Medicare Explained (2018)

Medicare Explained; the best video to explain Medicare covers what you need to know about Medicare Part A, Medicare Part B and the choices you have to make once you start Medicare. Medicare explained, Medicare Made Clear, Understanding Medicare. No matter how we word it, understanding Medicare is not always as easy as it looks.

Matthew Claassen is an independent Medicare insurance broker licensed in 47-states.

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In this video I am going help you learn about Medicare explained in an easy to understand format. By the end of this video Medicare will be made clear for you. You will understand how Medicare works. You will understand Medicare Part A & Medicare Part B and the choices you have to make once you sign up for Medicare.
Once you sign up for Medicare you will have to choose from one of three options. We will go over each of those three options and pros and cons you should consider before you make a decision.

Once you understand the Medicare basics of Part A and Medicare Part B, you will be faced with choosing one of three paths to take with your Medicare. This will be the most important Medicare decision you have to make because it could set you on a course that will impact the quality of your medical care and can potentially be irreversible.
To keep this video brief, I have a separate video that covers how, when and where to sign up for Medicare Parts A & Medicare Part B. I have it linked in the upper right of this video, you’ll see a white circle with a letter “i”. You can click on that at any time to go to the video on how to sign up for Medicare.

With terminology out of the way, next in the Medicare Explained video is Medicare Part A & Medicare Part B.
Medicare Part A is that portion of your health insurance that pays for your healthcare whenever you are an inpatient in a medical facility. As soon as you become an inpatient in a hospital, Medicare Part A takes over. The same when you become an inpatient in a skilled nursing facility or hospice. The one exception is that if you are not able to physically get to a medical facility for healthcare, Medicare Part A also pays for home healthcare.
Think of Medicare Part A is inpatient insurance.

Medicare Part B is the part of Medicare that pays for outpatient and physician services.
This is the portion Medicare insurance you use when you see a doctor or have lab tests or physical therapy and so on. Medicare Part B also includes some wellness coverage.
Medicare Part B is the part of Medicare people use most often because most of our medical care is via outpatient services. Even many surgeries and hospital services are now done as an outpatient and are thus covered under Medicare Part B.

Your Original Medicare (Part A & B) is good anywhere in the country. You can see any doctor, go to any medical facility in any state or territory, as long as they accept Medicare. You do not need to get permission from a primary care physician. You have both freedom to go where you need and control to see who you choose.

Also it is important to understand that Medicare Advantage Plans are local coverage. If you are a snowbird, and RVer or just travel the country that should rule MAPD as an option.

Next in our Medicare Explained video are your three choices.
You can do one of three things:
# 1 Do nothing. Just keep Original Medicare (Your Part A & B). This is the only choice that makes understanding those co-pays and deductibles very important. This is not an advisable choice because Original Medicare was never intended to be stand-alone health insurance. You will find when going over the details of the copays and the limits of the coverage that there is no maximum out-of-pocket limit on your potential financial obligation. You are at substantial financial risk.
Still, this is a choice some people make.
# 2 You can trade in your Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B for a Medicare Advantage Plan. Medicare Advantage plans are also called Medicare Part C.

#3 Your third choice is to keep you Original Medicare Parts A & B, but add a Medicare supplement plan that pays the co-pays and deductibles that come with just Original Medicare, so you don’t have to.

Get your Medicare Guide to supplements here: …
And your Medicare & You Guide here: …

for Part D drug plan info visit:
Also visit :

Medicare Explained / Medicare Part B & Medicare Part A (and Supplements)

42 thoughts on “Medicare Explained (2018)

    • Hi Tasso. “Out-of-pocket expense” refers to what you would be obligated to pay for medical bills. It does not include a monthly insurance premium. So yes, you can limit your out-of-pocket expense to zero or just a couple hundred dollars a year.

    • Cris – every person is different. My opinion is that I would only look at Medicare Advantage Plans after exhausting all other options with Medicare supplement plans. Only if a person simply cannot afford or qualify for a supplement (even a Plan F-HD) would I recommend a Medicare Advantage plan.

    • No, but I cannot for the life of me see why you would want to. It’s the best insurance coverage and lowest cost in the country.

