Medicare
Medicare Advantage, Supplement, and Part D serve different purposes. Callie helps you compare the coverage options around your doctors, prescriptions, budget, and enrollment timing, with explanations in plain language.
Free guidance from a licensed broker, with your doctors and prescriptions in view.
Start with the differences.
Medicare Advantage is an alternative to Original Medicare. Medigap supplements Original Medicare, while Part D provides prescription drug coverage. Start by understanding which path you are comparing.
Private, Medicare-approved plans that provide your Part A and Part B benefits. Most include drug coverage; networks, out-of-pocket costs, and extra benefits vary by plan.
Helps pay some out-of-pocket costs in Original Medicare, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. Medigap works with Original Medicare, not Medicare Advantage.
Standalone drug coverage to pair with Original Medicare. Review each plan's covered-drug list, pharmacy network, and the costs for your own prescriptions.
Your care comes first.
A plan comparison is only useful if it reflects how you get care. Review your providers, medicines, total costs, and other coverage together before making a decision.
Check the specific providers and facilities you use. Participation, referral rules, and out-of-network coverage depend on the coverage option.
Compare each medicine, dosage, and preferred pharmacy with the plan's drug list, coverage rules, and estimated costs.
Look at premiums, deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and applicable out-of-pocket limits, rather than the plan premium alone.
Review your Medicare start dates, any employer or retiree benefits, and the enrollment rules for the option you are considering.
Enrollment timing
Getting Medicare, joining a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan, and buying Medigap have different enrollment rules. Callie helps you review the timing for your situation.
When you first become eligible
Review your Part A and Part B start dates and the initial enrollment opportunity for health or drug coverage. If you are leaving employer coverage, check how the transition affects your timing.
October 15 to December 7
Medicare's annual Open Enrollment is a time to review and change Medicare Advantage and Part D coverage. Medigap has separate enrollment rules; this window does not guarantee access to a Medigap policy.
When circumstances change
Certain situations, such as a move or a change in coverage, may qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period. The available changes and deadlines depend on the event.
Make a useful start.
A useful Medicare comparison starts with the providers you see, the medicines you take, and the coverage you already have. Include any upcoming retirement or move so enrollment timing can be reviewed.
Request a Medicare reviewReview before changing plans. Confirm provider participation and prescription coverage with the plan and your providers. If you have employer or retiree coverage, check with its benefits administrator before making a change.
A little clarity.
Get help with the differences between coverage options, the care you use, and when you can enroll.
Ask about your Medicare optionsIt depends on the coverage and your situation. Medicare's annual Open Enrollment, October 15 to December 7, allows changes to Medicare Advantage and Part D coverage. Initial and Special Enrollment Periods may also apply. Medigap has separate rules, so do not assume you can buy or switch a Supplement policy during the fall window. Callie can help check the timing that applies to you.
Provider access depends on the coverage option. Medicare Advantage plans may have network and service-area rules; Original Medicare lets you see providers who take Medicare. Callie can help compare your specific doctors, hospitals, prescriptions, and pharmacies. Confirm current participation with the plan and your providers before enrolling.
Our Medicare guidance is free to you. We're compensated by carriers. Your coverage may still have premiums, deductibles, copayments, and other costs, which Callie helps explain as you compare options.
No. Medicare Supplement Insurance, also called Medigap, works with Original Medicare to help pay some of your share of covered costs. It does not supplement Medicare Advantage. If you are considering a change between these paths, review enrollment timing and Medigap eligibility before ending current coverage.
With Original Medicare, you can choose a standalone Part D plan for prescription coverage. Most Medicare Advantage plans include drug coverage, so a separate Part D plan is usually unnecessary with those plans. Check your current drug coverage and the rules for the specific plan before making a change.
Explore the details.
General-enrollment Medicare Advantage PPO offerings fell by 190 for 2026, about 12%. Understand the cost pressures, payment changes, and what to check if your plan ends.
Read the guideThe tradeoffs between Advantage and Supplement plans, explained without the alphabet soup.
Read the guideMatch Medicare enrollment dates to the coverage you need, with separate rules for Part B, Advantage, Part D, employer coverage, and Medigap.
Read the guide
Compare medications, formularies, pharmacies, and yearly costs, with verified 2026 and 2027 Part D limits and a practical look at the payment plan.
Read the guideClient experiences.
“Finding such expertise on the subject has been a gift, and I appreciate the roadmap to navigate the various possibilities.”
“She gave me several options that were easy to understand and found a plan that was perfect for me.”
Your next step starts here.
Get a free, no-obligation Medicare review from Callie.
