Medicare Part A & B
Part A
Inpatient services (Original Medicare)
Part A covers inpatient costs. In addition to hospitals, Part A covers skilled nursing facilities, hospice, and home health care. While Part A will cover the cost of your room, it does NOT cover treatments such as scans or surgeries. Those are under Part B.
It is free to most people at age 65 which is determined by work experience.
Part B
Doctor and outpatient services (Original Medicare)
Medicare Part B covers doctor visits, lab tests, diagnostic screenings, medical equipment, ambulance services, and other outpatient services.
It involves more costs than Part A which is adjusted yearly and has a deductible. You will want to check every year for determine your cost for the next year.
Medicare Part D
Drug Coverage
(Original Medicare)
Medicare Part D, the prescription drug benefit, is the part of Medicare that covers most outpatient prescription drugs. Part D is offered through private companies either as a stand-alone plan, for those enrolled in Original Medicare, or as a set of benefits included with your Medicare Advantage Plan.
Unless you have creditable drug coverage and will have a Special Enrollment Period, you should enroll in Part D when you first get Medicare. If you delay enrollment, you may face gaps in coverage and enrollment penalties.
(For more detailed information about Medicare Supplement Insurance visit www.medicare.gov)
Medicare Part C - Medicare Advantage Plans
Plans A, B, D all in one
A Medicare Advantage Plan is another way to get your Medicare Part A and Part B coverage. Medicare Advantage Plans, sometimes called “Part C” or “MA” Plans, are offered by Medicare-approved private companies that must follow rules set by Medicare. Most Medicare Advantage Plans include drug coverage (Part D). There are several types of Medicare Advantage Plans. Each of these Medicare Advantage Plan types have special rules about how you get your Medicare-covered Part A and B services and any supplemental benefits your plan covers.
If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan you’ll still have Medicare, but you’ll get most of your Part A and Part B coverage from your Medicare Advantage Plan, not Original Medicare.
You must use the card from your Medicare Advantage Plan to get your Medicarecovered services. Keep your red, white, and blue Medicare card in a safe place because you may need to show your Medicare card for some services. Also, you’ll need it if you ever switch back to Original Medicare.