a.  Leave everything as is and reduce their profits,

b.  Increase monthly premiums for the plans,

c.  Reduce and/or cut certain benefits and

d.  Increase the plan out-of-pocket expenses as well as what qualifies for such.
 

People often talk about Medicare as if it were one product. There are actually four parts to the Medicare program.
 

Part A helps to cover hospital expenses

Part B helps to cover medical expenses

Part C Medicare Advantage Plans

Part D Medicare-sponsored prescription drug plans
 

Medicare recipients can also purchase Medicare Supplement Insurance coverage, to help pay some of the health care costs that the Original Medicare does not cover.
 

The Medicare Advantage (like HMOs and PPOs) is Medicare approved and administered by private companies and provides all of the Part A (hospital) and Part B (medical/doctors office) coverage. By joining one of these plans, the Medicare recipient is still part of the Medicare program. These Medicare Advantage Plans do have some criteria that needs to be met in order to join them.  They do not all offer the same level of benefits and cost share / out-of-pocket expenses. Medicare Advantage Plans generally offer extra benefits, and many include Medicare Part D, the prescription drug coverage. These plans often have medical networks, which mean that you may have to see doctors who belong to the plan or go to certain hospitals to get covered services. In many cases, your costs for services can be lower than in the Original Medicare, but it is important to check with the plan as the costs for services may vary greatly amongst the plans.
    
Each person is different and has different medical needs and prescription drug requirements. Without doing the proper homework, Medicare recipients could be exposed to unnecessary costs by selecting the wrong plan. Many do not research the prescription drug costs and fall in the coverage gap (donut hole), or they do not consider their lifestyle in their plan selection, eg. Original Medicare has no overseas medical coverage.
 

For assistance in navigating your Medicare Plan Options, contact an independent benefit consultant who is contracted and certified with a broad portfolio of different Medicare plans. An independent agent will assess your individual health plan needs and help you select the best plan for you.