Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people aged sixty-five and older. It’s also available to younger people with certain disabilities, and people with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or ALS.

Medicare helps pay for hospital stays, doctor visits, prescription drugs, and other health services but does not cover all costs, requiring beneficiaries to pay premiums, deductibles, and other costs.

The Four Main Parts of Medicare:

Medicare Part A

Part A is known as the hospital insurance coverage. It covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and some home health care. Most people do not pay a premium for Part A if they or their spouse have paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years.

Medicare Part B

Part B covers outpatient care, doctor visits, preventive services (like vaccinations and screenings), and some home health care. There is a monthly premium for Part B, which might vary based on income.

Part C (Medicare Advantage Plans):
Part C is the Advantage plans that provide all the benefits of Part A and Part B, and often include additional benefits like vision, dental, and wellness programs.  Some plans may include prescription drug coverage (sometimes referred to as Part D).
Members typically pay a premium for these plans, which can vary.

Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage):
Part D helps to cover the cost of prescription medications, which are offered through private insurance companies and require an additional premium.

Visit Medicare.gov for detailed information about coverage, costs, and how to enroll.