Final answer:
To fill gaps in Medicare Original Plan coverage, individuals can purchase Medigap policies or enroll in Medicare Advantage Plans, which may offer additional benefits. Medigap helps cover out-of-pocket costs while Medicare Advantage Plans provide an alternative way to receive benefits.
Step-by-step explanation:
Gaps in Medicare Original Plan coverage can be filled by purchasing additional private insurance policies known as Medigap or Medicare Supplement Insurance plans. These policies are designed to cover costs not covered by the Original Medicare Plan, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. Medigap policies are offered by private insurance companies and help to reduce the out-of-pocket expenses for enrollees. Additionally, there's also the option of Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C), which is an alternative way to receive Medicare benefits through private insurance companies that contract with the government. These plans often include extra benefits and may include prescription drug coverage (Part D).
It's important to note that Medicare and Medicaid are two of the main publicly funded healthcare programs in the United States, each serving different populations. Medicare primarily serves people over sixty-five and those who meet disability standards, whereas Medicaid serves individuals with very low incomes. The inception of Medicare in 1965 was a critical step in providing health insurance for the elderly, and over time, additional features such as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA or Obamacare) have been enacted to further address the health care needs of Americans, including expanding Medicare prescription drug coverage.