What Is Medicare?
Medicare is health insurance for people age 65 and older as well as for those under age 65 with certain disabilities.
What are the different parts of Medicare?
Medicare has different "Parts" that cover specific services. The Medicare Parts are:
Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) helps cover inpatient care in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities, as well as some home health care, and hospice.
Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance for Outpatient Services)
Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance for Outpatient Services) helps cover physician services, x-rays, lab services, physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, outpatient procedures, and some preventive services.
Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) is a health plan option administered through private insurance companies that contract with Medicare. Medicare Advantage Plans provide Part A and Part B coverage plus additional benefits and cost protections through a specific network of health providers. Most Part C plans also provide drug coverage. Medicare Advantage Plans are HMOs, PPOs, Private Fee for Service Plans (PFFS), Medicare Savings Plans, and Special Needs Plans. NOTE: if you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you receive your health benefits through that plan rather than through Original Medicare.
Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage) helps cover the cost of prescription drugs. There are Stand-Alone plans and Medicare Advantage Plans with built-in Part D coverage.
« PREVIOUS: Medicare for Age 40-64 | NEXT: Medicare Enrollment »
