MEDICARE PART A (HOSPITAL INSURANCE)
Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility stays, hospice, and home health care. Most people get Medicare Part A automatically when they turn 65, and anyone who paid into the Medicare system for 10 years, or 40 quarters, will receive Part A for free.
MEDICARE PART B (MEDICAL INSURANCE)
Medicare Part B helps cover medically necessary services not covered by Medicare Part A, which includes most services provided by doctors and specialists, hospital outpatient care, durable medical equipment, and other preventive care services. You must enroll in Medicare Part B when you are first eligible or you will have to pay a late enrollment penalty.
MEDICARE PART C (MEDICARE ADVANTAGE)
Medicare Advantage Plans are offered by Medicare-approved private insurance companies. They tend to be very popular in urban and metropolitan areas, and are not available in many rural areas. Visit Medicare.gov to get a complete list of the plans available in your County. When considering a Medicare Advantage Plan it is important to contact your doctors, hospital, and other medical service providers to be sure they accept the plan. It is also extremely important to review the summary of benefits and examine what copayments and coinsurance you will be responsible for paying when obtaining medical services.
There are several types of Medicare Advantage Plans:
• Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Plans
• Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Plans
• Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) Plans
• Special Needs Plans (SNP)
MEDICARE PART D (PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE)
Medicare Part D is your prescription drug coverage, which helps lower the cost of most prescription drugs that are medically necessary. Prescription Drug Plans are offered by Medicare-approved private insurance companies and can be purchased online, via phone, or by contacting Medicare directly. Use the Medicare plan finder at Medicare.gov to compare plans and prices.