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How is Medicare Different?

Medicare is a little different than health care insurance plans that you’ve had before.

When you’re under 65, plans likely include medical and prescription drug coverage. Plans through your work may have had dental and vision coverage.

Medicare’s basic coverage includes hospital and medical benefits from Medicare Parts A and B. But Medicare doesn’t cover everything. Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans fill in the gaps that Medicare doesn't cover. These plans cover the roughly 20% of costs that Medicare doesn’t cover.

Learn more about Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans.

If you need coverage for your medications, there are prescription drug plans. These plans only cover prescription drugs. They are often used along with Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans. They are not part of Medicare, and you pay for them separately.

Learn more about Prescription Drug Plans.

If you want coverage that’s like what you’ve had before, there are Medicare Advantage plans. These plans cover the medical and hospital benefits of Medicare Parts A and B, plus prescription drug coverage, and may offer dental and vision care. All the benefits come from one plan, so you don’t need to manage multiple plans.

Learn more about Medicare Advantage Plans.

Help Me Choose a Plan

Already a BCBSNM member? If you are age 64 or older, use the Help Me Choose tool to find the plan that's right for you.

Not a BCBSNM member? If you’re not sure what plan you need, answer a few questions to help you decide.

Now that you’ve picked a plan, it’s time to enroll.

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Last Updated: Aug. 31, 2023