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Medicare

Understanding Medicare

Medicare in plain language — what each part generally covers and why the terminology matters.

Start With the Structure

Medicare is a federal health insurance program organized into different parts. Each part serves a different purpose, and some Medicare coverage options are offered through private insurance companies approved by Medicare.

  • Part A generally helps cover inpatient hospital care and certain other services.
  • Part B generally helps cover doctor services, outpatient care, and certain preventive services.
  • Part C refers to Medicare Advantage plans offered by Medicare-approved private insurance companies.
  • Part D refers to prescription drug coverage offered through Medicare-approved private insurance companies.

Words You May Hear

Premium, deductible, coinsurance, network, and formulary are terms you may encounter in Medicare information. Understanding what these terms mean can make Medicare information easier to follow.

Start With What Matters to You

You don't need to memorize Medicare. Understanding the basic structure can help you ask better questions and better understand the information related to your own situation.

Have Medicare Questions?

Medicare can come with unfamiliar terms, important timelines, and decisions to consider. We provide general educational information to help you better understand Medicare and the questions to consider about your situation.