What is the difference between Medicare Part A, Part B, Part C, and Part D?
• Part A is hospital insurance. • Part B helps pay for general medical services that Part A doesn’t cover. • Part C is called Medicare Advantage. If you have Parts A and B, you can choose this option to receive all of your health care through a provider organization, like an HMO. • Part D is prescription drug coverage. It helps pay for some medicines. Medicare Part A, Hospital Insurance helps cover inpatient care in hospitals, including critical access hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities (not custodial or long-term care). It also helps cover hospice care and some home health care, but it does not usually cover dental, vision, and prescription drugs. Certain conditions must be met to get these benefits. Many people do not have to pay a monthly premium for Part A because they or a spouse paid Medicare takes while working. Most people are enrolled in Part A when they turn 65. To see if you are enrolled, look at your Medicare card and if you are covered, it will list Hospital Part A.
