A More Personalized Guide to Medicare
Medicare Part A: Hospital Insurance
What it Covers
Part A covers hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, and limited home health care.
Example
Sarah, who’s generally healthy but wants peace of mind for hospital expenses, finds Part A helpful. She only pays the deductible if she’s hospitalized but has no monthly premium (assuming she paid Medicare taxes long enough).
Medicare Part B: Medical Insurance
What it Covers
Part B includes outpatient care, doctor visits, preventive services, and home health services. It also covers necessary medical supplies like wheelchairs and walkers.
Example
John, who regularly sees his doctor for blood pressure checks and preventive screenings, benefits from Part B. It helps cover his visits, so he only pays 20% of the costs after meeting a deductible.
Medicare Part C: Medicare Advantage Plans
What it Covers
Medicare Advantage (Part C) is an alternative to Original Medicare (Parts A and B) that bundles hospital, medical, and often drug coverage (Part D). Plans can include additional benefits like dental, vision, and wellness programs
Example
Maria prefers the convenience of a single plan. She chooses a Medicare Advantage plan that covers her hospital stays, doctor visits, prescriptions, and dental care. While she’s limited to a network, her out-of-pocket costs are capped.
Medicare Part D: Prescription Drug Coverage
What it Covers
Part D covers prescription medications. You can add it to Original Medicare (Parts A and B) or get it as part of a Medicare Advantage plan
Example
Tom needs daily medications for diabetes. He adds Part D to his Original Medicare to reduce his medication costs, making his monthly drug outlay much more affordable.
Choosing the Right Combination
Personalized Scenarios
Low Healthcare Needs, Low Budget
Sarah is healthy and only sees the doctor for preventive visits. She opts for Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and skips Part D because she doesn’t take medications. This option is affordable and meets her basic needs.
Regular Doctor Visits, Multiple Medications
John has a few health conditions requiring regular visits and prescriptions. He chooses Parts A, B, and D. While paying separate premiums for Part B and Part D, this combination ensures his doctor visits and medications are covered.
Chronic Condition, Vision, and Dental Needs
Maria has a chronic condition, sees multiple specialists, and wants dental coverage. She selects a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) that includes hospital, doctor, drug coverage, and additional benefits. Although limited to a network, she benefits from having predictable costs.
