Part A: hospital insurance
Part A generally helps cover inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility following a qualifying hospital stay, some home health care, and hospice care.
Most people do not pay a premium for Part A because they or a spouse paid Medicare taxes while working for a long enough period. Part A still involves deductibles and coinsurance when you use covered services.
Part B: medical insurance
Part B generally helps cover doctor visits, outpatient hospital care, preventive services, lab tests, mental health care, and durable medical equipment.
Part B has a monthly premium, an annual deductible, and coinsurance for most services. Higher-income beneficiaries may pay an income-related adjustment on top of the standard premium.
Part C: Medicare Advantage
Part C is not a separate set of benefits. It is a way to receive your Part A and Part B benefits through a private plan approved by Medicare, often with prescription drug coverage and sometimes with supplemental benefits included.
Part D: prescription drug coverage
Part D helps pay for prescription medications. You can get it through a standalone plan added to Original Medicare or through a Medicare Advantage plan that includes drug coverage.
Original Medicare
Original Medicare refers to Part A and Part B together, administered directly by the federal government. It has no provider network and no annual out-of-pocket maximum, and it does not include routine prescription drug coverage.
Medicare Supplement insurance
Medicare Supplement insurance, or Medigap, is private coverage that pays part of what Original Medicare leaves to you. It is not one of the lettered parts of Medicare, but it is a common companion to Original Medicare and a standalone Part D plan.
Side-by-side comparison
| Coverage type | General purpose | Who administers it | Prescription coverage included | Provider networks may apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A | Inpatient hospital, skilled nursing, hospice, some home health | Federal government | No | No |
| Part B | Doctor visits, outpatient and preventive care, equipment | Federal government | No | No |
| Part C (Medicare Advantage) | Delivers Part A and Part B benefits through a private plan | Private insurance company under Medicare contract | Often | Yes |
| Part D | Outpatient prescription drugs | Private insurance company approved by Medicare | Yes | Pharmacy networks apply |
| Medicare Supplement | Helps pay costs Original Medicare leaves to you | Private insurance company | No | No |
Premiums, deductibles, and cost-sharing amounts are set each year. We publish current figures only when they have been verified, so check Medicare.gov or your plan documents for exact amounts.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Part C separate coverage from Part A and Part B?
- No. Part C is a private plan that administers your Part A and Part B benefits, often bundling prescription drug coverage and sometimes supplemental benefits.
- Do I need all four parts?
- Most people have Part A and Part B, then choose either a Medicare Advantage plan or a combination of Original Medicare, a Medicare Supplement policy, and a Part D plan.
- Is Medicare Supplement the same as Medicare Advantage?
- No. Medicare Supplement works alongside Original Medicare and pays part of your share of costs. Medicare Advantage replaces the way your Part A and Part B benefits are administered.
Talk through your Medicare options
Answer a few questions and a licensed insurance agent can help you review the Medicare options available where you live. There is no obligation to enroll.
By calling or submitting a form, you may be connected with a licensed insurance agent.
