Coverage

You usually don’t pay a monthly premium for Medicare Part A coverage if you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes while working. This is sometimes called “premium-free Part A.” If you buy Part A, you will pay a premium each month.

Part B Covers 2 types of Services: Medically necessary services; services or supplies that are needed to diagnose or treat your medical condition and that meet accepted standards of medical practice.

Medicare Advantage, or Medicare Part C, is offered through private insurance companies that are approved and regulated by Medicare.

Medicare Part D covers prescription drugs, and is administrated through private insurance agencies approved by Medicare. Anyone with Medicare Parts A and B is eligible for Part D.

Medigap covers the “gaps” in insurance that Original Medicare does not cover, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. Some Medigap plans also cover things like medical care when traveling abroad.