Different Parts of Medicare Cover Different Services
The parts of Medicare are:
Part A - Hospital Coverage
- Helps cover inpatient hospital care.
- Helps cover care in a skilled nursing facility or hospice.
- Also helps cover home health care.
Part B - Medical Coverage
- Helps cover doctor and outpatient services.
- Helps cover preventive services to maintain health or keep illnesses from getting worse.
- Those who have Part B coverage pay a monthly premium directly to the government unless it is paid for you by Medicaid or a third party
Part C - Medicare Advantage
- An alternative to the Original Medicare insurance program and administered by the federal government, Part C gives you the option to enroll in a Medicare Advantage health plan offered by private companies such as WellCare.
- Private companies that offer Medicare Advantage plans are approved by Medicare to provide and administer benefits for their members.
- Part C plans cover the same services as Part A and Part B, but may also offer additional benefits not covered by Original Medicare.
- Members of Medicare Advantage plans must continue to pay their Part B premium
Part D - Prescription Drug Coverage
- Helps cover the cost of prescription drugs.
- Offered by private companies like WellCare (may require a monthly premium).
- May be a stand-alone Prescription Drug Plan, or may be included with a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C).
When It Comes to Coverage, You Have Options:
- You can get health services through Original Medicare and select a private Prescription Drug Plan, like one of WellCare's Prescription Drug Plans.
- You can get both your health services and prescription drug coverage through a Medicare Advantage plan that offers both.
- You can purchase a Medicare Supplement plan from private insurance companies to cover the gaps in Original Medicare. If your Medicare Supplement does not cover prescription drugs, you can also enroll in a Prescription Drug Plan.
