“Traditional Medicare” includes Medicare Part A and Part B, which are managed by the Federal Government. 

• Medicare Part A is often called hospital insurance, and generally covers inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facilities, hospice, and home health services.

• Medicare Part B covers medically necessary services, including doctor visits, lab tests, and surgeries, as well as preventative services.

Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) is managed by private insurance companies, and is an alternate to Parts A and B.  Part C is required by law to provide at least the same coverage as Medicare Parts A and B, but also offers additional benefits that vary by plan. Some Medicare Advantage Plans also include prescription drug coverage (Part D).

Medicare Part D helps cover the cost of prescription drugs, and is also offered by private insurance companies. These plans add prescription coverage to Original Medicare, and can also be combined with any Medicare Advantage plans that don’t already include Part D.

Medicare Supplemental Insurance (Medigap) is also sold by private insurance companies.  These plans can offset some of the health costs that Medicare alone doesn’t cover, including copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.