Medicare Supplement Insurance (aka Medigap) is extra insurance you can buy from a private health insurance company to help pay your share of out-of-pocket costs in Original Medicare.

Medicare advantage plans or Part C are a type of Medicare health plan offered by contracting private companies. You still get complete Part A and Part B coverage through the plan. Plans may offer some extra benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t cover – like vision, hearing, and dental services.

Medicare prescription drug plans or Part D help pay for prescription drugs you need. It's optional and offered to everyone with Medicare. Even if you don’t take prescription drugs now, consider getting Medicare drug coverage. If you decide not to get it when you’re first eligible, and you don’t have other creditable prescription drug coverage (like drug coverage from an employer or union) or get Extra Help, you’ll likely pay a late enrollment penalty if you join a plan later. Generally, you’ll pay this penalty for as long as you have Medicare drug coverage.

To get Medicare drug coverage, you must join a Medicare-approved plan that offers drug coverage. Each plan can vary in cost and specific drugs covered.