Parts of Medicare

Medicare is our country’s federal health insurance program.  Its function is identical to your current private health insurance.  

Medicare is divided into 4 parts:

Medicare Part A (Inpatient Coverage):  Part A is your hospital insurance.  It covers inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing care, hospice and home health care. Your room and board covered at a hospital includes a semi-private rooms, meals, general nursing, and drugs as part of your treatment and miscellaneous services and supplies.

Medicare Part B (Outpatient Coverage): Part B is your medical insurance.  It covers medical expenses in or out of the hospital and outpatient hospital treatment including doctor services, medical and surgical services and supplies, physical and speech therapy, diagnostic tests and durable medical equipment.  Part B also covers certain medications that need to be administered in a clinical or hospital setting.

Medicare Part C:  Part C is the Medicare Advantage program.  Medicare Advantage plans are private Medicare insurance plans.  Medicare beneficiaries get their  Part A and B health care services through the private insurance company.

Medicare Part D:  Part D plans provide outpatient prescription drug coverage.   You choose a plan based on the county you live in and your medications.  A Medicare beneficiary pays a portion of the drug cost.

Once you have enrolled in Medicare Part A and B with the Social Security Administration, you can decide whether you want your health care covered by Original Medicare, which is handled by the Federal Government or covered through a Medicare Advantage plan which is managed by a private insurance organization.