Medicare is a health insurance program for people who are 65 years old or older, people with disabilities, and people with End-Stage Renal Disease. There are four main parts to Medicare:
Medicare Part A
Part A usually covers inpatient care in a hospital, skilled nursing facility, hospice, or home health care. It also helps cover some of the costs for hospice care and home health care.
There is a monthly premium for Part A coverage. Most people don’t have to pay this premium because they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes while working. But, if you don’t qualify for premium-free coverage, you may have to pay a monthly premium.
Part A covers:
-Inpatient care in hospitals
-Skilled nursing facility care
-Hospice care
-Home health care services (limited)
Medicare Part B
Medicare Part B helps cover doctors’ services and outpatient care.
There is a monthly premium for Part B coverage. Most people don’t have to pay this premium because they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes while working. But, if you don’t qualify for premium-free coverage, you may have to pay a monthly premium.
Part B covers:
-Doctor’s services and outpatient care
-Some preventive services
-Lab tests
-X-rays
-Some home health care services
– ambulance service to take you to the hospital
Medicare C & D
Part C of Medicare is also known as Medicare Advantage. It offers private health plan options instead of Original Medicare. Most people with Part C have Parts A and B, but a few people only have Part C.
Part D is prescription drug coverage. It helps pay for prescription drugs, but only if you join a Part D plan from a private insurance company. You can also join a Medicare Advantage Plan that includes drug coverage.
You don’t have to have Part C or Part D to get Medicare. If you only want Parts A and B, you can sign up for Original Medicare. Or, if you want just Part D, you can sign up for a standalone drug plan. You can also get a Medicare Advantage plan that only has Part C.