About Medicare Supplement Plans

Medicare Parts

Medicare is broken down into four “parts”, which cover different aspects of medical care.  Here is a list of the parts and what each does:

Medicare Part A: Covers short term stay at a hospital or skilled nursing home, as well as at hospice care and at home health care. These facilities have to be pre-approved by Medicare and only “in-patient” care is covered. Many people do not pay any premium for this part of Medicare, but all expenses are not always covered.  Most people automatically qualify for Part A, but it can also be purchased if you meet certain requirements.

Medicare Part B: Covers things like doctor’s services, medical testing, outpatient care, and things of this nature. Medicare Part B also covers preventative services to prevent illness and/or catch it early. Part B can cover some of the gaps in Part A, but a premium, usually around $115 a month, is required.

Medicare Part C (also referred to as the Medicare Advantage Plan): Offered through private insurance companies approved by Medicare. Medicare will pay a certain amount towards your Medicare Advantage Plan. What Part C consists of is a combination of Part A and B, as well as additional services like vision, hearing, dental, etc. There are different types of Medicare Advantage Plans that provide you with different coverage. These plans can change out-of-pocket costs and can affect which doctor’s or specialists you can see.

Medicare Part D: Medicare Part D covers prescription drugs, and can be added to Part A or you can find a PPO or HMO that includes Part D. Like Part C, you must have plan through an insurance company or a private company to add Part D. Medicare Part D can vary in cost and coverage depending on where you obtain it.

If you have questions about whether you need Medicare supplements to ensure adequate coverage, fill out our quote form.  With the best options for your supplemental insurance needs, MedicareSupplementsForYou.com can help you make an informed decision to save money without sacrificing the peace of mind that Medicare supplement insurance can provide.