If you’ve signed up for Original Medicare (Parts A & B) and added a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan like Plan F, G, or N, you’re in great shape for comprehensive coverage. Here’s a simple checklist of what to expect—and what to do next.
📬 Watch for Your Medicare Card and Supplement ID Card
You’ll receive two cards in the mail:
- Your red, white, and blue Medicare card (if you don’t already have it)
- A separate card from your Supplement (Medigap) provider
💡 Use your Medicare card at all medical appointments, and your Medigap card to help cover your share of costs like deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.
🩺 Choose a Primary Care Doctor
With Original Medicare + a Supplement, you can see any doctor in the U.S. who accepts Medicare—no networks, no referrals needed.
✅ Still, it’s smart to choose a primary care doctor to coordinate your ongoing care. Most specialists will want your records from a primary doctor first.
Need help finding a doctor who accepts Medicare? Call us at 844-329-1444—we’re happy to help!
🗣️ Important Tip for Scheduling Appointments
When making your first appointment, the office will likely ask:
“Who is your insurance provider?”
✅ Always say “Original Medicare.”
Many people mistakenly give the name of their supplement provider (like Aetna, Cigna, Mutual of Omaha, etc.). This can cause confusion and lead the office to say:
“Sorry, we don’t take that plan.”
That’s because they think you have a Medicare Advantage plan, not Original Medicare with a supplement.
💡 So be clear: “I have Original Medicare and a Medicare Supplement.”
📅 Schedule Your Annual “Welcome to Medicare” or “Wellness” Visit
Depending on when you enrolled:
- If this is your first 12 months on Medicare, you’re eligible for a “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit
- After your first year, you can schedule a Yearly Wellness Visit
These visits are covered by Medicare and help create a baseline for your future care. You’ll review your medical history, current prescriptions, and get a personalized prevention plan.
Here are some of the most common preventive screenings and services covered under Medicare:
- 🩺 Annual Wellness Visit
- 🧪 Lab tests & screenings (cholesterol, diabetes, etc.)
- 💉 Vaccines (flu, pneumonia, hepatitis B, etc.)
- 👁️ Vision screenings for diabetic patients
- 🧠 Depression or cognitive health checks
- 👩⚕️ Women’s Health Screenings, such as:
- Mammograms
- Pap smears & pelvic exams
- Bone density testing
- 👴 Prostate and colorectal cancer screenings
🆓 These services are typically covered 100% by Medicare—so don’t wait to schedule!
💊 Pair With a Prescription Drug Plan (Part D)
Medigap plans do not include drug coverage, so make sure you enrolled in a separate Medicare Part D plan.
✅ Review your plan’s formulary and pharmacy network.
💊 If you didn’t enroll in a Part D plan when first eligible, you could face a late enrollment penalty—so don’t skip this step.
🏥 Understand What’s Covered (and What’s Not)
Your Medigap plan helps pay the costs Original Medicare doesn’t cover, such as:
- Coinsurance and hospital costs
- Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
- Part A and B deductibles (depending on your plan)
However, Medigap does NOT cover:
- Dental, Vision, or Hearing
- Long-term care
- Prescription drugs (unless you added Part D)
📞 Save Important Numbers
Keep these handy for peace of mind:
- Medicare: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)
- Your Medigap Plan Provider
- Your Part D Drug Plan Provider (if applicable)
- Our Office: 844-329-1444 – We’re here to help you every step of the way.
💡Good to Know: You can switch Part D drug plans annually during the Medicare Open Enrollment Period (Oct 15 – Dec 7). Medigap plan changes are subject to medical underwriting after your initial enrollment, so choose wisely from the start!
Don’t have Original Medicare?
👉 Click here to read: “What to Do After Enrolling in a Medicare Advantage Plan
🚨 Beware of Unsolicited Calls
You may start receiving calls from people claiming to be with Medicare or your plan provider, saying things like:
“We found a better plan for you,”
“You need to switch to keep your benefits,” or
“We’re calling on behalf of Medicare.”
These calls are often misleading and are not allowed unless you requested information.
✅ HANG UP. Then call your trusted Medicare agent or Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE.
You can always reach us at 844-329-1444 for guidance and clarity.
This blog is for educational purposes only and does not provide advice or recommendations for any specific Medicare plan. For full benefit details, please contact your Medicare plan provider directly or visit www.Medicare.gov.
Our agency is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.
