The NYT has a good summary of what it calls the Medicare Maze. I've been through this maze and been lost in it: Medicare, Medicare Advantage, supplemental policies, donut hole drug coverage, the whole thing.

I've learned that when you are considering a medical insurance company, you will want to ask, Does your doctor/hospital take this or that insurance company? The answer often is Yes, they do. But don't be fooled by that. Take one more step. Also ask, Is this or that doctor/hospital in my network? If you don't and you stray out of your network, you will pay more. They may "take" your insurance, but you will getting a nice fat bill from them in a few weeks.

I'd also advise you not to take your sales representative's work for it. Check it out yourself. Use the company's web site, since it should be the most up-to-date.

More and more doctors don't take Medicare now, presumably because of the low Medicare payments. They just don't want you.