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Home / Medicare Insurance / What Is Medicare Part A, B, C & D?
Medicare Insurance

What Is Medicare Part A, B, C & D?

By:Michael Quinn Published onMay 5, 2020January 3, 2025 Updated onJanuary 3, 2025

Medicare

Medicare can be confusing.  We developed this page in order to provide foundational information about the basic parts of Medicare. When you’re finished, make sure to head over to our Medicare and You page to get the latest official handbook.

In this article we’ll discuss:
  • Medicare
  • What is Medicare?
  • What are the parts of Medicare?
  • Medicare Part A
  • Medicare Part B
  • Medicare Part B Benefits
  • Parts A and B Benefits
  • Medicare Part C
  • Medicare Part D
  • What about Medicare Supplements?

What is Medicare?

Medicare is the federal government health insurance program that provides coverage for people 65 year old or under; under 65 years old and have Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for a certain duration of time, or under age 65 and have End-Stage Renal Disease.

What Is Medicare

What are the parts of Medicare?

Medicare is broken into 4 parts.  Parts A, B, C, and D.  Each of these parts will provide health insurance coverage in a unique way.

Medicare Part A

Part A is your Hospital Insurance that helps cover some of your health care costs.

What does Part A cover?

  • Your inpatient care in a hospital.
  • Your care in a Skilled nursing facility.
  • Hospice care.
  • Home health care.

Medicare Part A Benefits

The following is a breakdown of your Medicare Part A benefits. It shows you what Medicare pays. You are responsible for the remaining costs unless you have a Medicare Supplement plan to cover these expenses.

ServicesMedicare Pays
First 3 pints$0
Additional amounts100%
ServicesMedicare Pays
First 60 daysAll but $1676
61st through 90th dayAll but $419 a day
91st day & after (60 Reserve Days)All but $838 a day
After Reserve (Additional 365 Days)$0
Beyond the Additional 365 Days$0
ServicesMedicare Pays
First 20 daysAll approved amounts
21st through 100th dayAll but $209.50 a day
91st day & after (60 Reserve Days)All but $838 a day
101st day and after$0
ServicesMedicare Pays
Must meet Medicare’s requirements. Including a doctor’s certification of terminal illness.All but very limited Copayment Coinsurance for outpatient drugs and inpatient Respite care.

*When your Medicare Part A hospital benefits are exhausted, the Medicare Supplement insurer will stand in place of Medicare. Your Medigap plan will pay whatever amount Medicare would pay for up to the 365 days as provided in your policy’s Core Benefits. During this time the hospital is prohibited from billing you for the balance based on any difference between its billed charges and the amount Medicare would have paid.

what does medicare part a cover

Medicare Part B

Part B is your Medical Insurance that helps cover some of your costs.

What does Part B cover?

  • Doctor and related Health care provider services.
  • Outpatient care.
  • Home health care.
  • Durable medical equipment.
  • Some health preventative services.

Medicare Part B Benefits

The following is a breakdown of your Medicare Part B benefits. It shows you what Medicare pays. You are responsible for the remaining costs unless you have a Medicare Supplement plan to cover these expenses.

ServicesMedicare Pays
First 3 pints$0
Next $240 of approved amounts$0
Remainder of approved amountsGenerally 80%
ServicesMedicare Pays
First $240 of approved amounts$0
Remainder of approved amountsGenerally 80%
Part B Excess charge$0
ServicesMedicare Pays
Tests for diagnostic services100%
ServicesMedicare Pays
First $250 during 1st 60 days$0
Remainder of charges up to a lifetime max of $50,000$0

Medicare Part B

Parts A and B Benefits

Both Part A and Part B benefits help cover the costs of home health care – Medicare approved services. 

Below is a breakdown of benefits. It shows you what Medicare pays. You are responsible for the remaining costs unless you have a Medicare Supplement plan to cover these expenses.

Medicare Approved ServicesMedicare Pays
Medically necessary skilled care & medical supplies100%
Durable medical equipmentFirst $257 of Medicare approved amounts: $0
Durable medical equipmentRemainder of Medicare approved amounts: 80%

Medicare Part C

Part C is also known as Medicare Advantage (MA) or (MAPD).

