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A Brief Look at Medicare: Part A, Part B, Part C & Part D
Most people get their Medicare health care coverage in one of two ways. Your costs vary depending on your plan, coverage, and the services you use.
Medicare is health insurance for people
- age 65 or older,
- under age 65 with certain disabilities, and
- any age person with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant).
Original Medicare Plan
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Part A
(Hospital) | Part B
(Medical) |
| Medicare provides this coverage. Part B is optional. You have your choice of doctors. Your costs may be higher than in Medicare Advantage Plans. |
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Part D
(Prescription Drug Coverage) |
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| You can choose this coverage. Private companies approved by Medicare run these plans. Plans cover different drugs. Medically necessary drugs must be covered. |
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Medigap
(Medicare Supplement Insurance)
Policy |
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| You can choose to buy this private coverage (or an employer/union may offer similar coverage) to fill in gaps in Part A and Part B coverage. Costs vary by policy and company. |
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OR |
Medicare Advantage Plans
like HMOs and PPOs
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Called "Part C,"
this option combines your
Part A (Hospital)
and
Part B (Medical)
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| Private insurance companies approved by Medicare provide this coverage. Generally, you must see doctors in the plan. Your costs may be lower than in the Original Medicare Plan, and you may get extra benefits. |
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Part D
(Prescription Drug Coverage) |
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| Most Part C plans cover prescription drugs. If they don't, you may be able to choose this coverage. Plans cover different drugs. Medically necessary drugs must be covered. |
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If you join a
Medicare Advantage Plan,
you don’t need and
can’t be sold
a Medigap policy.
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Click the +1 button if you have found this page useful:
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Medicare Supplements
fill the gaps in your
Original Medicare
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