Medicare plans, sorted into plain English
Six kinds of coverage, one friendly advisor. Learn what each plan does, who it suits, and what it costs in Southern Arizona.
All plan types
Original Medicare (Parts A & B)
The federal foundation: Part A for hospital stays and Part B for doctor visits, tests and outpatient care.
A good fit for
- People who want any doctor that accepts Medicare nationwide
- Snowbirds who split the year between Arizona and another state
- Anyone pairing it with a Medigap plan for predictable costs
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
Private plans approved by Medicare that bundle hospital, medical and usually drug coverage, often with dental and vision.
A good fit for
- People who mostly get care in Pima County
- Budgets that favor low or $0 monthly premiums
- Anyone who wants dental, vision or fitness benefits in one card
Medicare Supplement (Medigap)
Standardized plans that pay the deductibles and coinsurance Original Medicare leaves behind.
A good fit for
- People who want predictable costs and few surprise bills
- Travelers and snowbirds who need nationwide access
- Anyone with ongoing specialist care or planned surgeries
Part D Prescription Drug Plans
Stand-alone drug plans that pair with Original Medicare, priced by the medications you actually take.
A good fit for
- Anyone on Original Medicare with or without a Medigap plan
- People taking brand-name or specialty drugs
- Couples who want separate plans matched to separate prescriptions
Special Needs Plans (SNPs)
Medicare Advantage plans designed for people with Medicaid, certain chronic conditions or long-term care needs.
A good fit for
- People with both Medicare and AHCCCS (Arizona Medicaid)
- Anyone living with diabetes, chronic heart failure or COPD
- Residents of nursing homes or assisted living
Dental, Vision & Hearing Coverage
Routine care Original Medicare skips: cleanings, glasses and hearing aids, through Advantage extras or stand-alone plans.
A good fit for
- Anyone with Original Medicare and no routine dental coverage
- People expecting crowns, dentures or implants
- Hearing aid wearers who want an allowance every few years
The ABCs (and D) of Medicare
Tap a part to see what it covers. Figures are 2026 amounts shown as samples.
Part A: Hospital insurance
Inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing after a qualifying stay, hospice and some home health care. Most people pay no premium.
Read more- $0 premium with 40 work quarters
- $1,736 deductible per benefit period (2026)
- Covers semi-private rooms and meals
Part B: Medical insurance
Doctor visits, lab tests, imaging, outpatient surgery, medical equipment and preventive screenings.
Read more- $202.90 standard monthly premium (2026)
- 20% coinsurance after the deductible
- No yearly out-of-pocket cap on its own
Part C: Medicare Advantage
Private plans that bundle Parts A and B, usually Part D, and often dental, vision and hearing.
Read more- Yearly out-of-pocket maximum
- HMO and PPO networks
- Many $0 premium options in Pima County
Part D: Prescription drugs
Stand-alone drug plans for people on Original Medicare, or built into most Advantage plans.
Read more- $2,100 yearly out-of-pocket cap (2026)
- Insulin capped at $35 a month
- Late penalty if you delay without coverage
Not sure which plan fits?
Tell us about your doctors, prescriptions and travel plans. We will narrow six options down to one or two.