Program Basics
Medicare
Quick answer
Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people age 65 and older, some younger people with disabilities, and people with End-Stage Renal Disease. It has four parts — A, B, C, and D — that together cover hospital, medical, plan-based, and prescription drug care.
Plain-English definition
Medicare is run by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Most people get Part A premium-free based on payroll taxes they or a spouse paid while working, and pay a monthly premium for Part B.
Why it matters
Understanding the four parts and how they fit together is the foundation for every other Medicare decision you make.
A simple example
At 65 you enroll in Part A and Part B (Original Medicare), then choose either a Medigap + Part D combination or a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan that bundles benefits.
Common mistakes & misconceptions
- Assuming Medicare covers everything — there are deductibles, coinsurance, and things it never covers.
- Confusing Medicare with Medicaid — they are separate programs.
Related terms
Original Medicare
Original Medicare is the traditional fee-for-service program run directly by the federal government. It includes Part A (hospital) and Part B (medical) and lets you use any provider in the U.S. that accepts Medicare.
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
Medicare Advantage, also called Part C, is a way to receive your Medicare benefits through a private insurance plan approved by Medicare. Plans bundle Part A and Part B, usually include Part D drug coverage, and often add dental, vision, and hearing.
Medicare Part A
Medicare Part A is hospital insurance. It covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care after a qualifying stay, home health care, and hospice. Most people get Part A premium-free at 65.
Medicare Part B
Medicare Part B is the medical insurance half of Original Medicare. It covers doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive screenings, mental health services, and durable medical equipment.
Part C
Part C is another name for Medicare Advantage — the private-plan alternative to Original Medicare that bundles Part A, Part B, and usually Part D.
Medicare Part D
Medicare Part D is prescription drug coverage sold by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. You get it either as a stand-alone drug plan (PDP) with Original Medicare or bundled inside most Medicare Advantage plans.
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible for Medicare?+
People age 65+, certain younger people with disabilities receiving SSDI for 24 months, and people with ESRD or ALS.
People also ask
Is Medicare free?
Part A is premium-free for most people. Part B, Part C, and Part D usually have monthly premiums.
Sources & references
📚 Where this information comes from
- Medicare.gov — official U.S. government site for people with Medicare ↗Primary source for benefits, enrollment periods, and plan comparison.
- CMS.gov — Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ↗Federal rulemaking, program updates, and official guidance.
- Social Security Administration — Medicare enrollment & premiums ↗Enrollment, premium withholding, and IRMAA determinations.
When you're ready, compare plans on your own terms
See Medicare Advantage plans from the insurance companies we represent, or walk the course with a licensed agent whenever you'd like a second set of eyes.
We help compare Medicare Advantage plans from the insurance companies we represent, and we don't offer every plan available in your area.
Medicare Caddies is an independent insurance agency. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the U.S. government, the federal Medicare program, or the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). We help compare Medicare Advantage plans from the insurance companies we represent, and we don't offer every plan available in your area.