    • What do you mean? Are you saying a person has no choice to opt out? I practice in homeopathic solutions, natural healing. Big Pharma drugs and chemicals going into my body are not what I want.

    • You can’t opt out but that doesn’t mean you must use it. Continue practicing the homeopathic solutions you prefer. That has nothing to do with Medicare until something goes wrong and you end up in the hospital needing Medicare A.

    • Thank you for your reply. At 63, I don’t fear death. I have witnessed too many of my parents generation used as guinea pigs by big pharma, doctors and abusive health care providers. When my time is done I will welcome it with open arms.

  1. I’d still like to know more about what to expect price-wise for a Medigap plan, just ballpark. I know that is the most difficult question to answer, but a ballpark would be nice…..

  2. Thank you very much. You are very knowledgeable about Medicare programs. You give details, but you also give a summary in written words. As a result, I understand most of what you have said except the difference between Medigap and Medical Supplement. An admirer in Seattle, Washington.

    • Hi Choy. Thank you for your kind words. “Medigap” and “Medicare Supplement” are two terms that describe the same thing. A Medigap Plan is a Medicare Supplement Plan and vise-versa. I hope that helps!

  3. If this video helped you better understand Medicare, please consider contacting us. We would love your business. 800-847-9680

  4. I am 61.5 years of age and on Medicare disability. When I first became disabled, I had no idea about the six month period (though I know I will have another six month chance when I turn 65.) But I was in no shape mentally to even begin to understand all this. And, as I had worked so much, I had paid at that time my max into SS so, of course, I qualify for no help. As I had moved at the end of 2016 from TX to IL, I had a year to figure out what to do as my part D was state-specific. I enrolled this year in AARP MedicareComplete, provided by UnitedHealthcare. Therefore, I can go back to regular Medicare and choose a drug plan by February 14. I am so confused. This year is a crucial year for me as I have had Hep C for 42 years (I had an active case when I contracted it, but my absolutely wonderful doctor knew that a new med was on the horizon for genotype 1 – I have 1b [thank u Vietnam] and, as I am single and suffer from bipolar, mixed – no psychosis just depression and some manic behavior, my doctor (who was the best – practiced until he passed at age 96 – & not for the money); and he had told me that he would make sure I did not go broke when the new meds (harvoni and likely vosevi [my hometown, where I now reside has a high incidence of Hep C so I do have much first-hand info]) and due to high viral load will need the full 12 weeks. But he passed away. Additionally, I will be keeping my psychiatrist in Houston as we have a long relationship and will not find anyone as good here. I am now having second thoughts re: the PCP and want the best drug plan available. Plus – I don’t know if I can even get a medigap plan now; probably must wait until I turn 65. Any info or advice is highly appreciated. My treatment will have me in the donut hole – boom! Thank you. Wish I’d found your videos earlier. TYVM. I’m not a phone person, but if you recommend that I call – I will. 🙁

    • Hi Linda. Thank you for your comments. I cannot provide personal guidance via YouTube. If you need my help and guidance, please call my office at 800-847-9680.

  5. I now understand the difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. Your videos are great! You explain so much for this important topic. Thanks for the information!

  6. My dad is 65 now. We would like to get Medicare Advantage for him. Would you please let me know what are the pros and cons of Medicare Advantage? Thank you so much!

  7. I am working on getting my insurance producer license right now. I want to sell med- Supp iinsurance. I found your video very informative and easy to understand. Thank You. 360-986-6200

  8. Matthew was so clear in his videos concerning Medicare and supplement plans! I wish I had seen these before I signed up for Medicare originally. If you are new to Medicare, do yourself a favor and listen as he explains the original Medicare and how the supplements impact your coverage….and your pocketbook!!! Matthew, the only suggestion I would make to this great video is in the explanation of the deductible. For those who don’t understand deductibles, it was not mentioned that deductibles start over at the beginning of every calendar year. If you did state that, I apologize for missing it!! All of your videos that I have listened to have been super informative and helpful!! Thanks!!

    • Thank you for your kind words Karen. I do detail the Annual Deductible for Part B and per event deductible for Part A in other videos. This video intentionally avoided those details so we can focus on the big picture.

  9. I like your video, it’s very clear easy to understand about Medicare and very informative. Thank you.

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