Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) is provided by the federal government, and many Medicare beneficiaries are automatically enrolled.

But you may want to also consider a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan that can offer benefits not found in Original Medicare. 

Our Medicare plan finder tool is an easy way to get started finding Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans available in your area.

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You may also view Medicare plans by state and by county or learn how to compare Medicare Advantage quotes, and you can get help by using this Medicare enrollment guide.

Using the Medicare.gov Plan Finder in 2023

The Medicare.gov Plan Finder is a tool from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that allows you to search for Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plans available where you live.

The CMS Medicare Plan Finder can be a helpful way of compiling some of your options into one place so that you can more easily narrow down your selection.

However, the plan finder tool on Medicare.gov requires you to go through many steps. You may find it easier to speak directly with a licensed insurance agent for help.

Plus, a study published by the U.S. Government Accountability Office showed that three out of four Medicare beneficiaries struggle to use the CMS Medicare Plan Finder because it is “difficult to navigate, contains complex terms, and lacks information needed to compare coverage options.”²

The difficulty in using the site was such that Medicare.gov launched a revamped plan finder tool in recent years in an effort to make things easier for users.  

How to get started with the CMS Plan Finder

There are two ways to utilize the Medicare Plan Finder:

1. Log in or create an account
2. Continue without logging in

There is also an option on the bottom of the page to compare Medigap policies in your area.

Step 1

Once you begin a search, you will be asked whether you want to learn more about Medicare plan options or to skip ahead and view plans because you know what you want.

Step 2

If you choose to learn more about your options, the Plan Finder tool will walk you through different Medicare coverage combinations and provide some basic information about each:

• Original Medicare
• Original Medicare + Medigap (another name for Medicare Supplement Insurance)
• Original Medicare + Part D
• Original Medicare + Medigap + Part D
• Medicare Advantage

Once you review your options and understand the type of Medicare coverage combination you're interested in, you can click "Ready to Continue."

Step 3

Now that you know what type of plan you want and you're ready to view plans, can select the coverage you want.

Once you select your coverage, you will be asked for the following information:

• Your zip code
• Your Medicare number (if available)
• Your birthday
• Whether or not you receive help paying your Medicare premiums through a program such as Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income
• Whether or not you wish to see drug costs as part of your plan comparison
• How you normally fill your prescriptions 
• Which drugs you currently take
• Your preferred pharmacies

Step 4

The Medicare plans that are available near you that fit your coverage needs will then be displayed.

You will be able to compare plans based on information such as their premiums, deductibles, benefits and Medicare Star Ratings.³

What types of Medicare plans can I find?

There are several different types of Medicare coverage options you may be able to consider.

• A Medicare Health Plan is another name for plans that include Medicare Advantage plans, also called Medicare Part C.
  
  Medicare Advantage plans provide all the same coverage as Original Medicare, and can offer other benefits not included in Original Medicare. 
  
  
• Medicare Supplement Insurance, or Medigap, provides coverage for out-of-pocket costs that Medicare doesn't cover, such as deductibles, copayments and coinsurance.
  
  
• A Prescription Drug Plan (Medicare Part D) provides coverage only for prescription medications.
  
  If you're looking for a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, you can compare Part D plans in your area and enroll in a plan online when you visit MyRxPlans.com.

Depending on where you live and the plans that are available near you, you may be able to select Medicare plans from a list of private companies.

How do I compare plans by Medicare Star Ratings?

Each year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services rates all Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plans using a five-star scale.³

Plans with five stars are the highest rated plans.

Plans are rated on the following criteria:

• Screening tests and vaccines
• Management of chronic conditions
• Member experience with the plan
• Member complaints and changes in plan performance
• Customer service
• Drug safety and accuracy of drug pricing 

The data used to score each plan comes from member surveys, information submitted to Medicare from clinicians and plans and Medicare’s regular monitoring activities. 

How do I choose a Medicare plan?

When shopping for Medicare coverage, you may want to consider the following:

• Do you need prescription drug coverage?
  
  
• Do you want coverage for routine dental care, vision care and hearing aids?
  
  
• Would you like to take on a higher monthly premium in exchange for lower out-of-pocket costs?
  
  
• Do you have a favorite doctor or other health care provider that may or may not belong to specific plan networks?
  
  
• Do you travel frequently?
  
  
• Would you like to have the financial protection that an annual out-of-pocket spending limit can provide?

An agent can help guide you through these considerations so you can make an educated and informed decision about your care. 

You can also read Medicare plan customer reviews to learn more about the Medicare plan shopping process.

Enrolling in a Medicare plan

Once you have found a Medicare plan that suits your needs, the next step is to enroll.

There are different times of the year in which you may enroll in Medicare or switch Medicare plans, and special circumstances may lead to one person having different enrollment periods than another person.

It helps to make sure that you are eligible for a Medicare plan prior to enrolling.

Another easy way to find Medicare plans

As helpful as the Medicare.gov Plan Finder is, it’s not the only way to search for and compare Medicare plans in your area.

One alternative is to speak with a licensed insurance agent. An agent can discuss your health care needs and compile a list of available Medicare plans in your area.

Most importantly, an agent can help answer questions you are sure to have about costs, coverage, terms and conditions of plans and help you better understand exactly what it is you are shopping for.