Being able to keep your doctor is very important, especially when you start having medical problems. If you only have original Medicare (Part A & Part B), you can usually keep your doctor so long as that doctor accepts Medicare patients. Most do, but there are some doctors that do not. Just, ask your doctor if he or she accepts Medicare patients.

The vast majority of people will enroll in a secondary insurance plan to cover what Medicare does not cover. Here are some of those options and the highlights of each type of plan:

Medicare Supplement Plans (Medigap Plans)

• There are no networks with a Medicare Supplement Plan.

• You can see any healthcare provider in the country.

• Referrals are not needed to see a specialist.

• The insurance company can NOT overrule a procedure the doctor orders.

• If your plan is a "select" plan, then you must use the authorized hospitals by the insurance company hospitals, otherwise you would be required to pay the hospital deductible.

HMO Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C)

• You may only use doctors within your network.

• The Insurance Company can remove your doctor from the network at anytime meaning that if your doctor was dropped by the insurance company, then you would need to select a new doctor.

• You MUST have a referral to see a specialist.

• All procedures your doctor orders must be approved by the insurance company. The company has the right to refuse or alter the procedure.

PPO Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C)

• Allows you to receive care from both in-network and out-of-network doctors.

• Out-of-network doctors will cost you more.

• No referral needed to see a specialist.

• All procedures that your doctor orders must be approved by the insurance company and they have the right to refuse or alter the procedure.