The ABCD's of Medicare

What are the parts of Medicare?

Part A – Hospital Insurance Helps cover:

• Inpatient care in hospitals

• Skilled nursing facility care

• Hospice care

• Home health care

Part B – Medical Insurance Helps cover:

• Services from doctors and other health care providers

• Outpatient care

• Home health care

• Durable medical equipment (like wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, and other equipment)

• Many preventive services (like screenings, shots or vaccines, and yearly “Wellness” visits)

Part C - Medicare Advantage

Medicare Advantage plans are a type of Medicare health plan offered by private companies that are approved by Medicare. It provides the same coverage as Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) and may include additional benefits like vision, hearing, and dental coverage, as well as prescription drug coverage (Part D).

Part D – Drug Coverage

Helps cover the cost of prescription drugs (including many recommended shots or vaccines). Plans that offer Medicare drug coverage (Part D) are run by private insurance companies that follow rules set by Medicare.

How Does Medicare Work?

Eligibility for Medicare

To sign up for Medicare Parts A, B, and supplemental coverage (known as Supplement, Advantage, or Prescription Drug Plans), most people will have an Initial Enrollment Period which is a 7 month period around the time they turn age 65. This period begins 3 months before the month you turn 65, includes the month you turn 65, and ends 3 months after the month you turn 65.

Once your Initial Enrollment Period is over, if you wish to change or purchase Advantage and Supplement Plans, you must act during the open enrollment period.

MISS THE DEADLINE? To enroll for Medicare outside of the open enrollment period, you will need a qualifying event to be eligible.

Click for Qualifying Events