ABCDs of Medicare

What Is Medicare?

Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people who are 65 or older, certain younger people with disabilities, and people with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant, sometimes called ESRD). or ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease.) You'll receive Part A and B automatically the month your Social Security disability benefits begin.

The different parts of Medicare help cover specific services:

Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance)

Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some home health care.

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance)

Part B covers certain doctors' services, outpatient care, medical supplies, preventive services. and certain prescription drugs. 

Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage Plans)

This is a type of Medicare health plan offered by private companies that contract with Medicare to provide you with all your Part A and Part B benefits.  Medicare Advantage Plans include Health Maintenance Organizations, Preferred Provider Organizations, Private Fee-for-Service Plans, Cost Plans, Special Needs Plans, and Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans. If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, all Medicare approved services are covered through the plan and aren’t paid for under Original Medicare. Most Medicare Advantage Plans offer prescription drug coverage.

Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage)

To be eligible for a Prescription Drug Plan you must have Part A and/or Part B to join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.

Part D adds prescription drug coverage to Original Medicare, some Medicare Cost Plans, some Medicare Private-Fee-for-Service Plans, and Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans. These plans are offered by insurance companies and other private companies approved by Medicare. Medicare Advantage Plans may also offer prescription drug coverage that follows the same rules as Medicare Prescription Drug Plans.

By contacting the phone number on this website you will be directed to a licensed agent.

Source: www.medicare.gov