Understanding the difference between Medicare Parts A, B, C and D can be confusing, but there are a many resources available to help you make informed decisions. If you are eligible for Medicare, it's important to understand the differences between the different parts of Medicare so that you choose the plan, or plans, that best meet your needs.
Medicare Part A
Medicare Part A helps pay for "medically necessary" healthcare like inpatient hospital stays, follow-up care in skilled nursing facilities, home health care for the homebound, and hospice care. All eligible beneficiaries are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and it is free if you or your spouse have made payroll contributions to Social Security for at least 10 years.
Medicare Part B
Medicare Part B helps pay for "medically necessary" healthcare for a medical condition or illness. This includes services like doctor's office visits, outpatient hospital care, lab tests, some diagnostic screenings and some skilled nursing care for the homebound. You will pay a monthly premium for Part B. While, enrolling in Part B is voluntary, most people do sign up when they first become eligible.
Medicare Part C
Medicare Part C plans are also known as Medicare Advantage Plans. These plans, which are insured by private companies, combine coverage for hospital stays (Part A) and coverage for doctor visits (Part B) and may include Part D at little to no additional cost.
Medicare Part D
Medicare Part D provides prescription drug coverage. Like Part B and C, Medicare Part D is optional. The government has set minimum requirements for drugs that must be covered by drug plans. Not all Medicare Part D plans are the same. Make sure you understand which drugs are covered before selecting your plan.
Medigap
Medigap, also known as Medicare Supplement Insurance, is a policy you can buy from a private insurance company that pays for some of the costs that Medicare Parts A and B do not pay. There are 10 types of plans. These plans are standardized (there are different versions of standardized plans available in Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin) and are optional.
Remember, because Medicare Parts C, D and Medigap are offered by private insurance companies, plan availability may vary from one company to another. It's a good idea to do some research to ensure that you are selecting the plan(s) that meets all of your needs.
To learn more about Medicare Parts A, B, C and D visit Download an easy-to-use reference guide for understanding Medicare, or call 1-800-MEDICARE 24 hours, 7 days a week, including some federal holidays. (TTY 1-877-486-2048)
The family of UnitedHealthcare Medicare Solutions plans are insured or covered by an affiliate of UnitedHealthcare, a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract and Medicare-approved Part D Sponsor.
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