Consumer Guide: Wisconsin Medicare
Medicare is the largest health insurance program in the U.S. It’s the main source of health insurance for people 65 years of age and older and for some people with disabilities.
CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) runs this program. They have a lot of helpful details online at Medicare.gov.
When you have Medicare, you should also think about:
- Supplemental insurance (called Medigap).
- Managed care plans (called Medicare Advantage).
- Prescription drugs and how much your plan covers.
Medigap supplemental insurance
When you have Medicare, you may still have to pay for some of your health care costs. Medigap can help cover expenses that Medicare doesn’t pay for. Medigap is what’s known as supplemental insurance. It’s extra insurance you can buy from a private company.
Before you get Medigap, you should shop around for the right plan. Wisconsin law says that all Medigap plans must offer certain basic benefits. Many plans offer other benefits too. Your premium, or how much you pay to have Medigap, can vary. The costs for some plans can vary by hundreds of dollars. You should know what you have to pay and what the plan covers before you choose a plan.
Learn more about Medigap:
- How to Buy a Medigap Policy—Find a guide to choosing a Medigap plan and what steps to complete.
- Medicare Supplement Insurance Policies List 2022 (PDF)—View a list of supplemental health insurance plans that you can buy in Wisconsin.
- 2022 Guide to Health Insurance for People with Medicare in Wisconsin (PDF)—Find a guide to Medicare options, including supplemental insurance.
For more help, call the Medigap Helpline.
Medicare Advantage plans
In some parts of Wisconsin, people with Medicare can get benefits through a managed care plan. This is a specific type of plan. View these resources for more information.
- Consumer’s Guide to Medicare Advantage in Wisconsin (PDF)—Learn about options under Medicare Advantage, pros and cons, and important questions to ask.
- Find a Medicare Plan—Learn about Medicare Advantage plans near you. The Medigap Helpline also can offer support.
Prescription drugs
People with Medicare can choose plans that pay for some prescription drug costs. This is known as a Part D plan. Learn more about Part D:
Before you apply for Part D, think about whether SeniorCare is a better choice. It’s a prescription drug assistance program in Wisconsin. It helps people living in the state, 65 years of age and older, who are eligible.
Related topics
- BenefitsCheckUp—Find public programs that may pay for home health care costs. This resource is from the National Council on Aging.
- Long-Term Care Insurance
- Medicare and Medicaid for Those with Disabilities
- What Part B Covers—Learn about Medicare Part B. Wisconsin Physicians Service is in charge of this for the state. It helps pay for doctor services, hospital care (outpatient), and other health care.