The A, B, C, & D of Medicare

Medicare is a health insurance program for:

• People age 65 or older,
• People under age 65 with certain disabilities, and
• People of all ages with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant)

Part A Hospital Insurance – Most people don’t pay a premium for Part A because they or a spouse already paid for it through their payroll taxes while working. Medicare Part A covers inpatient care in hospitals, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and home health care.

Part B Medical Insurance – Most people pay a monthly premium for Part B which is adjusted on a yearly basis. Medicare Part B helps cover services from doctors and other health care providers, outpatient care, home health care, durable medical equipment (like wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, and other equipment), and many preventatives services (like screenings, shots or vaccines, and yearly “Wellness” visits).

Part C Medicare Advantage Plans – Medicare Advantage plans is a type of Medicare health plan offered through private insurance companies that bundle your Part A, Part B, and usually Part D together. These plans may also offer extra benefits that Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) doesn’t cover.

Part D Prescription Drug Coverage – Most people will pay a monthly premium for this coverage. Medicare Part D helps cover the cost of prescription drugs, including many recommended shots or vaccines. The plans that offer Medicare drug coverage are provided by private insurance companies. If a beneficiary decides not to enroll in a drug plan when they are first eligible, they may pay a penalty if they choose to join later.