One important thing to note: There are four parts to Medicare: Parts A, B, C and D.
Parts A and B are original Medicare. It pays 80% of hospital procedures, dr visits, etc.
Part C is Advantage Plans. If you choose part C, you are NOT on medicare; you are with an insurance company.
Part D covers medications
If you decide to stay on original medicare, you can purchase a supplement (medigap) plan to cover the remaining 20%. The insurance company has NO SAY in whether you get a procedure done or not. They agree to pay the remaining 20%. If your doc says you need a knee replacement - you get it. Whatever your doctor says you need - you get. Also, you are not limited to a network. You can go to any dr who accepts Medicare, anywhere in the country.
On an Advantage Plan, the insurance company has to approve any procedure the doctor says you need, and you are limited to a network.
I hope this didn't make it more confusing. I spent hours watching videos explaining how it all works! It's not as hard to understand once you really dive into it!
There is a large price spread on the part G policies. Any advice to follow on choosing? I am ready to switch back to medicare with part G.