What is the difference between all Medicare coverages?
Original Medicare
Part A - Hospital
Part A - Hospital
Original Medicare includes Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance). You can join a separate Medicare drug plan to get Medicare drug coverage (Part D). You can use any doctor or hospital that takes Medicare, anywhere in the U.S. To help pay your out-of-pocket costs in Original Medicare (like your 20%coinsurance), you can also shop for and buy supplemental coverage.
Part A - Hospital
Part A - Hospital
Part A - Hospital
Helps cover
- Inpatient care in hospitals
- Skilled nursing facility care
- Hospice care
- Home health care
Part B - Medical
Part A - Hospital
Part C - Medicare Advantage
Helps cover
- Services from doctors and other health care providers
- Outpatient care
- Home health care
- Durable medical equipment (like wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, and other equipment)
- Many preventive services (like screenings, shots or vaccines, and yearly “Wellness” visits)
Part C - Medicare Advantage
Part C - Medicare Advantage
Part C - Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage is a
Medicare-approved plan from a private company that offers an alternative to Original Medicare for your health and drug coverage. These “bundled” plans include Part A,
Part B, and usually Part D. Plans may offer some extra benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t cover—like certain vision, hearing, and dental services.
Part D - Drugs
Part C - Medicare Advantage
Medicare Supplement
Helps cover the cost of prescription drugs (including many recommended shots or vaccines). Plans that offer Medicare drug coverage (Part D) are run by private insurance companies that follow rules set by Medicare.
Medicare Supplement
Part C - Medicare Advantage
Medicare Supplement
Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policies sold by private insurance companies can help pay some of the remaining health care costs for covered services and supplies, like copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.
Enrollment Periods
Initial Enrollment Period - Age 65
Generally, you can first sign up for Part A and/or Part B during the 7-month period that begins 3 months before the month you turn 65 and ends 3 months after the month you turn 65. If your birthday is on the first of the month, your 7-month period starts 4 months before the month you turn 65 and ends 2 months after the month you turn 65.
- Annual Enrollment Period October 15th to December 7th - You can join, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare drug plan, or switch to Original Medicare during this Annual Enrollment Period each year. Coverage will be valid on January 1st.
- January 1st to March 31st (Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period) - Only if you are already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can make a switch to another Medicare Advantage plan between January 1st -March 31st each year. Your coverage starts the month after you sign up.
- Supplemental Plan Enrollment Period - This enrollment period is to supplement your original Medicare Part A and Part B coverage. You have a 6 month window, which begins to run from the date you turn age 65 and should already be enrolled in your Medicare Part B.
- Special Enrollment Period - You can make a change to your health plan only for certain situations that happen in your life, like moving to a new address, losing or changing your current coverage, getting Medicaid, or getting Extra Help to pay drug costs, and more.