Choosing the right Medicare health plan is one of the most important decisions you can make. But, sorting through all the different plans can be confusing. We're here to help!

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What to look for when shopping for Medicare Health Plans

Their are many different Medicare health plans available to seniors across the country. From a benefit standpoint, many of these plans have identical structures. This is particularly true of Medicare Supplement Plans, as the benefits are regulated and plans A-N are identical regardless of provider.  The other major type of Medicare health plans are called Medicare Advantage plans, (which can take the form of HMO, PPO, or other types). View the 2011-12 Medicare Plan Ratings.

The major differences between plans offered by competing health insurance companies are 1) monthly premiums 2) network size and availability (if network based plan is selected) 3) customer satisfaction and 4) treatment and prevention performance

You should know that the least expensive plan is not always the best plan. Medicare providers vary greatly. Make sure you look at the following

• amount of co-payments
• amount of deductible
• yearly premium
• yearly maximum
• network of doctors and hospitals

When looking for a prescription drug plan, remember to make a list of your prescription drugs and check the plan's formulary to make sure they are covered. Decide what is important to you and go from there.

To begin comparing Medicare health plans to determine which plan best fits your needs, simply enter your zip code above to begin. You are under no-obligation to purchase anything.

There's no getting around it, you must do your research when it comes to choosing the right Medicare health plan and provider for you.