pay for health care or prescription drugs before your health plan, drug plan, or Medicare would then pay.

The difference between what your doctor charges and what Medicare would approve.

A list of the prescription drugs that are covered by a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. This plan would be through a private insurance company.

Rights that you have in certain situations whereby you cannot be denied a Medicare supplement policy.

Your right to automatically have your Medicare supplement policy renew year after year, unless you commit fraud or don’t pay your premiums.

A type of Advantage Plan where you need to use doctors and hospitals in the plan’s network.

A seven month period that begins 3 months before you turn 65, or are otherwise eligible, and ends 3 months after the month you become eligible. This term applies to Medicare Parts B, C and D.

Premiums are set at the age you are when you buy a Medicare supplement policy and will not increase because you get older. Premiums will increase for other reasons.

A state and federally funded program that pays for health care for individuals with low income.

A term that refers to a Medicare supplement policy.

A group of doctors, hospitals, pharmacies or other health care professionals that have entered into an agreement with the health plan carrier to provide services to its members.

A period of 6 months where you can buy any Medicare supplement, as long as you sign up for Part B of Medicare. You cannot be denied coverage for health reasons.

From January 1st through March 31st, there is an Open Enrollment Period. During this time, you can change your current MA or MA-PD (Medicare Advantage/Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug) to a new MA or MA-PD, dis-enroll from your MA or MA-PD plan and return to original Medicare. After dis-enrolling from a MA or MA-PD and returning to original Medicare, you can enroll in a stand alone Part D Prescription Drug Plan (PDP). This enrollment period is only for those currently on an Advantage plan.

The maximum dollar limit that you will have to pay on an Advantage plan. This amount varies per plan.

A type of Advantage Plan where there may not be a network, but you need to use providers who are willing to accept the terms and conditions of the plan.

A type of Advantage HMO plan that allows it’s members to visit doctors and hospitals outside of the network for some covered services without getting a referral. There is usually a higher cost share if you go outside of the network.

A person or organization that provides medical services, such as a hospital, doctor, clinic, lab or pharmacy.