What does Part C cover?

  • Your Part A & B coverage is now managed and run by a Medicare approved insurance company and not Original Medicare.
  • You are not automatically placed in a Part C (Medicare Advantage) plan.  It is a choice to be made by you to join a Part C or Medicare Advantage plan.
  • Typically includes Part D (Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage) as part of the plan.  This is known as MAPD (Medicare Advantage with Part D).

Medicare Part D

Medicare Part D is your coverage for Medicare prescription drugs.

What does Part D cover?

  • Part D is managed and run by private insurance companies that are approved by Medicare.
  • You are not automatically placed into a Part D plan.  Just like Part C, it is a choice to join a Part D plan.
  • Part D plans are designed to help cover prescription drug costs.
  • Finding the right Part D plan may help protect against increasing drug costs in the future and lower your prescription drug costs.

What about Medicare Supplements?

After you sign up for Medicare, Medicare will pay out roughly 80% of your Part A and Part B medical costs and you’re responsible for the remaining 20%. Medicaid are not the same thing.

Medicare Supplement Insurance plans are there to help cover that 20%. Medicare supplements have nothing to do with Part C (Medicare Advantage) or Part D.  A Medigap plan is the same as a Medicare Supplement plan — there is no difference. You will want to get a Part D drug plan if you choose to purchase a Medicare Supplement to help with drug costs.

Please remember that when you become eligible for Medicare, you can opt for either a Medicare Supplement or a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C). You are not allowed to have both.

Hopefully you have gained a better understanding from our post, “What is Medicare Part A, B, C and D.” Please contact us if you have any questions.

Michael Quinn
Website

Michael Quinn is a seasoned Medicare insurance expert and licensed agent dedicated to simplifying the complexities of healthcare coverage. With over a decade of experience, he is a trusted advisor known for his compassionate guidance and commitment to empowering individuals. As the Cofounder of REMEDIGAP in 2013, Michael offers unbiased resources and personalized support to assist clients in making informed decisions.
His expertise has been recognized on reputable platforms such as USA Today and Nerdwallet, solidifying his reputation as a reliable and knowledgeable industry leader. With a Master's Degree in Communicative Disorders, Michael combines strong communication skills with a genuine passion for positively impacting lives through tailored insurance solutions.

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michael quinn insurance

Content Editor

Michael Quinn

Michael Quinn is a seasoned Medicare insurance expert and licensed agent dedicated to simplifying the complexities of healthcare coverage. With over a decade of experience, he is a trusted advisor known for his compassionate guidance and commitment to empowering individuals. As the Cofounder of REMEDIGAP in 2013, Michael offers unbiased resources and personalized support to assist clients in making informed decisions. His expertise has been recognized on reputable platforms such as USA Today and Nerdwallet, solidifying his reputation as a reliable and knowledgeable industry leader. With a Master’s Degree in Communicative Disorders, Michael combines strong communication skills with a genuine passion for positively impacting lives through tailored insurance solutions.

Learn more

Written by Michael Quinn
Licensed Broker, REMEDIGAP Founder

Fact Checked by Joann Quinn
Chief Compliance Officer

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As a licensed insurance broker, REMEDIGAP upholds the principles of integrity in our editorial standards and ensures transparency in how we receive compensation from our insurance partners.

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Learn more about our editorial standards
Michael Quinn

Michael Quinn

Licensed Agent, REMEDIGAP Founder

Michael Quinn is a nationally licensed insurance expert with over a decade of experience and has helped over 1000 clients with their Medicare Supplement needs. Michael has been consulted as an expert insurance source for dozens of high-profile websites such as USA Today, Yahoo.com, NerdWallet, Bankrate, ThinkAdvisor, The Epoch Times, and many more.

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Joann Quinn

Licensed Agent, REMEDIGAP Founder

Joann Quinn is a nationally licensed insurance expert with over a decade of experience and has personally helped thousands of clients with their Medicare Supplement questions and needs. Joann has been consulted as a Medicare expert for high-profile websites and runs a very popular YouTube channel that focuses on understanding the complexities of Medicare.

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      Start your Medicare education with these resources

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