DEAR SUN SPOTS: Having had original Medicare for 20 years, I am notified that my monthly premium in 2015 will be $191.75 as well as continuing the monthly deduction of over $100 on my Social Security check.

This is with one of the AARP Medicare plans I have had since its inception. Now it is my understanding that Medicare Advantage Programs are free. What on earth am I going to get for over $200 a month next year that the Advantage Plan does not offer? — No Name via email

ANSWER: For a response, Sun Spots consulted Roland Bussiere, a Medicare specialist at SeniorsPlus, who often has provided invaluable information for the column. Much of the information for today’s answers came from him, and Sun Spots had him read the column for accuracy before publication.

First, she’ll start with some explanation of the various plans from Medicare.gov (a terrific website, very easy to use and understand).

Part A is the basic, almost-always free coverage for hospitalization you receive at age 65 (there are ways to get it earlier, such as if you are disabled). It generally covers hospital care, skilled nursing facility care, nursing home care (as long as custodial care isn’t the only care you need), hospice and home health services.

Part B is optional and covers medical (doctor), preventive services and services such as clinical research, ambulance, durable medical equipment, mental health, inpatient and outpatient, partial hospitalization, getting a second opinion before surgery and limited outpatient prescription drugs

The 2015 monthly charge for Part B, which most people pay out of their Social Security check, is $104.90, the same as in 2014, unless you have an income of $85,000 or more, in which case the charge goes up (see medicare.gov/your-medicare-costs/part-b-costs/part-b-costs.html).

Part C, or Medicare Advantage, can cover many different things, including some of Parts A, B and Part D (drug coverage), co-pays and deductibles. It is different in that it is administered by private companies, although it may be totally or partially paid for by Medicare. It is undergoing some changes in 2015, with some plans ending and the subsidies declining. This is way too complicated to address in general, so readers will want to consult Roland and his colleagues for help with their plan.

Part D is drug coverage. These plans are also administered by private companies, and the fees, deductibles and coverages usually change each year. Open enrollment is Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, so if you want to change your plan, the time is now.

One other product is Medigap insurance to cover what Medicare doesn’t. A Medigap policy is different from a Medicare Advantage Plan. Those plans are ways to get Medicare benefits, while a Medigap policy supplements your original Medicare benefits, covers the Medicare A & B co-pays and deductibles depending on what type of GAP plan you have. (See medicare.gov/supplement-other-insurance/medigap/whats-medigap.html for more information.)

No Name did not provide the name of her plan, but Roland figures she has a Supplement C or F plan. This covers co-pays and deductibles for Parts A and B, 100 percent. You can use any doctor that accepts Medicare, in any state as long as Medicare covers, you pay nothing.

The free Advantage plan limits you to their doctor, their network, may not work out of state and does not cover everything, such as co-pays for hospitals and medical expenses.

Roland says the $200 gives you peace of mind. Everything, as long as Medicare pays first, is covered.

No Name and any senior citizen with questions about Medicare (or anything else for that matter) should visit SeniorsPlus or one of the other Area Agencies for Aging for help. Call 877-353-3771.

MEDICARE/MAINECARE: Roland wrote Sun Spots recently to point out an error she made in her response to Maureen (Oct. 18), who wrote about her telephone bill and Lifeline.

It turns out you can be on both Medicare and MaineCare (which is Maine’s Medicaid program) at the same time. Roland wrote: 

“Folks who have MaineCare and Medicare are called duals. Individuals with monthly income under $1,777 or couples with monthly incomes under $2,394 ($2,755 if only one of two apply) qualify for the Medicare Savings Program and the state pays for Medicare B premium.

If they are a Qualified Medicare Beneficiary, the program will pay Medicare premiums, co-pays and deductibles. These programs, QMB, Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary and Qualified Individual, have assets limits: single $58,000, couples $87,000.” For more information on the Medicare Savings Program call your local Area Agency on Aging.

Qualifying for MaineCare also qualifies you for other programs, such as Lifeline. 

Sun Spots knows many seniors would qualify for MaineCare based on income alone, but the asset limit (savings, pensions, IRAs) would eliminate them.

You can own your own home and qualify for MaineCare. However, your home as well as other assets may be subject to Estate Recovery. This means if you sell your home or after you die, the proceeds from the sale of your home will go toward paying back benefits you received.

Roland shared more on programs available for those who qualify for MaineCare, but Sun Spots will have to save that for another day, as she is out of column!

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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