Medicare Basics for Caregivers

Frequently Asked Questions

24. If a person with Medicare is covered by another health insurance plan, who pays?

When a person with Medicare is covered by more than one health insurance plan, there are rules about whether Medicare or the other insurer pays health care bills first. This is called "coordination of benefits." Sometimes, the other health insurance pays the person's health care bills first, and the person's Original Medicare Plan or Medicare Advantage (MA) Plan pays second. (Answer continues on next page.)