Original Medicare
Part A and Part B. See any doctor or hospital in the U.S. that accepts Medicare.
Federal health insurance
A simple guide to Medicare
Medicare is the U.S. health insurance program for people 65 or older and for some younger people with disabilities, ALS, or end-stage renal disease.
Open Enrollment is October 15 – December 7. Changes you make then start January 1.
What Medicare covers
Original Medicare is Part A plus Part B. You can add Part D for drugs, buy Medigap, or choose a Part C Medicare Advantage plan instead.
Medicare Advantage
Also called Part C. Private plans that bundle hospital, medical, and often drug coverage.
Drug coverage
Part D helps pay for prescriptions. Add a stand-alone plan or get drugs through many Advantage plans.
The four parts
Part A
Hospital insurance
- Inpatient hospital care
- Skilled nursing facility care
- Hospice
- Some home health care
Part B
Medical insurance
- Doctor visits
- Outpatient care
- Preventive services
- Durable medical equipment
Part C
Medicare Advantage
- Private alternative to Original Medicare
- Must cover Part A and Part B services
- Often includes Part D drugs
- May use networks and extra benefits
Part D
Prescription drugs
- Optional drug coverage
- Stand-alone plan or through Advantage
- Formulary and pharmacy networks vary
- Late enrollment can mean a penalty
Who can get Medicare
- Age 65 or older, U.S. citizen or long-term lawful permanent resident
- Under 65 with Social Security Disability Insurance for 24 months
- ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease)
- End-stage renal disease, if you meet program rules
When to sign up
If you already get Social Security before 65, you are usually enrolled automatically. If not, you typically need to apply during your Initial Enrollment Period so coverage is not delayed.
Dates and tools