Medicare Part A

Part A is provided by the federal government and is available at no cost if you or your spouse made payroll contributions to Social Security for at least 10 years.

Part A covers all or a portion of the costs for services such as:

• Inpatient hospital care
• Skilled nursing care
• Home health care
• Hospice care

Medicare Part B

Part B is provided by the federal government with a monthly premium based on your income.

Part B covers all or a portion of the costs for services such as:

• Doctor visits
• Some preventive care, like flu shots
• Lab services, X-rays, MRIs, CT scans and EKGs
• Some diagnostic screenings, like colorectal cancer and mammograms
• Emergency room services
• Outpatient mental health care

Medicare Part C

Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage, is offered by private insurers like Blue Cross NC. Medicare Advantage plans can be purchased to replace Original Medicare and generally offer more benefits and coverage than Original Medicare. Most also include prescription drug coverage. Medicare Advantage plans are built around a preferred network of doctors and hospitals, much like a group or individual plan you may have had prior to 65.

Medicare Part D

Part D is prescription drug coverage. Sometimes Part D is called a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (PDP). It is offered by private insurers. You would add a Part D plan if you choose Original Medicare or Medicare Supplement and need prescription drug coverage.  

Medicare Supplement

Medicare Supplement plans were created to cover some of the costs – or “gaps” – that Original Medicare does not cover. For this reason, you may sometimes see these plans referred to as “Medigap” coverage. Medicare Supplement plans are available from private insurers like Blue Cross NC. They are standardized by the Federal government and do not include drug coverage.