What is Medicare?
Medicare is health insurance for people age 65 or older, under age 65 with certain disabilities, and any age with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant).
The Different Parts of Medicare
The different parts of Medicare help cover specific services if you meet certain conditions. Medicare has the following parts:
Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance)
- Helps cover inpatient care in hospitals
- Helps cover skilled nursing facility, hospice, and home health care
Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance)
- Helps cover doctors and other health care providers
- Outpatient Care
- Home health care
- Durable medical equipment
- Some preventive services
Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage Plans) (like an HMO or PPO)
- Includes all benefits and services covered under Part A and Part B
- Usually includes Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D) as a part of the plan
- Run by Medicare-approved private insurance companies
- May include extra benefits and services for an extra cost
Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage)
- Helps cover the cost of prescription drugs
- Run by Medicare-approved private insurance companies
- May help lower your prescription drug costs and help protect against higher costs in the future
For more information about Medicare, please visit www.medicare.gov
Source: Medicare and You 2019