What is Medicare?

Parts of Medicare

Part A (Hospital)

Inpatient Hospital Care
Skilled Nursing Facility
Home Health Care
Hospice Care

Part B (Medical)

Doctors Visit
Preventive Services
Outpatient Care
Lab Tests and Imaging
Clinical Prescription Drugs
Medical Supplies
Mental Health Services
Ambulance Services

Part C (Advantage)

Includes All of Part A and Part B
Offered By Private Health Care Companies
Usually Includes Prescription Drug Plan
May Offer Extra Care Like Dental or Vision
Emergency and Urgent Care
Lab Tests and Imaging
Mental Health Services
May Require Prior Authorization for Specialists

Part D (Prescription Drugs)

Generic and Retail Prescription Drugs
Offered By Private Companies

Medicare Supplements (Medigap)

Works Alongside Original Medicare
Usually No Prior Authorization For Specialists
Does Not Include Part D
Fills In the Gaps Of Original Medicare

Add-ons

Hospital Indemnity
Long-Term Care Insurance
Final Expense

Part A (Hospital)

Inpatient Hospital Care
Skilled Nursing Facility
Home Health Care
Hospice Care

Part B (Medical)

Doctors Visit
Preventive Services
Outpatient Care
Lab Tests and Imaging
Clinical Prescription Drugs
Medical Supplies
Mental Health Services
Ambulance Services

Part C (Advantage)

Includes All of Part A and Part B
Offered By Private Health Care Companies
Usually Includes Prescription Drug Plan
May Offer Extra Care Like Dental or Vision
Emergency and Urgent Care
Lab Tests and Imaging
Mental Health Services
May Require Prior Authorization for Specialists

Part D (Prescription Drugs)

Generic and Retail Prescription Drugs
Offered By Private Companies

Medicare Supplements (Medigap)

Works Alongside Original Medicare
Usually No Prior Authorization For Specialists
Does Not Include Part D
Fills In the Gaps Of Original Medicare

Add-ons

Hospital Indemnity
Long-Term Care Insurance
Final Expense

Enrollment Periods

Annual Enrollment
Oct. 15–Dec. 7

From October 15 to December 7 each year, you can make changes to your Medicare coverage, like switching between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, or adding/changing Part D drug plans.

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment
Jan. 1–Mar. 31

From January 1 to March 31, anyone already in a Medicare Advantage plan can switch to a different Advantage plan or go back to Original Medicare and add a Part D plan.

Special Enrollment Period
Throughout The Year

Certain life events, like moving, losing other coverage, or qualifying for Medicaid, may allow you to enroll or change plans outside the standard enrollment periods.

Initial Enrollment Period
Around your 65th Birthday

This is your first chance to enroll in Medicare, starting three months before the month you turn 65 and ending three months after. You can sign up for Part A, Part B, and even a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan.

Annual Election Period

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