Medigap plans, also called Medicare supplement insurance plans, cover some of the costs not paid by Original Medicare (Parts A & B). For example, Medicare Part B typically pays 80 percent of the cost for a covered service, such as a doctor visit. You would be responsible for the other 20 percent of the cost, which a Medigap plan may cover.

Every year we hold our collective breath waiting to hear what Medicare will cost when January 1 rolls around. Medicare recently announced the numbers, and this is what we learned about Medicare costs in 2020.

Medicare Part B (medical insurance) provides one-time coverage for the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program if all three of these conditions apply:

Medicare Part B covers one glaucoma screening test once every 12 months if you are at high risk. You’re at high risk for glaucoma if one or more of the following applies to you:

Medicare covers the following outpatient mental health care services:

Original Medicare (Parts A & B) does not have an out-of-pocket limit. In other words, you are responsible for a share of your health care costs with Medicare no matter how high the costs are.

Medicare HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) plans and Medicare PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plans differ mainly in the rules each has about using the plan’s provider network. In general, Medicare PPOs give plan members more leeway to see providers outside the network than Medicare HMOs do.

Medicare covers a device called an ambulatory blood pressure monitor for use once a year when ordered by a doctor. It does not cover regular “cuff” blood pressure monitors except for people undergoing dialysis at home.

You may file an appeal if you disagree with a coverage or payment decision made by Medicare or by your Medicare health or prescription drug plan. You may appeal  if you receive a denial any of the following:

Your Medicare plan automatically renews at the beginning of each year unless you change it, but you might not get exactly the same benefits. Insurance companies review and refine their Medicare plan benefits annually.