What is Medicare

Part A, Part B, Part C, and Part D are the four different types of Medicare programs. The following is a list of what each “Part” is about.

Part A of Medicare

Part A of Medicare covers hospitalization. Inpatient hospitalization, limited stay in a skilled nursing facility, limited home health care services, and hospice care are all covered in Part A.

The term “premium-free Section A” refers to the fact that most Medicare Part A beneficiaries do not have to pay a monthly premium to receive coverage under this part of Original Medicare. You’re generally eligible for premium-free Part A if you’ve worked for at least 10 years (40 quarters) and paid Medicare taxes during that time. Otherwise, you’ll have to pay a monthly fee.

Because Medicare Part A normally does not cover the entire cost of your hospital stay, you will most likely be responsible for a portion of the payment. Before Medicare benefits kick in, you’ll have to pay a deductible. After that, Medicare will cover all of your expenses for up to 60 days in a hospital or 20 days in a skilled nursing facility. Following that, you pay a fixed fee up to the maximum number of days covered. For a total of 90 days in a hospital and 100 days in a skilled nursing facility, your Medicare Part A benefits cover some of the expenditures.

Up to 60 “lifetime reserve days” are also covered by Medicare. These are days when you spend more than 90 days in a hospital. You acquire a total of 60 reserve days over the course of your life.

Read More: Is Medicare free?

Medicare Part B

Medical insurance is covered through Medicare Part B. Non-hospital medical expenses such as doctor’s visits, blood tests, X-rays, diabetes screenings and supplies, and outpatient hospital care are covered by Part B insurance. This element of Original Medicare has a monthly premium. People with high earnings may be charged a greater fee. Medicaid, a different government program, can assist low-income Medicare Part B recipients to meet their premiums.

Medicare Part C

Medicare Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage, is a health plan that combines all types of Medicare coverage into one package. It’s provided by private insurance companies that have been contracted by CMS to deliver a Medicare benefits package as a supplement to Original Medicare. Enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan is voluntary, but you must have Original Medicare, Parts A, and B, in order to get this private insurance. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you may be required to continue paying your Part B premium.

While all Medicare Part A and Part B coverage (excluding hospice care) must be provided by Medicare Advantage plans, plans can additionally offer a variety of additional benefits that vary by the private health insurer. Prescription drug coverage is included in many Medicare Advantage plans, which are referred to as Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plans. Some plans may have a lower deductible but require you to pay a lesser portion of the remaining charges. Medicare Advantage plans may also cover treatments that Original Medicare, Parts A and B, do not, such as eye exams, hearing aids, dental care, and health care received while traveling abroad in the United States.

Medicare Part D

Prescription drug coverage is available as an add-on to Medicare Part D. Private insurance companies offer Medicare Part D as a stand-alone prescription medication coverage, and the monthly premium varies per carrier. Depending on the plan in which you’re enrolled, you’ll be responsible for a portion of the cost of your prescription drugs. A deductible, a fixed copayment amount, or a percentage of the total prescription cost (called “coinsurance”) are examples of these expenses.

If you need prescription medication coverage, you can acquire it through a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plan, if one is available in your area. Enter your zip code in the simple form on this page to see a list of Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plans available in your area.

If you have a low income and are unable to purchase your drugs while having Medicare Part D coverage, you may be eligible for the Extra Help program, which provides financial support for your monthly premium, deductible, copayment, or coinsurance.