Part A
Medicare Part A helps cover inpatient care in hospitals, care in skilled nursing facilities, hospice care and some home healthcare. It’s available at no cost for most people.
How Medicare works
Learning about Medicare can be a daunting task. But it doesn’t have to be. We are here, helping you understand the basics of Medicare (Parts A, B, C and D), the three main types of Medicare (Original, Medicare Advantage and Supplemental) and the enrollment timeline (all the way from signing to switching when a plan doesn’t meet your needs).
Understanding Medicare plans
There are some great benefits that become available to you when you turn 65, and we want to make sure you’re able to make the most of them. Let’s start by taking a look at the basics of Medicare.
What is Medicare?
Medicare provides national health insurance for people age 65 years and older, and to select individuals with disabilities or specific medical conditions. Some health services are available at no cost while other options may carry a deductible or monthly cost.
How much does Medicare cost?
Medicare costs and coverage can vary depending on the plan you choose. Some healthcare services may be covered in full, while others may require out-of-pocket costs such as copays, coinsurance or deductibles.
What does Medicare cover?
Medicare is actually made up of four different types of coverage:
Part B
Medicare Part B helps pay for doctors (both in and out of the hospital), durable medical equipment and some medical services that are not covered by Part A. If you receive Social Security benefits, the Part B premium is usually deducted from your monthly check.
Part C
Part C, which includes Parts A and B plus additional benefits, is also known as Medicare Advantage. Many Medicare Advantage plans (including several from Health Alliance Plan) feature prescription drug coverage.
Part D
Medicare Part D helps pay for prescription drug coverage.