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5 min read

Medicare Parts A, B, C and D, explained

What each “part” of Medicare covers, in plain English.

The short version

Medicare is federal health insurance for people 65 and older, and for some younger people with certain disabilities. It is organized into “parts.” Each part covers a different kind of care.

Part A — Hospital insurance

Part A helps pay for inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility after a hospital stay, hospice, and some home health care. Most people pay no monthly premium for Part A because they or a spouse paid Medicare taxes while working.

Part B — Medical insurance

Part B helps pay for doctor visits, outpatient care, lab tests, preventive screenings, and medical equipment like walkers. Part B has a monthly premium, and you usually pay 20% of the cost of covered services after a yearly deductible.

Part C — Medicare Advantage

Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. They replace how you receive Parts A and B, and most also include Part D drug coverage. Many plans use a network of doctors and hospitals and may include extra benefits.

Part D — Prescription drug coverage

Part D helps pay for prescription medicines. It is offered by private companies, either as a stand-alone plan (used with Original Medicare) or built into a Medicare Advantage plan.

What about Medicare Supplement (Medigap)?

A Medicare Supplement plan is private insurance that works alongside Original Medicare (Parts A and B) to help pay some of the costs Medicare does not, such as the 20% you would otherwise pay under Part B. Supplement plans do not include drug coverage, so people usually pair them with a Part D plan.

This guide is general education, not advice about a specific plan. Rules and amounts can change each year.

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