Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some home health care.
You generally won’t have to pay a monthly premium for Medicare Part A if you or your spouse paid Medicare payroll taxes for 40 quarters or more.
Part B covers certain doctors’ services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services.
You cannot be denied Part B coverage. You may go to any doctor or qualified health care provider in the United States who participates in the Medicare program and is accepting Medicare patients.
Helps cover the cost of prescription drugs (including many recommended shots or vaccines)
You can get drug coverage with a standalone Part D plan or as part of a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C). Some plans have pharmacy networks and mail order pharmacies that offer discounted prices.
Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some home health care.
You generally won’t have to pay a monthly premium for Medicare Part A if you or your spouse paid Medicare payroll taxes for 40 quarters or more.
Part B covers certain doctors’ services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services.
You cannot be denied Part B coverage. You may go to any doctor or qualified health care provider in the United States who participates in the Medicare program and is accepting Medicare patients.
Medicare Advantage (Part C) is another way to get your Medicare benefits.
There are different types of Part C plans. Some plans have provider networks you need to use. Plans are offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare.
Helps cover the cost of prescription drugs (including many recommended shots or vaccines)
You can get drug coverage with a standalone Part D plan or as part of a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C). Some plans have pharmacy networks and mail order pharmacies that offer discounted prices.
U.S. citizens and legal residents
Legal residents must live in the U.S. for at least 5 years in a row, including the 5 years just before applying for Medicare.
You must also meet one of the following requirements:
You should be automatically enrolled if you are receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits when you become eligible. You’ll receive your Medicare card in the mail.If you’re not receiving benefits, you need to sign up for Medicare when you become eligible.
Go to SSA.gov/Medicare to enroll online, or call or visit your local Social Security office.
Original Medicare (Parts A & B) is provided by the federal government. It helps pay for hospital stays and doctor visits, but it doesn’t cover everything.
You may add coverage by enrolling in one or more private Medicare or Medicare-related plans.
• Medicare supplement insurance plans (Medigap) help pay some of the out-of -pocket costs that come with Original Medicare.
• Medicare prescription drug plans (Part D) help pay for prescription medications. Original Medicare does not cover prescription drugs.
• Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) offer an alternative to Original Medicare. Plans combine Part A and Part B coverage in one plan. They often include prescription drug coverage, too. Some plans offer additional benefits like coverage for routine vision and dental care.
Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some home health care.
You generally won’t have to pay a monthly premium for Medicare Part A if you or your spouse paid Medicare payroll taxes for 40 quarters or more.
Part B covers certain doctors’ services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services.
You cannot be denied Part B coverage. You may go to any doctor or qualified health care provider in the United States who participates in the Medicare program and is accepting Medicare patients.
Helps cover the cost of prescription drugs (including many recommended shots or vaccines)
You can get drug coverage with a standalone Part D plan or as part of a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C). Some plans have pharmacy networks and mail order pharmacies that offer discounted prices.
Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some home health care.
You generally won’t have to pay a monthly premium for Medicare Part A if you or your spouse paid Medicare payroll taxes for 40 quarters or more.
Part B covers certain doctors’ services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services.
You cannot be denied Part B coverage. You may go to any doctor or qualified health care provider in the United States who participates in the Medicare program and is accepting Medicare patients.
Medicare Advantage (Part C) is another way to get your Medicare benefits.
There are different types of Part C plans. Some plans have provider networks you need to use. Plans are offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare.
Helps cover the cost of prescription drugs (including many recommended shots or vaccines)
You can get drug coverage with a standalone Part D plan or as part of a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C). Some plans have pharmacy networks and mail order pharmacies that offer discounted prices.
U.S. citizens and legal residents
Legal residents must live in the U.S. for at least 5 years in a row, including the 5 years just before applying for Medicare.
You must also meet one of the following requirements:
You should be automatically enrolled if you are receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits when you become eligible. You’ll receive your Medicare card in the mail.If you’re not receiving benefits, you need to sign up for Medicare when you become eligible.
Go to SSA.gov/Medicare to enroll online, or call or visit your local Social Security office.
Original Medicare (Parts A & B) is provided by the federal government. It helps pay for hospital stays and doctor visits, but it doesn’t cover everything.
You may add coverage by enrolling in one or more private Medicare or Medicare-related plans.
• Medicare supplement insurance plans (Medigap) help pay some of the out-of -pocket costs that come with Original Medicare.
• Medicare prescription drug plans (Part D) help pay for prescription medications. Original Medicare does not cover prescription drugs.
• Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) offer an alternative to Original Medicare. Plans combine Part A and Part B coverage in one plan. They often include prescription drug coverage, too. Some plans offer additional benefits like coverage for routine vision and dental care.
