medicare & medicare supplement

What is Medicare?

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people 65 or older, certain younger people with disabilities, people with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

Part A (Hospital Insurance)

Part A helps pay for inpatient care at hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and Hospice. It also covers some outpatient home health care.

Part A is free if you worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. You may also be eligible because of your current or former spouse’s work.

Part B (Medical Insurance)

Part B helps cover services from doctors and other health care providers including outpatient care, home health care, durable medical equipment and some preventative services.

Most people pay a monthly premium for Part B, and the exact premium depends on your income level.

Review what you might pay at www.medicare.gov/

Part C (Medicare Advantage Plans)

Part C is an alternative to Parts A and B that bundles several coverage types, including Parts A, B, and usually D.

It may also include vision, hearing and dental insurance.

You must sign up for Part A or Part B before enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan.

Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage)

Part D helps cover prescription drug costs.

You must sign up for Part A or Part B before enrolling in Part D.

Medicare Supplement (Medigap)

A Medigap Plan, also called a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan, is private health insurance that helps pay for out-of-pocket costs not covered by Original Medicare (Parts A and B).

These costs may include copayments, coinsurance and/or deductibles.