Medicare is health insurance for people 65 and older, people under 65 with certain disabilities, and people of any age with End Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant).

Medicare includes:

Part A Hospital Insurance– Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) helps cover inpatient care in hospitals, including critical access hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities (not custodial or long-term care). It also helps cover hospice care and some home health care. Beneficiaries must meet certain conditions to get these benefits. Most people don’t pay a premium for Part A because they or a spouse already paid for it through their payroll taxes while working.

Part B Medical Insurance– Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) helps cover doctors’ services and outpatient care. It also covers some other medical services that Part A doesn’t cover, such as some of the services of physical and occupational therapists, and some home health care. Part B helps pay for these covered services and supplies when they are medically necessary. Most people pay a monthly premium for Part B.

Part D Prescription Drug Coverage – Medicare Part D (prescription drug insurance) helps cover the cost of prescribed medications, including many recommended shots and vaccines.  

Beneficiaries choose the drug plan and pay a monthly premium.

Part C Medicare Advantage Plans – Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies that have contracts with Medicare. They offer offer an alternative to Original Medicare for your health and drug coverage. These are “bundled” plans which include Part A, Part B and usually Part D. In many cases you can only use doctors who are part of the plan’s network, and you may need to get approval form the plan before it covers certain services or drugs. These plans may offer certain benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t cover — such as routine vision, dental and hearing services.

For a better understanding, please view a short video here.