Do I need all the parts?

Most people want hospital, medical, and drug coverage — the question is whether to get them through Original Medicare plus add-ons or a single Advantage plan. We help you compare.

Your Initial Enrollment Period is the seven months around your 65th birthday. Missing it can mean penalties, so timing matters.

Will my doctors be covered?

With Original Medicare, most doctors who accept Medicare are covered. With Advantage plans, it depends on the plan's network.

Medicare

How Medicare Works

Medicare is federal health insurance for people 65 and older (and some younger people with disabilities). It comes in parts, and understanding what each part does makes the rest of the decisions far simpler.

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Most people combine these parts in one of two ways: Original Medicare (often with a Supplement and a drug plan), or a Medicare Advantage plan that bundles them together.

Part A — Hospital insurance

Covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing, hospice, and some home health care. Most people pay no premium for Part A if they or a spouse paid Medicare taxes long enough.

Part B — Medical insurance

Covers doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, and durable medical equipment. Part B has a monthly premium.

Part C — Medicare Advantage

A private, all-in-one alternative that bundles Parts A and B, usually with drug coverage and extra benefits like dental and vision. Networks and costs vary by plan and county.

Part D — Prescription drugs

Stand-alone coverage for prescription medications, which can be added to Original Medicare or built into a Medicare Advantage plan.

Frequently asked

Keep exploring

Medicare Advantage

Medicare Supplement

Prescription Drug Plans

Medicare Plan Review

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY: 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week, to get information on all of your options. Not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program.

Plan availability varies by area.