Medicare

How do I sign up for Medicare?

If you're 65 or older, you're eligible for Medicare, which is our country's health insurance program for people who are 65 or older, or who have certain disabilities. There are four parts to Medicare: Part A, Part B, Part C, and Part D.

Part A is hospital insurance. It covers inpatient care in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, hospice, and home health care.

Part B is medical insurance. It covers outpatient care, preventive services, and some medical equipment and supplies.

Part C is Medicare Advantage. It's a way to get your Medicare benefits through a private health plan, like an HMO or PPO.

Part D is prescription drug coverage. It helps cover the cost of prescription drugs.

You can sign up for Medicare online, by phone, or in person.

If you're already getting benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board, you'll be automatically enrolled in Part A and Part B. You'll get your red, white, and blue Medicare card in the mail about 3 months before your 65th birthday. If you're not getting benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board, you can sign up for Medicare during the 7-month period that starts 3 months before the month you turn 65.

If you're under 65 and have a disability, you can sign up for Medicare during the 7-month period that starts 3 months before your 25th month of disability.

If you have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), you can sign up for Medicare as soon as you start getting disability benefits.

If you have end-stage renal disease (ESRD), you can sign up for Medicare as soon as you start getting dialysis or have a kidney transplant.

If you have ESRD and you're under 65, you can sign up for Medicare 3 months before you start getting dialysis or have a kidney transplant.

If you have ESRD and you're 65 or older, you can sign up for Medicare during the 7-month period that starts 3 months before the month you start getting dialysis or have a kidney transplant.

If you have a question about signing up for Medicare, call us at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048. We can answer your questions from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.

How much does Medicare cost?

Medicare is a federal health insurance program that is available to people who are 65 years of age or older, as well as to some younger people with disabilities. The program has four parts: Part A, which covers hospitalization; Part B, which covers outpatient care; Part C, which is an optional managed care plan; and Part D, which covers prescription drugs.

The cost of Medicare depends on which parts of the program you use and how much coverage you have. Part A is free for most people, but you may have to pay a premium for Part B. Part C and Part D plans are offered by private insurance companies and typically have monthly premiums.

If you have Original Medicare (Parts A and B), you will also need to pay deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance for some services. In 2020, the Part A deductible is $1,408, and the Part B deductible is $198. Coinsurance for Part A services is usually 20%, and coinsurance for Part B services is usually 50%.

If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C), your costs will vary depending on the plan you choose. Most Medicare Advantage Plans include Part A and Part B, and some also include Part D. You will pay the Medicare Advantage Plan premium, as well as any deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance required by the plan.

Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover long-term care, dental care, eyeglasses, or hearing aids. Some Medicare Advantage Plans offer coverage for some of these services. You can also purchase supplemental insurance policies to cover some of the costs not covered by Medicare.

In 2020, the average monthly premium for Medicare Part B is $144.60. The average monthly premium for a Medicare Advantage Plan is $33.90.

Medicare is an important part of the health care system in the United States, and the cost of the program is a significant concern for many people. If you are eligible for Medicare, it is important to understand the costs of the program and how they may affect your budget.

What is Medicare and what does it cover?

What is Medicare and what does it cover?

Medicare is a federal health insurance program that covers people 65 and older, as well as some younger people with disabilities. It also covers people with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).

Medicare has four parts:

Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and some home health care.

Part B covers doctor's visits, outpatient care, some preventive services, and some home health care.

Part C is also known as Medicare Advantage. It covers all of Part A and Part B, and usually Part D (prescription drug coverage) as well.

Part D covers prescription drugs.

You can get Medicare coverage through a Medicare Advantage Plan, or a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan.

What does Medicare cover?

Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and some home health care.

Medicare Part B covers doctor's visits, outpatient care, some preventive services, and some home health care.

Medicare Part C is also known as Medicare Advantage. It covers all of Part A and Part B, and usually Part D (prescription drug coverage) as well.

Medicare Part D covers prescription drugs.

You can get Medicare coverage through a Medicare Advantage Plan, or a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan.

What is Medicare Advantage?

Medicare Advantage is a way to get your Medicare coverage through a private insurance company. Medicare Advantage Plans must cover all of the services that Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) covers. Most Medicare Advantage Plans also include Part D (prescription drug coverage).

What is a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan?

A Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan is a private insurance plan that helps pay for some of the costs that Original Medicare doesn't cover. Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans don't have to cover all of the services that Original Medicare covers.

What is Part A?

Part A is hospital insurance. It covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and some home health care.

What is Part B?

Part B is medical insurance. It covers doctor's visits, outpatient care, some preventive services, and some home health care.

What is Part C?

Part C is also known as Medicare Advantage. It covers all of Part A and Part B, and usually Part D (prescription drug coverage) as well.

What is Part D?

Part D is prescription drug coverage. It covers the costs of prescription drugs.

You can get Medicare coverage through a Medicare Advantage Plan, or a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan.