Medicare Playbook
At Diversified Insurance Brokers, we help individuals navigate Medicare with confidence. Our Medicare Playbook is your step-by-step guide to understanding the different parts of Medicare, identifying the best coverage for your needs, and avoiding costly mistakes that can affect your healthcare and finances. Whether you’re approaching age 65, already enrolled, or considering a switch, this playbook explains your options in plain language and gives you the strategies we’ve used to help thousands of clients make informed decisions.
What’s Inside the Medicare Playbook
Inside, you’ll discover:
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Medicare Basics—how Parts A, B, C, and D work together
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Enrollment timing rules—when to sign up to avoid penalties
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Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans—how they work and who benefits most
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Medicare Advantage plans—key pros and cons to consider before enrolling
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Prescription drug coverage—how to compare Part D plans and avoid gaps
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Annual plan review strategies—to ensure you’re not overpaying for coverage you don’t use
Types of Medicare Coverage We Explain in Detail
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Original Medicare (Parts A & B)
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What’s covered and what’s not
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How deductibles, coinsurance, and copays work
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Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans
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Plan letter differences (Plan G, Plan N, etc.)
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How to choose the right supplement for your health and budget
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Medicare Advantage (Part C)
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HMO vs. PPO plans and why your choice matters
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Extra benefits like dental, vision, and hearing coverage
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Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D)
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How to find a plan that covers your medications affordably
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Avoiding the Part D late enrollment penalty
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Who Should Use the Medicare Playbook
This guide is perfect for:
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People turning 65 and new to Medicare
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Those considering switching from Medicare Advantage to Medigap (or vice versa)
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Retirees who want to lower healthcare costs without sacrificing coverage
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Anyone confused by Medicare’s rules, deadlines, and options
Why Work With Diversified Insurance Brokers
Choosing Medicare coverage isn’t one-size-fits-all. Here’s how we help:
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Access to multiple carriers to compare plans side-by-side
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Unbiased advice—we work for you, not the insurance companies
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Annual reviews to keep your coverage aligned with your changing needs
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Expert enrollment assistance to avoid costly mistakes
Example Scenarios Covered in the Playbook
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A client saving $900/year by switching from Medicare Advantage to a Medigap Plan G
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A retiree finding a Part D plan that covers all prescriptions for less than $15/month
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A couple enrolling in Medicare at the right time to avoid lifelong penalties
Get Your Copy of the Medicare Playbook
Don’t let Medicare confusion cost you money or coverage. Request your copy of the Medicare Playbook today and make your next enrollment decision with confidence.
FAQs: Medicare Playbook
What is the Medicare Playbook?
It’s a step-by-step guide to help you compare Medicare paths (Original Medicare + Medigap + Part D vs. Medicare Advantage), estimate total costs, and time your enrollment to avoid penalties—using plain-English checklists and comparison tips.
Who should use it?
People turning 65, retirees changing coverage, and anyone reviewing plans during the Annual Election Period—or after a life change (move, retirement, loss of employer coverage).
What choices does the Playbook compare?
Original Medicare (Parts A & B) + optional Medigap + Part D versus Medicare Advantage (Part C). It outlines pros/cons, costs, networks, travel rules, and how extras like dental/vision are handled.
Does it cover enrollment timelines and penalties?
Yes—Initial Enrollment Period, General Enrollment, Annual Election Period, Medigap open enrollment, Special Enrollment Periods, and how to avoid late penalties for Part B and Part D.
Can the Playbook help me estimate total annual cost?
It shows how to add premiums, deductibles, copays/coinsurance, and drug costs—plus how MOOP (maximum out-of-pocket) works in Medicare Advantage and how Medigap can reduce cost variability.
How does the Playbook address prescription drugs?
It explains Part D and Advantage drug coverage, formularies, preferred pharmacies, tiers, prior auth, and how to check your medications against plan lists before enrolling.
What about doctors and networks?
It clarifies that Medigap has no networks (you can see any provider accepting Medicare), while Advantage plans use HMOs/PPOs with network rules and referral/prior-auth requirements.
Does it include guidance for chronic conditions?
Yes—how coordinated care, specialist access, drug coverage, and supplemental benefits can differ, and how to weigh those against premiums and out-of-pocket exposure.
Are dental, vision, and hearing discussed?
The Playbook explains that Advantage plans may bundle these benefits, while Original Medicare + Medigap usually requires stand-alone DVH plans. It shows how to compare allowances and annual maximums.
Can I switch paths later?
Often yes—during eligible periods. The Playbook highlights underwriting risks when moving into Medigap later and the windows when Advantage changes are allowed.
Does it help if I keep working past 65?
It covers how employer coverage interacts with Medicare, whether to delay Part B, how creditable drug coverage works, and how to use a Special Enrollment Period when you retire.
How do I use the Playbook to pick a plan?
Follow the checklists: confirm doctors/hospitals, list prescriptions, compare premiums and out-of-pocket limits, review extras, and select during the correct enrollment window. Keep a worksheet of your assumptions and final choice.
About the Author:
Tonia Pettitt, CMIP©, is a seasoned Medicare specialist with more than 40 years of hands-on experience guiding individuals and families through the complexities of Medicare planning. As a senior advisor with the nationally licensed independent agency Diversified Insurance Brokers, Tonia provides clear, dependable guidance across all areas of Medicare—including Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), and Part D prescription coverage. Leveraging active contracts with dozens of highly rated insurance carriers, she helps clients compare options objectively and secure the most suitable coverage for their health and budget.
Known for her patient, education-first approach, Tonia has built a reputation as a trusted resource for retirees seeking reliable, unbiased Medicare support. With four decades of experience across evolving Medicare laws, carrier changes, and plan structures, she brings unmatched insight to every client conversation—ensuring clients feel confident, protected, and fully prepared for each stage of their retirement healthcare journey.
