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Medicare is made up of four parts: Medicare Part A, Part B, Part C and Part D. Each part provides different benefits, and some even work together.
Learn more about the 4 parts of Medicare and the benefits they offer below.
| Medicare Part | What It Covers | How You Get It | Enroll |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part A (Hospital Insurance) |
Inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, and some home health care | Automatically provided if you've paid Medicare taxes while working | Medicare.gov |
| Part B (Medical Insurance) |
Doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, medical supplies | Enrollment during Initial Enrollment Period or later with possible penalty | Medicare.gov |
| Part C (Medicare Advantage) |
All benefits of Part A and Part B, usually with extra benefits like dental, vision, hearing, and sometimes prescription drugs | Offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare | Compare Plans |
| Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage) |
Helps cover the cost of prescription drugs | Offered by private insurance companies as standalone plans or included in some Part C plans | Compare Plans |
Medicare Part A and Part B make up what’s known as Original Medicare.
Original Medicare is a federally administered, fee-for-service health insurance for people age 65 and older and younger people with certain disabilities or medical conditions.
Original Medicare provides coverage for both inpatient and outpatient medical care, health care services and medical devices.
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Examples of services that Medicare Part A helps cover include:
Inpatient hospital care
Skilled nursing facility care
Hospice
Limited home health services
Most people get premium-free Part A, but if you have to buy it, you could pay up to $506 per month in 2023.
If you’re admitted as an inpatient to a hospital or skilled nursing facility, you'll pay a $1,600 deductible in 2023 for each benefit period, and daily coinsurance if you have a hospital stay longer than 60 days.
Examples of services that Medicare Part B helps cover include:
Doctor’s office visits
Preventive care
Physical and occupational therapy
Mental health care
Ambulance services
Durable medical equipment
The standard premium amount for Medicare Part B is 2023 is $164.9 per month (or more, depending on your income).
In addition to your monthly premium, you pay $226 per year for your Part B deductible in 2023.
Once your deductible is met, you usually pay a coinsurance of 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for medically necessary care and services.
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Medicare Advantage plans are an alternative to Original Medicare that are sold by private health insurers.
These private health plans provide you with all your Part A and Part B benefits, and some plans may include additional benefits such as:
Vision
Hearing
Dental services
Prescription drug coverage
If you choose to get your Medicare coverage through a Medicare Advantage Plan instead of through Original Medicare, you still pay your Part B premium plus a premium for your Medicare Advantage plan (if the plan has one).
Medicare Advantage plans have different costs, rules, and coverage limitations that can affect how and where you receive care, depending on the plan you select.
Medicare Part D plans are sold by private insurance companies to help cover prescription drugs for those enrolled in Original Medicare.
Remember, Original Medicare does not provide coverage for prescription drugs.
In addition to the Part D plan premiums, you may have to pay some Part D costs out-of-pocket, including an annual deductible and copayments or coinsurance.
You can compare Part D plans available where you live and enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan online when you visit MyRxPlans.com.
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Medicare Supplement Insurance (also called Medigap) plans help cover certain Medicare out-of-pocket costs, such as deductibles, coinsurance, copays and other fees.
There are 10 standardized Medigap plans in most states, and each provides its own level of coverage. A licensed insurance agent can help you find Medigap plans in your area and get you enrolled in one that works for you.
Call today to speak with a licensed insurance agent and find out more about your Medigap plan options.
Or call 1-800-995-4219 to speak with a licensed insurance agent.
Christian Worstell is a health care and policy writer for MedicareSupplement.com. He has written hundreds of articles helping people better understand their Medicare coverage options.
Christian Worstell is a licensed insurance agent and a Senior Staff Writer for MedicareSupplement.com. He is passionate about helping people navigate the complexities of Medicare and understand their coverage options.
His work has been featured in outlets such as Vox, MSN, and The Washington Post, and he is a frequent contributor to health care and finance blogs.
Christian is a graduate of Shippensburg University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He currently lives in Raleigh, NC.
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