Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Supplement & Senior Care

Compassionate Primary Care for Seniors

At Washington Internal Medicine, we are proud to care for seniors and are accepting Medicare patients.

As we get older, regular primary care becomes increasingly important. Preventive care, management of chronic medical conditions, medication review, and coordination with specialists can all help seniors maintain their health, independence, and quality of life.

Our goal is to provide personalized, comprehensive primary care for Medicare patients and their families.

Understanding Your Medicare Options

Medicare can be confusing. There are several different types of Medicare coverage, and understanding the difference between them can help you make informed decisions about your healthcare.

Medicare Part A – Hospital Coverage

Medicare Part A generally helps cover:

Inpatient hospital care
Skilled nursing facility care
Hospice care
Certain home health services

Medicare Part B – Medical & Physician Services

Medicare Part B generally covers medically necessary outpatient healthcare services, including:

Primary care and physician visits
Preventive services
Diagnostic testing
Certain medical equipment
Outpatient medical services

Medicare Parts A and B together are commonly known as Original Medicare.

Medicare Part D – Prescription Drug Coverage

Medicare Part D provides prescription drug coverage through private insurance plans approved by Medicare.

Prescription coverage is particularly important for seniors who take multiple medications for chronic conditions.

Medicare Advantage Plans – Medicare Part C

Medicare Advantage, also called Medicare Part C, is an alternative way to receive your Medicare benefits through a private insurance company approved by Medicare.

Medicare Advantage plans generally provide coverage for Medicare Part A and Part B services and may also include additional benefits, depending on the specific plan.

Some Medicare Advantage plans may include benefits such as:

Prescription drug coverage
Dental benefits
Vision benefits
Hearing benefits
Wellness programs
Transportation or other additional services

However, Medicare Advantage plans are not all the same. Each plan may have different provider networks, benefits, copayments, deductibles, and rules regarding referrals or prior authorization.

Why Your Medicare Advantage Plan Matters

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, it is important to make sure that your primary care physician and other healthcare providers participate in your specific plan.

Even if a medical practice accepts Medicare, that does not necessarily mean every Medicare Advantage plan is accepted.

Insurance participation can change, so we encourage patients to contact our office and provide their current insurance information so our staff can help verify participation.

Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans

Medicare Supplement, commonly called Medigap, is different from Medicare Advantage.

Medigap policies are private insurance policies designed to help pay some of the healthcare costs that Original Medicare does not fully cover, such as certain deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.

A Medigap plan generally works alongside Original Medicare.

Original Medicare + Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage

A simple way to think about the difference:

Original Medicare + Medigap

Medicare Parts A and B provide your Medicare coverage
Medigap may help with certain out-of-pocket costs
You can generally see any provider who accepts Medicare
You may purchase a separate Part D prescription drug plan if needed

Medicare Advantage

A private Medicare-approved insurance company provides your Medicare benefits
Usually combines Part A and Part B coverage
Many plans include prescription drug coverage
May offer additional benefits
You generally need to follow the plan's network and coverage rules

Neither option is automatically right for everyone. Your healthcare needs, preferred physicians, prescription medications, costs, and insurance network should all be considered when choosing coverage.

Caring for Seniors Goes Beyond Treating Illness

Senior healthcare isn't just about treating problems when they occur. We believe in taking a proactive approach to maintaining health and independence.

Our primary care services can include:

Preventive health visits and screenings
Management of diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and other chronic conditions
Medication review and management
Evaluation of new or changing symptoms
Preventive vaccinations when appropriate
Coordination of care with specialists
Follow-up after hospitalization or emergency care
Health and wellness counseling
Management of multiple chronic medical conditions

We understand that many seniors have complex healthcare needs involving several physicians, medications, specialists, and medical conditions. Our goal is to help bring those pieces together and make your healthcare easier to understand and manage.

We Are Accepting Medicare Patients

Washington Internal Medicine is accepting Medicare patients.

Whether you have Original Medicare, a Medicare Supplement/Medigap plan, or a Medicare Advantage plan, we encourage you to contact our office to learn more about becoming a patient.

Because Medicare Advantage plans and insurance networks vary, please provide our staff with your insurance information so we can verify whether your specific plan is accepted.

Have Questions About Your Medicare Coverage?

Choosing or understanding Medicare coverage can be complicated. Our office can help you understand our participation and the types of Medicare coverage we accept, but we do not recommend or sell Medicare insurance plans.

For questions about choosing, changing, or enrolling in a Medicare plan, patients should speak with Medicare, their insurance company, or a licensed Medicare insurance professional.

Your Health Matters at Every Age

Medicare is an important part of your healthcare, but having a trusted primary care team is just as important.

At Washington Internal Medicine, we are committed to providing compassionate, personalized care to our senior patients and helping them stay healthy, independent, and informed.

If you are looking for a primary care physician and have Medicare coverage, contact our office today to learn more or schedule an appointment.