Best Medicare Companies in Wisconsin (2025)

Medicare is divided into four parts: Part A, Part B, Part C, and Part D. Part A covers inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and home health care. Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient services, preventive care, and medical equipment. Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage, is a combination of Part A, Part B, and often Part D, and is offered by private insurance companies. Part D is prescription drug coverage.

Original Medicare refers to Part A and Part B, which are offered by the federal government. Medicare Advantage, also known as Part C, is offered by private insurance companies and includes Part A, Part B, and often Part D. Medicare Advantage plans may also offer additional benefits, such as vision, hearing, and dental coverage.

In general, you can only make changes to your Medicare coverage during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), which occurs from October 15 to December 7 each year. However, there are certain circumstances, such as moving to a new area or losing other health coverage, that may allow you to make changes to your coverage outside of the AEP.

Many people choose to purchase additional insurance, such as a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy or a Medicare Advantage plan, to help cover some of the out-of-pocket costs that Medicare does not cover. Medicare Part D, which covers prescription drugs, is also available as a separate plan.

Medicare Advantage Plans, also known as Part C plans, are offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. These plans provide all of the benefits of Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and may offer additional benefits, such as vision, dental, and hearing coverage. Many also include prescription drug coverage. Medicare Advantage Plans often have provider networks and may require referrals or prior authorization for certain services.

Yes, you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan even if you have pre-existing conditions. Insurance companies that offer Medicare Advantage Plans cannot deny you coverage based on your health status or medical history. However, some plans may have certain restrictions or limitations on coverage for pre-existing conditions.

To enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan in Wisconsin, you must first be enrolled in Original Medicare (Parts A and B). You can then visit the Medicare Plan Finder on the Medicare website to compare plans available in your area. You can also contact individual insurance companies directly to learn about their plan options and enroll.