My mother had a Medicare "Advantage" plan. She still had the medicare cost deducted from her monthly check and also paid a premium ($30/mo) for Blue Cross Blue Shield plan. The BCBS included prescription plan. She paid a $15 copay at the Dr's office. The BCBS was wonderful when she had to go to the hospital. We had very little out-of-pocket expense. I think the dr's tried harder to help her too because her insurance was better than medicare.