What types of Medicare are there
Medicare Part A
Hospital Insurance
Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some home health care.
Medicare Part C
Medicare Advantage Plans
A Medicare Advantage Plan is a type of Medicare health plan offered by a private company that contracts with Medicare to provide you with all your Part A and Part B benefits.
Medicare Advantage Plans include Health Maintenance Organizations, Preferred Provider Organizations, Private Fee-for-Service Plans, Special Needs Plans, and Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans.
If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, Medicare services are covered through the plan and aren’t paid for under Original Medicare. Most Medicare Advantage Plans offer prescription drug coverage.
Medicare Part B
Medical Insurance
Part B covers certain doctors’ services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services.
Medicare Part D
Prescription Insurance
Part D adds prescription drug coverage to Original Medicare, some Medicare Cost Plans, some Medicare Private-Fee-for-Service Plans, and Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans. These plans are offered by insurance companies and other private companies approved by Medicare.
Medicare Advantage Plans may also offer prescription drug coverage that follows the same rules as Medicare Prescription Drug Plans.
New to Medicare?
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Be automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B effective the month you turn 65 if you receive Social Security retirement benefits.
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Sign up for Medicare by calling the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213 or visiting the SSA website if you do not receive Social Security benefits.
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Sign up for Part A and / or Part B starting three months before the month in which you turn 65 on the Social Security website.
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Apply for Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) three months before you turn 65 if you are not receiving your Social Security benefits.
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Select your Medicare plan during the initial enrollment period, which runs from three months before your 65th birth month until three months after your birth month. You have a total of seven months to sign up.