Skip to main content
  • Producers
  • Español

    • A guide to the most commonly misunderstood Medicare terms

    Color portrait of Sachi Fujimori By Sachi Fujimori

    couple birding in woods

    We’ve all experienced challenges in life, from moving to a new community to starting a new job to learning a new skill. At first, these experiences may have seemed a little daunting. But once you grasped the basics, they likely became easier. Then one day they became second nature. 

    The same can be said for mastering Medicare. By choosing a plan that best fits your needs, you’ll be better equipped to achieve your personal health goals. But selecting the right coverage starts with understanding the basics.

    Read on to decode some of the more commonly misunderstood Medicare terms. (You might even be surprised to realize how much you already know!)  

    What’s the difference between Medicare and Medicaid?

    Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people 65 and older and younger people with certain disabilities. Read more on getting Medicare when you have a disability.  Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides health coverage for people with limited incomes.

    What’s the difference between Original Medicare and Parts A and B?

    They mean the same thing. Original Medicare, the federal health program, includes two parts: Part A (hospital coverage) and Part B (medical care). Part A typically covers inpatient care in a hospital or skilled nursing facility, and home health care. Part B usually covers doctor visits and preventive services. Visit “Unpacking the Parts of Medicare” to learn more.

    What’s the difference between Medicare Part C and Medicare Advantage?

    Both terms refer to the same thing. Instead of Original Medicare from the federal government, you can choose a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) offered by a private insurance company. These plans include all of the benefits and services of Parts A and B. They may include prescription drug coverage as part of the plan. In addition, Medicare Advantage plans may offer extra benefits and services, such as vision, dental and hearing coverage, and fitness memberships. Visit “Unpacking Medicare Advantage” for more info.  

    What’s the difference between Medicare Supplement and Medigap?

    Don’t be confused by these terms — they mean the same thing. For those on Original Medicare, you can buy additional coverage through private insurance companies to help pay for costs that are not covered, such as copayments, coinsurance and deductibles.

    What is the donut hole in Medicare?

    The donut hole refers to a gap in coverage, during which you may have to pay more for your prescription drugs. Here’s how it works:

    • Once you and your drug plan spend a certain amount towards your prescription drug costs, you enter the donut hole or coverage gap.
    • While in the donut hole, you may pay a higher percentage of the cost of your prescription drugs until you pay enough out of pocket to exit this level.

    To learn more about when the donut hole period takes effect, read “Unpacking Part D."

    What is a formulary?

    This is a list of prescription drugs that’s covered by the plan. To lower costs, many plans place drugs into different tiers — or pricing categories — on their formularies. Drugs on each tier cost a different amount, and plans can structure their tiers in different ways. Generally, the lower the tier, the less you pay.

    We’ve also included some basic health insurance terms that are helpful for understanding your Medicare coverage.

    • A premium is a monthly amount you pay for coverage.
    • A deductible is the amount you must pay for covered health care services or prescriptions before Original Medicare, your Medicare Advantage plan or your prescription drug plan begins to pay.
    • Coinsurance is the percentage of what you pay (for example, 20 percent).
    • A copayment or copay is a set amount that you pay (for example, $40).
    • An out-of-pocket maximum or limit is the most you’ll pay during a policy period (usually a year) for covered medical services. Once you reach your out-of-pocket maximum, your plan pays 100 percent of medical covered services.

    Now that we’ve covered the basics, you should be better prepared to make the right decisions to reach your health goals.

    For a more complete list of terms, visit our Medicare glossary. 

    About the author

    Sachi Fujimori is a writer and editor based in Brooklyn who focuses on writing about science and health.  A good day is one where she eats her vegetables and remembers to live in the moment with her baby girl.

    Related content

    Is Medicare Advantage right for you?

    Is Medicare Advantage right for you?
    Understanding the gaps in Original Medicare

    Understanding the gaps in Original Medicare
    Learn more about Medicare's parts

    Learn more about Medicare's parts

    Explore topics:

    Disclaimers

    Aetna Medicare is a PDP, HMO, PPO plan with a Medicare contract. Our SNPs also have contracts with State Medicaid programs. Enrollment in our plans depends on contract renewal.

    See Evidence of Coverage for a complete description of plan benefits, exclusions, limitations and conditions of coverage. Plan features and availability may vary by service area.