Medicare is a US-government-funded national program that subsidizes an array of healthcare services for individuals older than 65 or younger people living with specific disabilities. This program has four parts: Parts A, B, C (Medigap, and D (prescription drugs).
Parts A and B (Original Medicare) is a fee-for-service system. This means that doctors and hospitals bill Medicare directly for your treatment, and Medicare pays a set amount for the service. You may have copays, deductibles, or coinsurance, depending on the service.
Part A covers inpatient care like hospital stays, skilled nursing facilities, and hospice. In most cases, there are no premiums for Part A if you worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years.
Part B covers outpatient services like doctor visits, lab tests, and preventive care. You typically pay a monthly premium for Part B.
Part C (Medicare Advantage) is an alternative to Original Medicare. It’s offered by private insurance companies that have been approved by Medicare. These plans typically cover everything that Part A and B cover and may also include additional benefits like vision or dental care. You’ll usually pay a monthly premium for a Medicare Advantage plan.
Part D covers prescription drugs. You can enroll in a separate Medicare prescription drug plan (Part D) offered by private insurance companies to help with the cost of your medications. Part D plans typically have monthly premiums, copays, and deductibles.