Medicare Consumer

Medicare Supplement, or Medigap, coverage is only supplemental to what Medicare covers. If you have expenses not covered in the first place by Medicare (such as non-essential cosmetic surgery), your Medicare Supplement policy generally won’t pay for the coinsurance or deductible. Also, as a general rule, Medigap policies do not cover custodial care or long-term nursing home or home care. *Note: The terms Medicare supplement and Medigap can be used interchangeably. 

Medicare Part D offers Medicare prescription drug plan coverage. This Medicare prescription drug plan may help lower prescription drug costs and help protect against higher costs in the future. It can give you greater access to drugs that you can use to prevent complications of diseases.

Medicare Part C, sometimes referred to as Medicare Advantage Plans, is a health plan option that is approved by Medicare and run by private companies. Medicare Part C is part of the Medicare Program.
When you join Medicare Part C, you are still in Medicare. Some of the Medicare Part C plans require referrals to see specialists. In many cases, the premiums or the costs of services (co-pays) can be lower in a Medicare Part C Plan than they are in the Original Medicare.

Medicare Part B helps cover medical services such as doctors’ visits, outpatient care, and other medical services that Medicare Part A does not cover. Medicare Part B pays for covered medical services and items when they are medically necessary, as well as some preventive services.

Medicare Part A helps cover your inpatient care in a hospital. This includes critical illness hospitals and skilled nursing facilities (certain conditions apply). Medicare Part A also helps cover hospice and home health care. You must meet certain conditions to get these Medicare Part A benefits.
Most people automatically get Medicare Part A coverage without paying a monthly premium. This is because they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes while working.
Medicare Part A coverage includes: