Medicare Part A covers: Inpatient care in a hospital, Skilled nursing facility care, Nursing home care (inpatient care in a skilled nursing facility that’s not custodial or long-term care), Hospice care, and Home health care. Medicare Part A is usually free if you or your spouse paid Medicare payroll taxes for approximately ten years while working (this is called “premium-free Part A”). If you don’t qualify for premium-free Part A, you may have the option to pay for hospital insurance, also called “premium Part A”.

‍

You can get premium-free Part A at 65 if:

You already get retirement benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board.

You're eligible to get Social Security or Railroad benefits but haven't filed for them yet.

You or your spouse had Medicare-covered government employment.

‍

If you're under 65, you can get premium-free Part A if:

You got Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board disability benefits for 24 months.

You have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and meet certain requirements.

Medicare Part B, also known as medical insurance, covers certain doctors’ services, outpatient care, medical supplies and preventive services. Medicare Parts A and B combined is also known as “Original Medicare.” All of the qualifications for Medicare Part B are the same as Medicare in general.
‍

Medicare B is your choice - and there may be times where you may not need to sign up right away. If you or your spouse is still working and you receive healthcare through an employer, it may be advantageous to keep that policy through your employer. There are special enrollment periods that apply that will allow you to enroll without a penalty.
‍

If you don’t sign up for Medicare Part B, you will be responsible for covering expenses such as certain doctors’ services, outpatient care, medical supplies and preventive services on your own.

Medicare Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage program, is meant for individuals that would prefer to get their benefits from private insurance companies rather than Original Medicare. A Medicare PFFS Plan is a type of Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) offered by a private insurance company. PFFS plans aren’t the same as Original Medicare or Medigap. The plan determines how much it will pay doctors, other health care providers, and hospitals, and how much you must pay when you get care.
‍

Eligibility for Part C requires that you be enrolled in both Medicare Parts A & B. Medicare Part A & B coverage must be maintained, in order to remain eligible for Part C coverage.

Medicare Part D, also known as prescription drug program, is meant for individuals that would prefer to get help covering the cost of prescription drugs (including many recommended shots or vaccines). Each plan that offers prescription drug coverage through Medicare Part D must give at least a standard level of coverage set by Medicare. Plans can vary the list of prescription drugs they cover (called a formulary) and how they place drugs into different "tiers" on their formularies.

Eligibility for Part D requires that you be enrolled in both Medicare Parts A & B. Medicare Part A & B coverage must be maintained, in order to remain eligible for Part D coverage.