Wondering what a part is? Or what the difference is between Parts A, B, C and D? Find out with a simple click.
Medicare Part A
Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Part B)
Helps with hospital costs.
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Helps with the cost of hospital stays, skilled nursing services following a hospital stay, plus some other skilled care.
Medicare Part A insurance helps pay for “medically necessary” care when you’re sick or have a medical condition that requires an inpatient stay in the hospital. It also helps pay for a stay in a
skilled nursing facility as a follow-up to a hospital stay, blood transfusions, hospice care for the terminally ill and some skilled
home health care for those confined to the home.
Medicare Part B
Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Part B)
Helps with doctor and outpatient care.
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Helps with the cost of doctor visits and other medical services.
Medicare Part B insurance helps pay for a variety of “medically necessary” care for illnesses or medical conditions. This includes services like doctor visits,
outpatient care in hospitals and clinics, laboratory tests and some diagnostic screenings, and some
skilled nursing care at home if you’re housebound.
Part B also covers most doctor services you receive as a hospital inpatient, while some other hospital services are covered by Part A. Part B is voluntary, but most people sign up when they first become eligible.
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
Medicare Advantage
Combines hospital care, doctor visits and outpatient care in a single plan.
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A single plan that combines Medicare Parts A and B to cover your hospital care, doctor visits and outpatient care, plus offers extra benefits that may include prescription drug coverage.
Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies and combine coverage for hospital stays and doctor visits with extra benefits like vision and hearing exams, gym memberships, and preventive services. Depending on where you live, you can choose a plan that includes prescription drug coverage, often at no additional premium.
Important: You must be enrolled in Original Medicare Parts A and B before you can join a Medicare Advantage plan. Once you're a member of Medicare Advantage plan, you must remain enrolled in Parts A and B, and you must continue to pay your Part B premium to Medicare.
Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D)
Helps pay for prescription drug medications.
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Helps with the cost of prescription drugs.
Medicare Part D plans help pay for your prescription drugs. Original Medicare doesn’t include prescription drug coverage, so if you want coverage for prescription drugs, you’ll need to choose a stand-alone Medicare Part D plan or a Medicare Advantage plan that includes Part D coverage.
Prescription drug coverage is offered through private companies. Plans vary by location, cost and drugs included in the formulary.
Important: If you wait until after you first become eligible for Medicare to enroll in a Part D prescription drug plan, you may have to pay more each month for your premium unless you qualify for Extra Help. Also, you may not have to pay the higher premium if you have had other prescription drug coverage at least as good as Medicare (also known as creditable coverage) and have not been without that coverage for more than 63 days in a row.
Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap)
Fills in some of the financial gaps in Original Medicare coverage.
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Provided by private insurance companies and helps cover some of the costs not covered by Original Medicare.
To help pay some of the costs that Original Medicare doesn’t pay, some people purchase Medicare supplement insurance plans, sometimes called “Medigap”. These plans pay for some or all of the expenses not paid by Original Medicare. For most, ten standard plans are available, labeled “A” through “N,” except in Massachusetts, Minnesota and Wisconsin, which have their own Medicare Supplement plans.
Medicare supplement insurance plans aren’t a government benefit, like Original Medicare. They are insurance plans sold by private companies, and you have to apply to get benefits. These plans have an additional monthly premium beyond what you pay for your Part B coverage. Many choose to apply for a Medicare supplement insurance plan as well as enroll in a Part D prescription drug plan for more complete coverage.
Important: Don’t confuse Medicare Parts A, B, C and D with Medicare supplement insurance plans A, B, C and D. Medicare supplement insurance plans are different from Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans. Plan availability and details vary by state.
Hospice Care
A special kind of treatment and services for those entering end-of-life care.
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Hospice care supports you and your loved ones during end-of-life care.
Hospice care is provided under Medicare Part A as an alternative to curative care. Hospice teams focus on caring for patients for whom end of life is approaching. You or your loved one can receive regular visits from a team of specially trained professionals, including nurses, doctors, nursing assistants, social workers, chaplains and trained volunteers. Drugs, medical supplies and medical equipment like walkers and wheelchairs are covered. Hospice care is intended to meet not only your or your loved one’s physical needs, but also emotional, social and spiritual needs.