The Basics of Medicare
Medicare is a health insurance program for
- People age 65 or over;
- People under age 65 who have certain disabilities; and
- People of all ages with end-stage renal disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or kidney transplant)
There are four parts to Medicare
With Medicare, you may choose how you get your health and prescription drug coverage. Your costs vary depending on your plan, coverage, and the services you use. Below are brief descriptions of your coverage choices followed by more details about these choices.
| Original Medicare Plan |
Medicare Advantage Plan
(like an HMO or PPO) |
Part A: Hospital Insurance
Part B: Medical Insurance |
Part C
(includes both Part A: Hospital Insurance and Part B: Medical Insurance) |
Medicare provides this coverage.
You have your choice of doctors.
Generally, you pay deductibles and coinsurance.
You pay a monthly premium for Part B.
You can join a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan to add drug coverage.
You can buy a Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance) policy sold by private insurance companies to help fill the gaps in Part A and Part B coverage. |
Private insurance companies approved by Medicare provide this coverage.
In most plans, you must see plan doctors.
Costs, extra benefits, and rules vary by plan.
You usually pay a monthly premium in addition to your Part B premium.
If you want drug coverage, you must get it through your plan (in most cases).
You dont need a Medigap policy. |
The Basics of Medicare | Part A | Part B | Part C | Part D
