Medicare FAQs
Medicare coverage can be confusing. When people look into coverage, a few common questions come up pertaining to how Medicare works and what each part of coverage provides. At Professor Medicare, we’re here to help you sort through all parts of your Medicare coverage and ensure your coverage meets your healthcare needs.
FAQs
How Does Medicare Work?
Generally, you only need to sign up for Original Medicare, Part A and Part B, coverage once. Each year, if eligible, you can choose which way you want to receive your health coverage, and you can switch coverage, if applicable.
You have two options for setting up your Original Medicare coverage:
- Sign up for Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). You can sign up at certain times. Check when and how to sign up.
- Choose which way you want to get your Medicare health coverage. You can choose either Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage (Part C) for your health coverage. If you choose Original Medicare, you’ll also need to decide if you want drug coverage (Part D) and supplemental coverage, such as Medigap.
Original Medicare, Part A and Part B, allows you to:
- Go to any doctor or hospital that takes Medicare anywhere in the United States.
- Find providers that work with Medicare.
- Join a separate Medicare drug plan (Part D) to get drug coverage.
- Buy a Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy to help lower your share of costs for services you get.
You will have Original Medicare unless you sign up for a Medicare Advantage Plan. Medicare Advantage bundles Part A, Part B and Part D (drug coverage). An Advantage Plan may offer additional benefits such as vision, hearing and dental.
What Does Medicare Part A Cover?
Part A coverage, also known as hospital insurance, covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care and some home health care.
What Does Medicare Part B Cover?
Part B, also known as medical insurance, covers certain doctors’ visits, outpatient care, medical supplies and preventive services.
What Does Medicare Part C Cover?
Medicare Part C is more commonly known as a Medicare Advantage Plan. Medicare Advantage bundles Part A, Part B and Part D (drug coverage). An Advantage Plan may offer additional benefits such as vision, hearing and dental.
What Does Medicare Part D Cover?
Medicare Part D, also known as drug coverage, helps pay for prescription drugs. Even if you don’t take prescription drugs now, you may need to in the future, so you’ll need coverage. You must have Part A and Part B coverage to have Part D coverage.
Get Started with Coverage
At Professor Medicare, we’re here to help you navigate your Medicare coverage options. If you have further questions or want to get started with coverage, reach out to an agent today.