What is Medicare?

Medicare is the federal government program that gives you health care coverage if you are 65 or older, or under 65 and have a disability, no matter what your income.

Part A – Hospital insurance
Covers hospital, skilled nursing, home health and hospice care
Free if you have worked and paid SS taxes for 40 quarters/10 years

Part B – Medical insurance
Covers Doctors services, preventative care, Durable medical equipment, outpatient, lab tests, x-rays, mental health care, some home health and ambulance services
You pay a monthly premium for this.

Part C – Not a separate benefit
Policy that allows private health insurance companies to provide Medicare benefits.

Part D – Prescription drug insurance.
Provides outpatient prescription drug coverage.
Provided on through private insurance companies that have contract through the government.