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What is Medicare?

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people 65 and older, people under 65 with certain disabilities, and people with end-stage renal disease. It can be broken down into four parts (A, B, C, D), each with different types of coverage. You have options!

Part A (Original Medicare - Hospital)

Provides coverage for hospital-related services such as:

• Inpatient hospital care, including semi-private rooms, meals, and general nursing
• Care in a skilled nursing facility
• Hospice care
• Home health care, if it is medically necessary and you are homebound

Part B (Original Medicare - Medical)

Provides coverage for certain medical services and supplies, that are deemed medically necessary, such as:

• Services from doctors or health care providers
• Outpatient care, including hospice care, lab tests, and X-Rays
• Medical Equipment, including walkers, wheelchairs, and hospital beds
• Preventative services, such as flu shots or cancer screenings
  Home health care, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language therapy
  Mental health care, including therapy and counseling
  Some prescription drugs, such as certain cancer drugs and injectable osteoporosis drugs

Part C (Medicare Advantage)

Part C, or Medicare Advantage, is a Medicare plan from a private insurance company that is Medicare approved. Medicare Advantages plans may offer extra benefits that Original Medicare doesn't cover - such as dental, vision, and hearing services.

Part D (Prescription Drug Plan)

Part D, or Prescription Drug coverage, helps beneficiaries cover the cost of prescription drugs, as well as recommended shots and vaccines. Part D Prescription Drug plans (PDPs) are often already bundled into Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans, or offered as standalone plans when paired with Parts A and B and/or with a Medicare Supplement plan.

Medicare Supplement (Medigap)

Medicare Supplement Insurance (also known as Medigap) is a type of private health insurance that is designed to supplement Original Medicare (Parts A and B). It helps cover some of the out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare does not cover, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. Medicare Supplement Insurance policies are offered by private insurance companies and are standardized by the federal government. This means that each insurance company must offer the same benefits for each policy type, regardless of which company you buy from.

For more information about the types of Medicare, please visit our Medicare Basics resource. Check out our Services page to learn more about how Keen Advisors can help you navigate Medicare.