Part A — Hospital Insurance
Part A generally helps cover inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facility care under qualifying conditions, hospice care and certain home health services. Many people qualify for premium-free Part A based on Medicare taxes paid while working.
Part B — Medical Insurance
Part B generally helps cover physician services, outpatient care, durable medical equipment, preventive services and other medically necessary services. Most people pay a monthly Part B premium, and higher-income beneficiaries may pay more.
Part C — Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage, also called Part C, is an alternative way to receive your Medicare benefits through a private insurance company approved by Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans provide your Part A and Part B benefits and usually include Part D prescription drug coverage. Depending on the plan, provider networks, referrals, copayments, coinsurance and other plan rules may apply. Many plans also include additional benefits such as routine dental, vision or hearing services. You must have both Part A and Part B to join a Medicare Advantage plan, and you continue paying your Part B premium.
Learn more about Medicare Advantage →
Part D — Prescription Drug Coverage
Part D helps cover the cost of prescription drugs. If you have Original Medicare, you can generally add Part D through a separate Medicare drug plan. Many Medicare Advantage plans include Part D coverage within the plan. Each Part D plan has its own formulary, pharmacy network and cost structure, so the medications you take and the pharmacies you use can make a significant difference when comparing plans. Going 63 days or more without Medicare drug coverage or other creditable prescription coverage after you are eligible may result in a late-enrollment penalty.
General Enrollment Period
If you need to enroll in Part B or premium-Part A after your Initial Enrollment Period and do not qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, the General Enrollment Period runs January 1–March 31. Under current Medicare rules, coverage generally starts the month after you sign up.
How the parts fit together
Original Medicare consists of Part A and Part B. If you stay with Original Medicare, you may add a separate Part D plan for prescription coverage and may also consider Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) to help with certain Part A and Part B out-of-pocket costs. Medicare Advantage, or Part C, is the other main way to receive your Medicare health coverage and usually combines Part A, Part B and Part D in one private Medicare-approved plan.
Use official cost information
Medicare costs are updated regularly. Rather than hard-code numbers that become stale, this site links to the current Medicare.gov cost page.