Original Medicare
Your hospital and medical coverage.
Medicare guide
Keep Original Medicare. Consider the gaps.
Medicare Supplement insurance, also called Medigap, helps pay certain costs that Original Medicare leaves to you.
Read the transcript
There are two ways to get your Medicare insurance. I'm going to explain it in about 60 seconds. Hi, I'm Julianne Dickey, We Care Medicare, your local Medicare insurance advocate.
Path one is Original Medicare, Parts A and B. This acts as your primary. Most people add a Medicare Supplement and a separate drug plan.
The Medicare Supplement, also called Medigap insurance. There are many plans to choose from, and I help you choose the right one. Path two.
Medicare Advantage. This is a private plan that has equivalent to A and B, and usually includes your Part D, all in one card. The differences that matter are networks, referrals, co-pays, out-of-pocket limits, premiums versus co-pays, and extra benefits like dental and vision.
Neither path fits everyone. Your doctors and prescriptions decide, not the ads. Bring me your doctors and we'll compare.
Let's make Medicare make sense together.
The Original Medicare path
See where each piece fits.
Optional Medigap
A separate policy to help with specified Medicare cost-sharing.
Separate drug coverage
Prescription coverage is usually a separate Part D decision.
Medigap supplements Original Medicare. It is not Medicare Advantage. Compare separate premiums and the benefits of the specific policies.
How Medigap fits with Parts A and B
With this coverage path, you keep Original Medicare and buy a separate Medigap policy from a private insurer. A policy can help cover specified deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance, depending on the plan you choose.
Medigap is different from Medicare Advantage. It supplements Original Medicare rather than providing your Medicare benefits through an Advantage plan. Prescription drug coverage is usually a separate Part D decision.
Doctor access and travel
Original Medicare lets you use doctors and hospitals nationwide that accept Medicare. A Medigap policy helps with the covered cost-sharing under its terms. This can be useful when you travel or divide your time between places.
Ask about the specific plan benefits, exclusions, premiums, and how costs may change with age or over time. Different Medigap plans do not cover every expense in the same way.
Understand the monthly and annual costs
Compare the Medigap premium, your Part B premium, and the premium and costs for a separate Part D plan. In 2026, the standard Part B annual deductible is $283. Whether a particular expense is covered depends on the Medigap plan.
A higher monthly premium may mean less cost-sharing for covered services, but that is a tradeoff to review against your budget and expected use of care.
Enrollment timing matters
Your initial Medigap enrollment opportunity and other guaranteed-issue rights can affect whether health questions or underwriting apply. Do not cancel existing coverage until you understand the new policy's acceptance and start date.
The California Birthday Rule
California has a birthday-related opportunity for eligible people who already have Medigap to review and change coverage under specific rules. It is not a general opportunity to switch to any insurance product.
Ask Julianne to review the timing, your existing benefits, and the permitted replacement coverage around your birthday. Compare premiums without assuming every plan or change qualifies.
Talk it through
Your questions belong here.
Julianne can help you understand how this applies to your own coverage and plans.
Call JulianneNo fee for Medicare guidance. Julianne is paid directly by insurance companies.
A conversation is a good place to start
You don't have to work this out alone.
Tell Julianne what's changing in your life. Together, you can work through your coverage questions and next steps.
Contact Julianne
What would you like help with?
Send a message or request a conversation. Julianne will follow up with you directly.
(805) 441-9093
support@wecaremedicareplans.com
Monday through Friday
8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Closed Saturday and Sunday
Serving San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties, from Paso Robles to Lompoc. Meetings at your home or an agreed location. Before any in-home appointment, California law requires 24 hours’ written notice, which Julianne sends you in advance.