It can get confusing trying to remember all the parts of Medicare and what they do.
There are four different plans in the world of Medicare known as a “Part” of Medicare.
Two of them are in Original Medicare and two of them are insurance plans.
We’ll break them down so you understand what is available to you.
Medicare Part A
Part A is Medicare’s inpatient care coverage.
It covers:
- Inpatient care in a hospital — Care you receive when you’re admitted to the hospital as an inpatient after an official doctor’s order. Medicare-covered hospital services include semi-private rooms, meals, general nursing, drugs as part of your inpatient treatment, and other hospital services and supplies.
- Skilled nursing facility care — Skilled care is nursing and therapy care that can only be safely and effectively performed by, or under the supervision of, professionals or technical personnel.
- Hospice care
- Home health care
"We work for YOU not the insurance companies"
Medicare Part B
Part B is Medicare’s medical insurance. It covers:
- Medically necessary services: Services or supplies needed to diagnose or treat your medical condition
- Preventive services: Health care to prevent illness or detect it at an early stage
Part C
Part C is another term for Medicare Advantage.
Part C is a Medicare insurance plan that supplies your Part A and B coverage while providing additional benefits.
Each plan has an out-of-pocket max (something Medicare doesn’t have) and may provide:
- Adult day-care services
- Dental
- Vision
- Hearing
- Fitness club memberships
- Prescription drug coverage
- Services and supports for those with chronic conditions
- Transportation to doctor visits
What benefits you are offered will depend on where you live.
Part D
Part D is a Medicare insurance plan that covers your prescription drugs.
It is a necessary plan if you want any coverage for your prescriptions because Original Medicare does not have any prescription drug coverage.There’s only two ways to get Medicare Part D: through a standalone plan or as a part of a Medicare Advantage plan.
Each prescription drug plan includes at least two drugs in the most commonly prescribed categories and classes. Also, all plans generally must cover at least two drugs per category, but plans can choose which ones covered by Part D they will offer.
