INSURANCE PROGRAM FOR:
- People 65 years or older
- People under age 65 with certain disabilities
- People of any age with end-stage renal disease
(ESRD) or Lou Gehrig's disease
Click On Each Section To Learn More About It
Hospital Insurance
- Helps to cover inpatient care in hospitals
- Helps to cover skilled nursing facility, hospice, and home health care
Medical Insurance
- Helps to cover doctors' services, hospital outpatient care, and home health care
- Helps to cover some preventive services to help maintain your health and to keep certain illnesses from getting worse
Medicare Advantage Plans
- Run by Medicare-approved private insurance companies
- Include Part A, Part B. Can also include Part D.
Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage
- Helps to cover the cost of prescription drugs
- May help to lower prescription drug costsand protect against higher costs in the future
Medicare Part A is hospital insurance.
Many Americans automatically get Medicare Part A because they paid Medicare taxes while working. This also entitles them to a "premium-free" Part A.
Medicare Part A covers:
- Inpatient care in hospitals (including long-term hospitals and rehabilitation facilities)
- Inpatient care in a skilled nursing facility (does not include custodial care)
- Hospice care services
- Home health care services
- Inpatient care in a Religious Nonmedical Health Care Institution
Medicare Part B is medical insurance.
It is imperative to sign up for Medicate Part B as soon as one is eligible. Failing to do so will result in a late enrollment fee. Some Americans may automatically get Medicare Part B.
Medicare Part B helps to cover medically necessary services, including:
- Doctors' services
- Outpatient care
- Home health services
- Other medical services
- Some preventive services
Medicare Advantage Plans are offered by Medicare-approved private companies. Also called Medicare Part C
It is important to compare costs, because each Medicare Advantage Plan can charge different out-of-pocket rates, and each has different rules for acquiring services. Some plans require referrals prior to medical treatment, others pay only for "in-network" care.
Additionally, some Medicare Advantage Plans offer coverage for:
- Prescription drug coverage
- Vision & Hearing
- Hospice care services
- Health/wellness programs
Medicare offers prescription drug coverage, also called Medicare Part D, to all Medicare recipients.*
To get Medicare prescription drug coverage, one must join a Medicare plan run by an insurance company or other Medicare-approved private company approved by Medicare. Plans vary in cost and coverage.
If you qualify for Medicaid in your state, you automatically qualify to get Extra Help paying for Medicare prescription drug coverage.
Learn MoreMedicare Supplement Insurance
Original Medicare (Parts A & B) does not cover all medical costs, so many people choose to get Medicare Supplement Insurance, also called Medigap, to pay for the "gaps" in coverage.
Medigap plans help to pay for copays, deductibles, and coinsurance. They are regulated by the government but offered through private insurance companies, so prices vary.
Learn MoreMedicare Select
Medicare SELECT plans offer more affordable supplement coverage by working with a provider network of doctors, hospitals, and specialists.
While Medicare SELECT plans offer the benefit of lower premiums, they require plan holders to receive their care only from "in network" practitioners.
Learn MoreMedicaid
Medicaid is a joint Federal and State program that helps to offset medical costs for people with low incomes and limited resources. Medicaid eligibility varies from state to state, but is typically based on income.
People can be eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. Medicaid can be used to help pay Medicare premiums.
Learn MoreMore Options:
Medicare Supplement Insurance
- Private health insurance designed to supplement original Medicare (Parts A & B)
- Helps to pay copays, coinsurance, and deductibles
Medicare SELECT
- A type of Medigap policy that offers affordability but requires "in network" doctors and hospitals
- Can be used for any standardized Medigap Plan
Medicaid
- Medicaid is a joint Federal and State program that helps to offset medical costs for people with low incomes and limited resources
- Eligibility varies from state to state, but is typically based on income