Real answers for your healthcare questions
What is Medicare and how does it work?
Answer
Medicare is a federal health insurance program mainly for people age 65 and older. It also covers some younger people with certain disabilities or qualifying conditions. Medicare is divided into parts that cover hospital care, medical services, prescription drugs, and private plan options.
What to Know
Part A generally covers inpatient hospital care. Part B covers many doctor, outpatient, and preventive services. You can receive those benefits through Original Medicare or through a Medicare Advantage plan, also called Part C. Part D helps cover prescription drugs. Many people also consider Medigap to help with some costs left by Original Medicare.
What to Do Next
Start by identifying when you become eligible and what coverage you already have. Then compare how Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, drug coverage, and supplemental coverage would work for your doctors, prescriptions, budget, and travel needs.
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