Think of this as your base layer of protection. It’s provided by the federal government, but it has significant gaps.

Part A (Hospital): This covers "room and board" for inpatient hospital stays and skilled nursing. For most, there is no monthly premium if you’ve worked 10+ years.

Part B (Medical): This covers your doctor visits, outpatient care, and durable medical equipment. There is a monthly premium set by the government, which is usually deducted from your Social Security check.

The "20% Gap": Original Medicare generally pays 80% of your costs. There is no "out-of-pocket maximum," meaning the 20% you owe could be unlimited unless you add a secondary plan.

The Bottom Line: Parts A & B are the foundation, but most people need a "top layer" to protect their savings from that 20% exposure.

This is the most important decision you'll make. There are two primary ways to fill the gaps in Original Medicare.

Path A: Medicare Supplement (Medigap)

The Feel: Maximum freedom. Use any doctor in the U.S. who accepts Medicare.

The Cost: You pay a higher monthly premium, but you have little-to-no costs when you actually go to the doctor. It’s total predictability.

Path B: Medicare Advantage (Part C)

The Feel: All-in-one convenience. These plans often include dental, vision, and hearing.

The Cost: Usually $0 or very low monthly premiums. You "pay as you go" through co-pays at the doctor’s office and must stay within a network of providers.

The Bottom Line: Neither path is "better"—one is just better for you. We’ll help you "look under the hood" of both.

Prescription drug plans (Part D) are offered by private companies. Even if you don't take meds today, this step is vital.

Avoid the Penalty: If you don’t have "creditable" drug coverage, Medicare assesses a permanent late-enrollment penalty that you’ll pay for the rest of your life.

The Annual Review: Formularies (the list of covered drugs) change every year on January 1st. What was cheap this year might be expensive next year.

The GHW Promise: We analyze your specific medications against the available plans every single year to ensure you’re always in the lowest-cost option.

The Bottom Line: Part D is about more than today’s pills; it’s about protecting your future pharmacy budget.