Medicare is the federal health insurance program in the United States for individuals 65-years or older. Medicare may also cover younger patients with specific disabilities or health conditions.
Medicare is broken up into different parts, which are meant to cover specific health services. For example, Medicare Part A offers what’s known as “Hospital Insurance”, covering things like
hospital stays, nursing facility or hospice care, as well as some home health costs.

Medicare Part B, or what’s considered “Medical Insurance” covers medical supplies, preventative care, and outpatient health care. Medicare Part D is specifically for prescription drug coverage. Medicare Part C is what’s known as a Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans, which is paid for by users via an insurance provider. A Medicare Part C plan is purchased through a private insurer, who many charge A Part C plan premiums in addition to your Medicare premium. Depending on the state of your health, paying the additional premium can save you money in the long run.

Here are a few easy ways to save money on Medicare Part C costs:

1. Compare Medicare Advantage Plans
Advantage plans are an alternative to original/traditional Medicare. Original Medicare refers to Medicare Part A and B coverage. By law, Medicare advantage plan coverage must include the same basic coverage as traditional Medicare. As private companies advantage plan providers set their premiums and restrictions, so shop around.

A standard advantage plan restriction is that you can only see providers in-network providers. Some advantage plans offer $0 monthly premiums. Review your medical history with your doctor to determine if, with the deductibles, zero-dollar premiums are your best option. The patient is responsible for 100% of any medical expenses beyond the Medicare spending limit. Advantages plans do not have a spending limit.

2. Consider Medigap Plans
Commonly referred to as Medicare supplements, the letters A-N identify the level of a Medigap policy. Medigap policyholders must also be enrolled in Original Medicare. The higher the plan letter, the better the coverage, and the higher the premiums. All Medigap policies cover Parts A and B and hospice care deductibles, Transfusions up to three pints are covered. Additional coverage will vary with the policy provider. As with a Medigap policy, you will want to shop around.

Some Medicare supplement providers offer plans that cover the annual Medicare deductible. The right supplement can eliminate all out of pocket expenses. Base the Medigap plan you choose on your health history. If, for example, you purchase an F plan at $250 a month and pay $198 a month in Medicare premiums your total yearly health insurance premiums will equal $5,376. If your annual medical expenses exceed that amount, you are money ahead.

3. Enroll in a Medicare Savings Program
The advantages of a Medicare Savings Program or Medicare Savings Account (MSA) is that MSA holders have more control over their money and healthcare options. Unlike an advantage plan, MSA enrollees can save money by comparison shopping for providers. The account holder enrolls in a Medicare plan with deductibles higher than standard Medicare deductibles.

A Medicare savings account is opened through an insurance provider offering advantage plans. Yearly, Medicare budgets money to be placed in MSAs. Those allotments are dispersed by the insurance company. The account holder, not Medicare, is responsible for reimbursing healthcare providers. The funds in an MSA can only be used for legitimate medical expenses as defined by the IRS. Premiums for an MSA are the same as Medicare premiums and are paid to Medicaid. Once all deductibles have been met medical expenses are fully covered,