Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D

Medicare is often described by its parts, and understanding what each part covers can make the rest of your Medicare decisions easier.

Part A is hospital insurance. It helps cover inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and some home health care.

Part B is medical insurance. It helps cover doctor and other health care provider services, outpatient care, preventive services, and durable medical equipment.

Together, Parts A and B are known as Original Medicare.

Part C, also called Medicare Advantage, is a way to receive your Medicare Part A and Part B benefits through a private health plan approved by Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans generally include Part A and Part B coverage and may include prescription drug coverage and additional benefits. Many plans use provider networks and have their own rules for how you receive care.

Part D is prescription drug coverage offered through private plans approved by Medicare. People who have Original Medicare can generally add a stand-alone Part D plan.

People with Original Medicare may also consider a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan to help pay certain costs that Original Medicare does not cover. Medigap plans work alongside Original Medicare and generally cannot be used with Medicare Advantage.

The right Medicare coverage depends on factors such as your doctors and hospitals, prescription medications, expected health care needs, travel plans, and budget. Understanding how the pieces fit together can help you make an informed decision about your coverage.

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