What People Don't Realize About Medicare
By Daniel Petkevich
Mar 27, 2023
Avoid these pitfalls, and save money on your healthcare spending
Our team of experts has seen and done it all when solving the puzzles of Medicare. Here's what they say are the most common issues new to Medicare beneficiaries experience:
Speak with a Medicare Advocate
1. Misunderstanding the Part D Deductible
The deductible is how much you need to pay before insurance kicks in. Check out this excerpt from our blog post on Estimating Prescription Drug Costs:
"Many PDP plans are marketed as having a single deductible, but if you read the fine print, you'll see that some plans cover tier 1 and tier 2 drugs before the deductible is met."
Your deductible may vary with your choice of Part D plan. Deductibles cannot be higher than $590 per calendar year in 2025.
2. Missing out on Over-the-Counter Benefits
Some of our clients do not realize their Medicare Advantage plan might give them credit (sometimes ranging between $20-$300) to use for over-the-counter purchases of everything from daily supplements to wearable fitness trackers.
Check out our online OTC Catalog for some of the top insurance carriers:
3. Not adding the Part B premium to the Medigap/Medicare Advantage premium
You've probably seen "$0 premium" marketing for Medicare Advantage plans. But paying $0 per month is extremely rare. At the very least, you should expect to pay the standard Part B Monthly Premium of $185 in 2025. The standard premium is added to your Medicare plan monthly premium amount.
4. Higher-income beneficiaries paying more through IRMAA
Check out this chart to see how your income might affect your monthly Part B and Part D premiums:
If you're interested in doing a deep dive into IRMAA and what it means for you and your family, check out this article
Medicare can be confusing, but we're working to simplify it. Our licensed advisors are here to take your call. Click the button below, or dial (888) 454-2383.
Recommended Articles
Does Medicare Cover Wart Removal?
Jan 17, 2023
Finding the Best Vision Plans for Seniors
Jan 6, 2023
Does Medicare Cover SI Joint Fusion?
Nov 28, 2022
Does Medicare Cover Zilretta?
Nov 28, 2022
What to Do When Your Doctor Leaves Your Network
Jul 15, 2025
Does Medicare Cover Cardiac Ablation?
Dec 9, 2022
Does Medicare Cover Oxybutynin?
Dec 2, 2022
How Medicare Costs Can Pile Up
Oct 11, 2022
Does Medicare Cover Cataract Surgery?
Dec 22, 2022
Medicare Guaranteed Issue Rights by State
Feb 10, 2023
Does Medicare Cover Kidney Stone Removal?
Nov 23, 2022
Does Medicare Cover Hypnotherapy?
Nov 22, 2022
Is HIFU Covered by Medicare?
Nov 21, 2022
Can I Have Two Primary Care Physicians?
Oct 3, 2022
Medicare Advantage Plans for Disabled People Under 65
Mar 24, 2023
Does Medicare Pay for Varicose Vein Treatment?
Nov 18, 2022
Medicare Advantage MSA Plans
May 17, 2023
How Much Does Open Heart Surgery Cost with Medicare?
Jan 27, 2023
More of our articles
13 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Indianapolis
13 Best Ways for Seniors to Stay Active in Philadelphia
14 Best Ways to Stay Active in Charlotte
20 Questions to Ask Your Medicare Agent
Are Medicare Advantage Plans Bad?
Can Doctors Choose Not to Accept Medicare?
Can I Change Medicare Advantage Plans Any Time? | Medicare Plans
Can I switch From Medicare Advantage to Medigap?
Denied Coverage? What to Do When Your Carrier Says No
Do You Need Books on Medicare?
Does Medicare Cover Bariatric Surgery?
Does Medicare Cover Breast Implant Removal?
Does Medicare Cover Cervical Disc Replacement?
Does Medicare Cover Chiropractic Visits?
Does Medicare Cover Diabetic Eye Exams?
Does Medicare Cover Flu Shots?
Does Medicare Cover Fosamax?
Does Medicare Cover Hoarding Cleanup?
Does Medicare Cover Home Heart Monitors?
Does Medicare Cover Incontinence Supplies?
Does Medicare Cover Inqovi?
Does Medicare Cover Inspire for Sleep Apnea?
Does Medicare Cover Iovera Treatment?
Does Medicare Cover Jakafi?
Does Medicare Cover Ketamine Infusion for Depression?
Does Medicare Cover Kyphoplasty?
Does Medicare Cover Linx Surgery?
Does Medicare Cover Macular Degeneration?
Does Medicare Cover Mouth Guards for Sleep Apnea?
Does Medicare Cover Nexavar?
Does Medicare Cover Ofev?
Does Medicare Cover PTNS?
Does Medicare Cover Robotic Surgery?
Does Medicare Cover Service Animals?
Does Medicare Cover Shock Wave Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis?
Does Medicare Cover SIBO Testing?
Does Medicare Cover Stair Lifts?
Does Medicare Cover TENS Units?
Does Medicare Cover the Urolift Procedure?
Does Medicare Pay for Bunion Surgery?
Does Medicare Pay for Funeral Expenses?
Does Medicare pay for Opdivo?
Estimating Prescription Drug Costs
Everything About Your Medicare Card + Medicare Number
Explaining IRMAA on Medicare
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Medicare
How Are Medicare Star Ratings Determined?
How Do I Sign up for Medicare? A Simple How-To Guide For You
How Do Medigap Premiums Vary?
How Does the End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Affect Your Medicare?
How Much Does a Pacemaker Cost with Medicare?
How Much Does Medicare Cost?
How Much Does Xeljanz Cost with Medicare?
How to Compare Medigap Plans in 2025
How to Deduct Medicare Expenses from Your Taxes
Is Displacement Affecting Your Medicare Coverage?
Last Day to Change Your Medicare Part D Plan
Medicare & Ozempic
Medicare 101
Medicare Deductibles Resetting in 2025
Saving Money with Alternative Pharmacies & Discount Programs
Should You Work With A Remote Medicare Agent?
Welcome to Fair Square's First Newsletter
What Happens to Unused Medicare Set-Aside Funds?
What If I Don't Like My Plan?
What Is a Medicare Supplement SELECT Plan?
What People Don't Realize About Medicare
What to Do When Your Doctor Doesn't Take Medicare
What's the Difference Between HMO and PPO Plans?
When to Choose Medicare Advantage over Medicare Supplement
Which Medigap Policies Provide Coverage for Long-Term Care?
Will Medicare Cover it?
Get the Fair Square Bulletin
Medicare savings tips, helpful guides, and more.
Virgil Insurance Agency, LLC (DBA Fair Square Medicare) and www.fairsquaremedicare.com are privately owned and operated by Help Button Inc. Medicare supplement insurance plans are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. This is a solicitation of insurance. A licensed agent/producer may contact you. Medicare Supplement insurance is available to those age 65 and older enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B and, in some states, to those under age 65 eligible for Medicare due to disability or End-Stage Renal disease. Virgil Insurance Agency is a licensed and certified representative of Medicare Advantage HMO, HMO SNP, PPO, PPO SNP and PFFS organizations and stand-alone PDP prescription drug plans. Each of the organizations we represent has a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any plan depends on contract renewal. The plans we represent do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Plan availability varies by region and state. For a complete list of available plans please contact 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week or consult www.medicare.gov. © 2025 Help Button Inc
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
MULTIPLAN_FairSquareMedicare_01062022_M