The 4 Parts of Medicare
Medicare has 4 parts. Part A is hospital insurance. Part B is medical insurance. Parts A & B make up ‘Original’ Medicare. Part C is called Medicare Advantage, and it combines A and B in one plan, sometimes with extra benefits. Part D helps pay for prescription medicines. Together, these parts give you choices for how to get your health care.
Part A – Hospital Insurance
Part A helps cover care when you stay in the hospital. It also helps pay for care in a skilled nursing facility (short-term rehab after a hospital stay), hospice care, and some home health care.
Part B – Medical Insurance
Part B helps cover doctor visits, outpatient surgeries, lab tests, X-rays, and medical equipment like walkers or wheelchairs. It also covers preventive services like flu shots, cancer screenings, and yearly checkups.
Part C – Medicare Advantage
Part C is offered by private insurance companies. It includes everything Parts A and B cover, and many plans also include Part D drug coverage. Some plans add extras that ‘Original’ Medicare does not include. You usually need to use the doctors and hospitals in the plan’s network.
Part D – Prescription Drug Coverage
Part D helps pay for the medicines your doctor prescribes. Each plan has its own list of covered drugs, and costs can change depending on which pharmacy you use.
