What is Medicare?
Medicare is a federal government health insurance program for people who are 65 or older and those who qualify by disability. Younger people with certain disabilities and people with End Stage Renal Disease may also qualify.
Medicare is divided into “parts”, which cover specific services. See below to learn more about the different parts of Medicare.
- Part A - Hospital Insurance
- Part B - Medical Insurance & Doctor Visits
- Part C - Medicare Advantage
- Part D - Prescription Drug Coverage
- Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans (Medigap)
Medicare Part A - Hospital Insurance
Medicare Part A primarily covers inpatient hospital care, but also helps cover skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some home health care costs.
Medicare Part A and Part B are sometimes called Original Medicare.
Medicare Part B - Medical Insurance & Doctors Visits
Medicare Part B mainly helps cover non-hospital medical needs including doctor services, outpatient care, lab work, ambulance, and medical equipment costs.
Medicare Part A and Part B are sometimes called Original Medicare.
Medicare Part C - Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage “bundles” Original Medicare Part A and Part B into one private health insurance plan. Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private health insurance companies approved by the federal government.
Medicare Advantage plans can also include Part D - prescription drug coverage.
Medicare Advantage plans can also include additional benefits not included in Part A and Part B, such as vision, hearing, dental, or fitness programs.
Medicare Part D - Prescription Drug Coverage
Medicare Part D is prescription drug coverage. Part D plans are offered by private health insurance companies approved by the federal government. Note that beneficiaries with Original Medicare can enroll in a standalone Part D prescription drug plan, while many Medicare Advantage plans include Part D prescription drug coverage.
Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans (Medigap)
Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans help pay for costs not included in Original Medicare Part A and Part B, including deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans are also known as Medigap policies, and are offered by health insurance companies and other private insurance companies approved by the federal government.