Confused by Medicare Advantage? You’re not alone.
You’ve probably heard the promises—$0 premiums, bundled drug coverage, even extras like dental, vision, and hearing. It sounds great… until the fine print leaves you wondering what’s really included and what’s just marketing.
The truth? Medicare Advantage can be a smart choice—but only if the plan fits your unique situation.
At Mere, we help you cut through the noise. Our team walks you step-by-step through your options so you understand exactly what you’re signing up for. We don’t just check if your doctor is in-network—we check if your whole life fits the plan.
Not all Medicare Advantage plans work the same way—and picking the wrong one could mean surprise bills, limited doctors, or coverage gaps when you least expect it. At Mere, we help you compare the details and avoid common pitfalls, so you can feel confident about the plan you choose.
Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans In most HMOs, you can only go to doctors in your network (except in an urgent or emergency situation).
Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans In a PPO, you pay less if you use doctors in your network. You usually pay more if you go outside of your network.
Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans PFFS plans are similar to Original Medicare in that you can generally go to any doctor as long as they accept the plan’s payment terms. The plan determines how much it will pay and how much you must pay when you get care.
Special Needs Plans (SNPs) SNPs provide specialized health care for specific groups of people, like those who have both Medicare and Medicaid, live in a nursing home, or have certain chronic medical conditions.
Medical Savings Account (MSA) plans These plans combine a high-deductible health plan with a bank account. Medicare deposits money into the account (usually less than the deductible). You can use the money to pay for your health care services during the year. MSA plans don’t offer Medicare drug coverage. If you want drug coverage, you have to join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
HMO Point-of-Service (HMO-POS) plans HMO plans may allow you to get some services out-of-network for a higher copayment or coinsurance.
Combines medical, hospital, and often prescription coverage in one plan
Includes extras like dental, vision, and hearing benefits
Often low or $0 premiums
Emergency and urgent care coverage included
Eligibility is not based on income or health history
Doctor networks are limited (you may need referrals or can’t see out-of-network providers)
Changing to a Medigap plan later may not be allowed or could require medical underwriting
Plan benefits, costs, and networks can change yearly
Higher potential out-of-pocket costs due to copays and coinsurance
Chronic Special Needs Plans (C-SNPs) Some Medicare Advantage plans are built specifically for individuals managing certain chronic health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or COPD.
Veteran-Focused Plans If you have TRICARE or VA benefits, there may be Medicare Advantage plans designed to work with your military benefits—offering added value, flexibility, and savings.
Our licensed advisors are ready to answer your questions and guide you toward the right coverage.
Cost will vary along with plan type from county to county. The best thing to do is schedule a consultation with us so that we can review which plans are available in your area and determine if the plans available would offer you additional benefits such as dental, vision, and hearing benefits. You can also press the "Click to Call" button below to reach us today!
For Self-Employed Individuals Exploring Health Insurance Outside the Marketplace
Yes! We regularly host free Medicare 101 webinars and in-person seminars to help you understand your options and get your questions answered.
Check out our Events Page to find an upcoming webinar or seminar near you — and reserve your spot!
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people 65 and older, certain younger individuals with disabilities, and those with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). Eligibility typically starts at age 65 based on your work history or your spouse’s.
Medicare includes:
Part A (hospital coverage)
Part B (medical coverage)
Part C (Medicare Advantage plans that bundle A, B, and often D)
Part D (prescription drug coverage — Learn more about Part D plans here)
If you are already receiving Social Security benefits, you'll usually be enrolled automatically in Part A and Part B. Otherwise, you need to enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period. If you plan to add prescription coverage, be sure to explore Part D options here.
Most people should enroll during their Initial Enrollment Period — a 7-month window surrounding your 65th birthday.
If you need additional protection beyond Original Medicare, you can learn about Medicare Supplement plans here.
Original Medicare (Part A and B) allows you to see any doctor who accepts Medicare nationwide.
Medicare Advantage (Part C) is offered by private companies and often includes extras like dental, vision, or gym memberships. Learn more about Medicare Advantage plans here.
Medicare Supplement plans help cover costs like copays, coinsurance, and deductibles that Original Medicare doesn't pay for.
If you want predictable out-of-pocket costs and nationwide provider access, read about Medicare Supplement options here.
Yes! You can:
Review your coverage annually during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15–December 7)
Qualify for a Special Enrollment Period after certain life events You can update your Part D, Medicare Supplement, or Medicare Advantage coverage based on your needs.
Enroll in Part B and Part D when you first become eligible unless you have qualifying employer coverage.
If you skip Part D coverage and don't have creditable drug coverage, you could face a lifelong penalty — Learn more about Part D here.
You might be able to delay Part B and Part D without penalty if your employer coverage qualifies. It's important to understand how that impacts future enrollment in Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage plans.
Our licensed team helps you:
Understand your choices
Compare different plan types
Stay updated year after year We work with most major insurance companies and help you find the Medicare coverage that best fits your needs — at no cost to you.
A Certified Medicare Insurance Planner® (CMIP®) has completed advanced, specialized training in Medicare planning and solutions. This certification goes beyond basic licensing, equipping advisors to guide clients with greater expertise, strategy, and care. Choosing a CMIP® ensures you’re working with someone who deeply understands how Medicare fits into your overall retirement and healthcare planning.
At Mere, we believe Medicare should be simple, not overwhelming.
Our team is licensed, certified, and continuously trained to stay ahead of changes in Medicare.
We focus on listening first — helping you find the coverage that fits your unique needs.
We offer ongoing support year after year, not just at enrollment.
We work with most major insurance carriers and advocate for your best interest — not just one company’s plan. Our mission is simple: Helping you make informed, confident choices. (And there’s no cost to you for our services!)
Medicare Advantage plans offer bundled coverage (hospital, medical, and usually prescriptions) and often include extra benefits like dental and vision. But they also come with trade-offs like limited networks and potential for higher out-of-pocket costs.
Feeling overwhelmed by all the choices?
We created a step-by-step guide to make Medicare — and Social Security — simple.
We created a step-by-step guide to make Medicare — and Social Security — simple.
This is a solicitation of insurance. A licensed insurance agent with Mere is contracted with multiple carriers offering Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans. Enrollment depends on contract renewal. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY:1-877-486-2048) to get information on all your options.
This site is owned and operated by Mere, an independent insurance agency. It is not associated with, endorsed by, or authorized by the Social Security Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services, or the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. For official information about Medicare, visit www.medicare.gov.
Certified Medicare Insurance Planner™
DBA, authorizes the use of its trademarks CMIP®, and Certified Medicare Insurance Planner™ to agents that have met Certified Medicare Insurance Planner™, DBA administration's initial and ongoing requirements. The Federal Government, CMS, and Medicare do not affiliate with or endorse ANY professional designation, which includes the CMIP® designation.
Need Help? The MereCare Team is here for you year-round.
Licensed Insurance Agency
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency, including the United States government, the federal Medicare program, the Social Security Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services, or the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
This is a proprietary website and is not associated with Healthcare.gov.
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