Medicare is a federal health insurance program that provides coverage for eligible individuals who are 65 years or older, younger individuals with certain disabilities, and individuals with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Medicare is divided into four main parts:
- Part A (Hospital Insurance): This covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and some home health care.
- Part B (Medical Insurance): This covers doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, medical equipment, and some home health care.
- Part C (Medicare Advantage): This is an alternative to traditional Medicare and allows beneficiaries to receive their benefits through private insurance plans that contract with Medicare. These plans typically offer additional benefits and may have different costs and restrictions than traditional Medicare.
- Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage): This covers prescription drugs and is offered through private insurance plans that contract with Medicare.
Medicare has specific eligibility requirements, and the costs and coverage of the different parts of Medicare can vary depending on a variety of factors, including income and medical needs. It’s important to research and understand the different parts of Medicare to determine which coverage options best meet your healthcare needs.