Navigating Medicare parts
We’ll help you understand the differences between Medicare Parts A, B, C, D, and Medigap plans so you can find the coverage that fits your healthcare needs.
How does Medicare work?
Medicare is a federal health insurance program designed for people 65 years of age or older and individuals with certain disabilities.
Medicare Parts A and B serve as the foundation for coverage, known as Original Medicare.
- Medicare Part A: Covers hospital services.
- Medicare Part B: Covers medical services.
Tip: Original Medicare does not cover all costs, so you have the option to add a Medicare Supplement plan to fill gaps in your coverage and a Medicare Part D plan for prescription drugs.
What is Medicare Advantage (Part C)?
Private insurance carriers offer Medicare Advantage plans (also called Medicare Part C), which substitute for Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) coverage. Part C plans must at least match Original Medicare’s coverage and may offer additional health and wellness benefits.
Tip: Most Medicare Advantage plans include Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage.
Further reading:
What is Medicare Part D?
Private insurers offer Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. Costs and coverage details may vary by carrier.
If you don’t have drug coverage from another source, such as employer-provided insurance, sign up for a Part D plan as soon as you can. Otherwise, you may have to pay long-term late enrollment penalties.
Tip: Anyone enrolled in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) is eligible for Part D prescription drug coverage.
Further reading:
Do I need Medicare Supplement?
Medicare Supplement plans, also referred to as Medigap, are offered by private insurance companies. They help with costs like coinsurance and deductibles that are not covered by Original Medicare.
Carriers offer a range of Medicare Supplement insurance plans with different coverage levels and benefits. Standardized plan types are each assigned a letter from “A” to “N.” Note that some types are no longer sold, and the policies available in Massachusetts, Wisconsin, and Minnesota are standardized differently than in other states.
Tip: Once you’ve signed up for Medicare Parts A and B, you can enroll in either a Medicare Supplement plan or a Medicare Advantage plan, but not both.
Further reading:
- What is Medigap, and Why Do I Need Supplemental Insurance?
- Medicare Plan N Costs and Coverage
- Medicare Plan F
- Medicare Plan G Costs and Coverage
- Medicare Plan K (Medigap) Supplemental Coverage, Cost and Alternatives
- What to Know About Medicare Supplement Plans C, F, G, And N
- Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plan L: Costs & Coverage
What you need to know about Special Needs Plans
Medicare SNPs are a type of Medicare Advantage plan that limits membership to people with a characteristic or condition in common:
- A Chronic Condition Special Needs Plan (C-SNP) provides coordinated care for people with specific chronic conditions.
- A Dual Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) is for people who are enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid.
- An Institutional Special Needs Plan (I-SNP) is for people who need (or expect to need) the kind of care provided in an institutionalized setting, such as a long-term care nursing facility, for 90 days or more.
Tip: All SNPs must include Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage.
Want to know more about your Medicare options?
We’re here to help you navigate your choices and find the right plan for your needs.
Call us 1-855-792-0088
(TTY: 711 — Mon – Fri, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. CT)
