Let's learn more about your potential Medicare benefits by unpacking its parts. Medicare is the government-sponsored health insurance program for people 65 and older. People under the age of 65 with certain types of disabilities also qualify.
You can first sign up for a plan during the initial enrollment period, three months before you turn 65, your birth month, and three months after you turn 65.
Let's break down the parts.
Medicare Part A covers most in-patient medical expenses like hospital stays and home health care. You'll need to pay a deductible before the program covers a portion of your costs. The deductible could be assessed more than once in a year.
Part B works with Part A by covering additional care like doctor visits, lab tests, and out-patient procedures. Together, Part A and B are often referred to as original Medicare. You pay a monthly premium for your Part B coverage. Remember, unless you get medical coverage from another source like your work or through your spouse, it's a good idea to sign up for Part B as soon as you're eligible. Why? Because you may pay a higher Part B premium if you wait.
Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage, are plans offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. They may offer more benefits at a lower cost than original Medicare. How? Because Medicare Advantage plans are made up of networks of healthcare providers. These networks give you access to in-network professionals. This helps make your care more affordable.
Keep in mind that if you purchase a Part C plan, you may pay a monthly premium and/or deductible.
Medicare Advantage plans may include benefits that can help you take care of your whole health like dental, vision, and fitness programs.
Part D helps pay for prescription drug coverage. These plans are offered by private insurance companies that are approved by Medicare. Depending on the Part D plan you choose, you may pay a monthly premium and sometimes a deductible.
Medicare supplement plans, also known as Medigap plans, can help pay for some bills original Medicare doesn't cover. They can also provide medical coverage when you travel outside the United States. These plans are sold through approved private insurance companies and they're only available to people who only have original Medicare.
Got more questions? Learn more at: AetnaMedicare.com.
If life is a journey, then you’ll want to pack for the trip. Medicare, the government-sponsored health insurance program for people 65 and over (and those with certain disabilities), is one of the most important items you can take with you.
However, Medicare is broken down into parts. And you’ll need to understand them before you can choose which ones you plan to take. Let’s explore the different parts of Medicare and learn how you can use them to meet your health goals.
Part B complements your Part A coverage to provide coverage both in and out of the hospital. In fact, Part A and Part B were the first parts of Medicare created by the government. This is why the two parts together are often referred to as “Original Medicare.” Additionally, most people who do not have additional coverage through a group plan (like those offered by employers) generally sign up for Parts A and B at the same time.
Hospital insurance
Medical insurance
To learn more about Original Medicare, go to "Unpacking Original Medicare and Understanding the Gaps."
Medicare Part C is also known as Medicare Advantage. It's made up of plans approved by Medicare that are offered through private insurance companies. Before enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan, you will still need to sign up for both Part A and Part B, and then choose a Medicare Advantage plan that is right for you. This means that to get a Medicare Advantage plan, you will have to sign up directly with the private insurer that offers the plan you want after you’ve enrolled in Part A and B.
Medicare Advantage plans can offer additional benefits because the plans are made up of networks of health care providers. Networks can be more efficient in delivering care. As a result, they reduce overall health care costs. Some Medicare Advantage plans require you to use their network of providers. Others allow you to go out-of-network, usually for a higher cost.
To learn more about Medicare Part C/Medicare Advantage plans, go to "Unpacking Medicare Advantage."
Like Medicare Advantage, Part D plans are offered by private insurance companies that are approved by Medicare. Prescription drug benefits are often included as part of Medicare Advantage plans. However, if you choose to enroll in Original Medicare you can add prescription drug coverage to your Original Medicare coverage. You can do this by purchasing a stand-alone Part D plan from a private insurer.
To learn more about Medicare Part D plans, go to “Unpacking Part D.”
Prescription drug coverage
Medicare Supplement plans are sometimes called Medigap plans. They’re sold by private insurance companies, just like Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans.
To learn more about Medicare Supplement plans, go to “Unpacking Original Medicare and Understanding the Gaps.”
Interested in seeing how you can use the different parts of Medicare to get the coverage that is best for you? See our Medicare coverage comparison chart.
Mark Pabst has worked as a writer and researcher in the health care field for almost two decades. When not writing about health he tries to stay healthy through activities like hiking, climbing and paddling in the far flung corners of his native state of California. However, despite his best efforts he still has a few unhealthy habits he can’t shake, most notably a weakness for jelly donuts.
The information you will be accessing is provided by another organization or vendor. If you do not intend to leave our site, close this message.
You are leaving our Medicare website and going to our non-Medicare website. If you do not intend to leave our site, close this message.
We’re bringing you to our trusted partner to help process your payments. This site has its own login. It may be different from your Aetna secure member site login.