Decision: Advantage vs. Original.  (Whether or not receiving benefits subsidized by HP or HPE.)

The major decision is between Medicare Advantage vs. Original. (Original Medicare is sometimes referred to as "Traditional Medicare.")

The most helpful explanation of the Advantage vs Original choice: pages 11-12 of the very clear, official "Medicare & You" book. A clear and complete table detailing the point-by-point differences between Original and Advantage.

The pdf file is very well done -- terms, phrases, and issues are hotlinked to sections in the book or to other articles on the medicare.gov site.

Official Medicare articles on Advantage vs. Original+Medigap+Drug Medicare:

Switching: "You can only join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) , other Medicare health plan, or Medicare drug plan (Part D) at certain times, called enrollment periods." 
Official site:  https://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans/joining-a-health-or-drug-plan

Medigap: "How Medicare works with other insurance" COBRA, "4 things to find out about your retiree coverage"  "Buy a policy when you're first eligible" "Medigap & travel"
https://www.medicare.gov/supplements-other-insurance/how-medicare-works-with-other-insurance

"Guaranteed issue rights" -- when insurance companies "...must sell you a Medigap policy, must cover all your pre-existing health conditions, and can't charge you more because of past or present health problems."
https://www.medicare.gov/supplements-other-insurance/when-can-i-buy-medigap/guaranteed-issue-rights

Changing between Medigap and Advantage plans
https://www.medicare.gov/supplements-other-insurance/whats-medicare-supplement-insurance-medigap/medigap-medicare-advantage-plans

AARP article: "The Big Choice: Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage"
https://www.aarp.org/medicare/original-medicare-vs-advantage/  [AARP membership not required.]

Consumer Reports article Aug 8, 2025: "Popular Advantage plans come with some risks. Here’s how to weigh your options."
https://www.consumerreports.org/money/health-insurance/pros-and-cons-of-medicare-advantage-a6834167849/ [Consumer Reports subscription not required.]
Note that the references to "Kaiser" in the article are to the KFF, the nonprofit healthcare research foundation endowed by heirs of industrialist Henry J. Kaiser. (No connection with Kaiser Permanente. Often criticizes Kaiser's current practices as not being in line with the founder's intentions.)

Next step:

either Medicare not involving HP or HPE  If not receiving Medicare benefits subsidized by HP or HPE.

or      Medicare via HP or HPE  If receiving Medicare benefits subsidized by HP or HPE.

Advice and reference info from members. (Updated Aug 25, 2025)  Not officially endorsed or supported. Click to join the HPAA   Question? Email us: info@hpalumni.org