The Four Parts of Medicare

Medicare is health insurance for people 65 and older, people under 65 with certain disabilities, and people of any age with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant).

• Medicare "Part A" and "Part B" are often called "Original Medicare"
• Medicare "Part C" is often called "Medicare Advantage" plans or "MA Plans"
• Medicare "Part D" is often called "Prescription Drug Coverage"

Medicare Part A is hospital coverage

Part A (also called Original Medicare) is managed by Medicare and provides Medicare benefits and coverage for:

• Inpatient hospital care
• Inpatient stays in most skilled nursing facilities
• Hospice and home health services

Medicare Part B is medical coverage

Part B (also called Original Medicare) is managed by Medicare and provides Medicare benefits and coverage for:

• Doctor and clinical lab services
• Outpatient and preventive care
• Home health care
• Screenings, surgical fees and supplies
• Physical and occupational therapy

Medicare Part C combines both A and B

Medicare Part C (also called Medicare Advantage) is a different way of getting Medicare Part A and Part B coverage. Medicare Advantage (MA) Plans combine Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance) together in one plan. They can also be combined with Part D prescription drug coverage creating a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MA-PD) Plan. Generally, these plans are offered as:

• Medicare Advantage Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO plans)
• Medicare Advantage Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO plans)
• Medicare Advantage Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS plans)
• Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans (SNP plans)

Medicare Part D is Prescription Drug Coverage

A Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) can be a stand-alone plan (not joined with other insurance) or it may be combined with a Medicare Advantage Plan, also called a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MA-PD) Plan. Part D plans:

• Help cover the cost of prescription drugs
• May help lower prescription drug costs and protect against higher costs in the future

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