Know Your Medicare ABCs & Part D
Medicare is divided into ‘parts,’ covering different types of health benefits. These are commonly referred to as Medicare Part A, Part B, Part C, and Part D.
APart A is for Hospital Care
Part A helps cover inpatient hospitalization, care in skilled nursing facilities, hospice care and some home health care, usually for no monthly premium.
- You may still have to pay out-of-pocket costs for some services, including a deductible.
- Most people who have been employed automatically get Part A. Find out if you are eligible.
BPart B is for Doctor Visits
Part B helps cover medical services such as visits to a doctor’s office, durable medical equipment and outpatient care.
- You may have to pay a percentage of the cost for some services, in addition to your yearly deductible.
- You usually pay a monthly premium, based on your income, which is typically deducted directly from your Social Security check. Get details.
- If you’re going to continue to receive coverage through your employer past age 65, you may decide you do not want to take Part B. See your options.
CPart C is a Medicare Advantage Plan
For many people, Original Medicare doesn’t cover everything they want or need. A Medicare Advantage plan includes the benefits of Parts A and B, but can also offer extra benefits like dental and vision coverage.
- You must have Part A and Part B to enroll in C. See if you’re eligible.
- You usually pay a monthly premium to the health insurance company for a Part C plan, and continue to pay your Part B premium, which is deducted from your Social Security check each month.
- Medicare Advantage Plans are offered by private health insurance companies, like UVM Health Advantage. Explore these plans.
- Some even include Part D prescription drug coverage.
DPart D is for Prescription Drug Coverage
Part D is prescription drug coverage that includes many commonly used brand name and generic drugs. Original Medicare does not include any coverage for prescription drugs. You need to have Part A and Part B to be eligible for Part D.
- There are two ways you can get Medicare Part D:
- You enroll in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan that includes Part D coverage
- You enroll in a stand alone Part D plan
- There is generally a monthly premium based on income for Part D coverage
- Based on income, you may pay a Part D surcharge to Medicare, deducted from your Social Security check
- If you are low income or are on both Medicare and Medicaid, you may be eligible for extra help with Part D drug coverage. Get details.
Learn more about UVM Health Advantage prescription coverage
NOTE: If you don’t enroll in Part D when you first become eligible, or do not have coverage as good as Medicare’s, you may have to pay a penalty if you join at a later date. Get details.
Important to know!
Medicare allows you to be a member of only one Medicare Advantage plan at a time. If you join a Medicare Advantage plan and later choose a Part D drug plan from another insurance or pharmacy company, Medicare will:
- Enroll you in that drug plan for your Part D drug coverage,
- Automatically disenroll you out of your current Medicare Advantage plan, and
- Allow you to keep Medicare (Parts A and B) for your medical coverage for the remainder of the year, along with the other drug plan you chose.
Learn more about UVM Health Advantage Medicare plans:
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