Covering the Bases: Health care options increase with Medicare Advantage Plans

Q: What are Medicare Advantage Plans?

A: To understand Medicare Advantage Plans, let's begin with Original Medicare. Original Medicare is the red, white and blue card, and it has two parts: Medicare A (hospital coverage) and Medicare B (medical coverage).

Original Medicare is what most people think of when they hear "Medicare." It has been in existence since 1965.

Here is a very simplistic overview of Original Medicare (using 2009 numbers). Medicare Part A has no premium and has a $1,068 deductible if you go into the hospital. Medicare Part B has a $96.40 per month premium...