A surprising share of Medicare confusion starts with a simple unknown: people are not certain whether they have Original Medicare, a Medicare Advantage plan, a supplement, drug coverage, or some combination. You cannot shop sensibly until you know the starting point.
1. Your medicare.gov account
Sign in at medicare.gov and open your coverage page. It lists your Part A and Part B effective dates and names any Part D or Medicare Advantage plan you are enrolled in, with the contract number. This is the authoritative record.
2. Your cards and your September mail
- Red, white and blue Medicare card used at the doctor's office means Original Medicare (Parts A and B).
- A card from a private insurer used instead means you are in a Medicare Advantage plan; the card usually names the plan type (HMO, PPO, or SNP).
- RxBIN, RxPCN or RxGroup numbers on the card indicate prescription drug coverage.
- A separate supplement card with a plan letter means you hold a Medigap policy.
Every plan must mail an Annual Notice of Change by the end of September, listing what changes on January 1. Keep it — it is the prompt to re-shop during Annual Enrollment.
3. Call and ask
1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) operates around the clock and can confirm your enrollment. For free, unbiased help reading what you find, your State Health Insurance Assistance Program counselor is at shiphelp.org.
Now compare
With your current coverage confirmed, run the comparison against it rather than in isolation — the question is never "is this plan good" but "is this plan better than what I have." Start with the Plan Finder guide and the comparison checklist.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I find out what Medicare plan I have?
- Sign in at medicare.gov and open your coverage details, which list Original Medicare Parts A and B plus any Part D or Medicare Advantage plan you are enrolled in. Your plan member ID card and the Annual Notice of Change letter mailed each September show the same information.
- How can I tell if I have Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage?
- If your primary card is the red, white and blue Medicare card and you show it at the doctor's office, you have Original Medicare. If you show a card issued by a private insurer such as Aetna, Humana or UnitedHealthcare, you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan.
- Do I have Part D drug coverage?
- Check whether your card lists an RxBIN, RxPCN or RxGroup number, which indicates drug coverage. Most Medicare Advantage plans include it; with Original Medicare or Medigap you would need a separate standalone Part D plan.
- What is the Annual Notice of Change letter?
- It is the document your plan must mail by the end of September describing every change to premiums, cost-sharing, formulary and network for the coming year. It is the single most useful piece of mail you receive about your coverage, and it is the trigger to re-shop.
- Who can I call to confirm my Medicare coverage?
- Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), available 24 hours a day, and they can confirm what you are enrolled in. Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program also offers free one-on-one help.
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