What would my costs look like in a bad health year on Medicare?

The full explanation

Think through a scenario where you have a hospital stay, follow-up specialist visits, a procedure, and ongoing prescriptions. Under each type of Medicare, that same year looks very different financially.With Original Medicare and no supplement, you'd pay the Part A hospital deductible, which applies per benefit period, and 20 percent coinsurance for most outpatient and physician services. There's no annual out-of-pocket cap with Original Medicare alone, so a truly bad year can expose you to significant costs.With a Medicare Supplement plan added, most of that coinsurance and many of the deductibles are covered, depending on the plan type. Your monthly premium is higher, but your actual costs during a hard year are much more predictable and often lower overall.With a Medicare Advantage plan, you have an annual out-of-pocket maximum, which is the most you'd pay in a calendar year for covered services. Once you hit that number, the plan covers the rest. That cap can range considerably by plan, so check the specific number before enrolling. You'd also have copays or coinsurance for each service along the way, and drug costs are separate under most plans.Prescription costs in a bad health year can add up quickly too, especially if new medications are prescribed. Plan details and costs change annually, so verify current figures with your specific plan.