Understanding the Basic Components of Medicare

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people 65 and older, certain younger people with disabilities, and people with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). It is the largest health insurance program in the United States, covering over 60 million people.

There are four parts to Medicare:

• Part A covers hospital stays, skilled nursing care, hospice care, and some home health care.

• Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient care, and some preventive services.

• Part C is Medicare Advantage, which is a private health insurance plan that provides all of the benefits of Part A and Part B, plus some additional benefits.

• Part D covers prescription drugs.

To enroll in Medicare, you must meet certain eligibility requirements. You can sign up for Medicare online, by mail, or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.

If you are not sure if you are eligible for Medicare, or if you need help enrolling, you can contact your local Social Security office.

Here is a brief overview of each part of Medicare:

Part A

Part A covers hospital stays, skilled nursing care, hospice care, and some home health care. You do not have to pay a monthly premium for Part A if you are eligible for premium-free Part A. If you are not eligible for premium-free Part A, you will have to pay a monthly premium.

Part B

Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient care, and some preventive services. You have to pay a monthly premium for Part B. The amount of your premium depends on your income.

Part C

Part C is Medicare Advantage, which is a private health insurance plan that provides all of the benefits of Part A and Part B, plus some additional benefits. You can choose to enroll in a Part C plan if you want to have more choices of doctors and hospitals, and if you want to have a lower monthly premium.

Part D

Part D covers prescription drugs. You have to pay a monthly premium for Part D. The amount of your premium depends on the type of plan you choose.

Medicare is a complex program, but it can provide valuable health insurance coverage for people who are eligible. If you are not sure if you are eligible for Medicare, or if you need help enrolling, you can contact your local Social Security office.