Medicare 101

Part A (Hospital Insurance)

Part A helps pay for inpatient care at:

Hospitals
Skilled nursing facilities
Hospice

It also covers some outpatient home health care.

Part A is free if you worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. You may also be eligible because of your current or former spouse’s work.

Part B (Medical Insurance)

Most people pay a monthly premium for Part B. The exact premium depends on your income level. Review what you might pay for Medicare at Medicare.gov.

Part C (Medicare Advantage)

Part C is known as Medicare Advantage. It’s an alternative to Parts A and B that bundles several coverage types, including Parts A, B, and usually D. It may also include:

Vision
Hearing
Dental insurance

You must sign up for Part A or Part B before enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan.

Part D (Prescription Drug)

Part D helps cover prescription drug costs.

You must sign up for Part A or Part B before enrolling in Part D.