Original Medicare is health insurance provided by the U.S. government for people who are 65 and older, and people who are younger than 65 with certain health conditions. Original Medicare helps pay for things such as some doctor visits, surgeries and stays in the hospital. But it doesn’t cover all of your medical care.

You can enroll in Original Medicare through the Social Security Administration (SSA). But to get other health insurance benefits you may need, like hearing exams, eye exams and prescription drug coverage, consider enrolling in a private Medicare plan that covers more of what Original Medicare doesn’t.

Original Medicare and Medicare Supplement plans don’t include prescription drug coverage (Medicare Part D). If you enroll in one of those plans, you’ll also need to enroll in a stand-alone Part D plan if you want coverage for prescriptions.

If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, Medicare Part D is usually included.

Original Medicare doesn’t have a network – you can see any doctor in the U.S. who accepts Medicare, without a referral. Our Minnesota Medicare Supplement plans work the same way.

If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, it’ll have a custom Medicare network of doctors, specialists and other providers you can see. It’s important to see providers that are in network – if you get care from an out-of-network provider, you’ll likely pay more.

Original Medicare and Medicare Supplement plans only cover dental care that’s part of a hospital stay, dental surgery to treat fractures, care needed after jaw surgery, and reconstruction needed after certain procedures and select other situations.

All our Minnesota Medicare Advantage plans feature a dental benefit that can be used for certain preventive care and certain comprehensive care. You can also add on supplemental Medicare dental coverage if you need more benefits.

We also offer separate senior dental plans across Minnesota.

Original Medicare only offers coverage within the U.S. You can see any provider who accepts Medicare and get the same coverage as if you were at home. But if you travel out of the country, your Original Medicare benefits won’t tag along.

Our Minnesota Medicare Supplement plans offer the same U.S. coverage as Original Medicare. You’ll also have worldwide emergency care coverage, with one plan offering coverage for additional international care as well.

Our Minnesota Medicare Advantage plans include in-network coverage for up to nine months of annual U.S. travel. You’ll also have coverage for travel counseling from a provider, and worldwide emergency and urgent care coverage.