What are the two main paths through Medicare?

Medicare has Part A, Part B, Part D, Medigap, Medicare Advantage, supplements, excess charges, HMOs, PPOs, Initial Enrollment Periods, Special Enrollment Periods, Annual Enrollment Periods, guaranteed issue, out-of-pocket maximums and blah, blah, blah.

But for most people, there are two main paths through Medicare.

You can use Original Medicare and usually add a Medicare Supplement plus a separate Part D drug plan, or you can get your Medicare-covered services through a Medicare Advantage plan.

The government also calls Medicare Advantage ‘Part C,’ just to make the whole thing sound one step more confusing.

Either way, you must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B; the difference is whether Original Medicare or a private Medicare-approved Advantage plan administers those benefits—and down the rabbit hole we go.

Source: Medicare.gov: Your coverage options

This general educational information is not individual plan advice. Plan availability and benefits vary by location and contract year.