The Four Parts of Medicare Explained
Each part of Medicare covers different services as explained below:
Part A Covers Inpatient Hospital Services.
Part B Covers Outpatient Medical Services.
Part C Is A Medicare Advantage Plan Offered By Private Companies Approved By Medicare, And Cover Part A And Part B Services.
Part D Provides Prescription Drug Coverage To Lower The Cost You Pay For Medications.
Different Parts Of Medicare Explained
When Does Medicare Coverage Start?
Medicare coverage may start the first day of the month you turn 65. For example, if your birthday is 10/10/1948, your Medicare will start 10/01/2013. However, if your birthday is on the first of the month, your Medicare will start a month before your birth month on the first. For instance, if your birthday is 10/01/1948, then your Medicare will start 09/01/2013.
You may have a different Medicare start date if you delay Medicare coverage. Learn when you can sign up for Medicare.
How Do I Pay For Medicare?
Discover the easy way to pay your Medicare premiums. Medicare Easy Pay is a free, electronic payment option. It automatically deducts your Medicare premium from your bank account each month. In other words, it automatically pays your Medicare premiums every month and removes the burden of you paying it yourself.
What Is Medicare Coinsurance?
Coinsurance is your share of insurance costs after you pay the deductible. For Medicare Parts A and B, your coinsurance cost is 20%. If you receive inpatient mental health services, you pay 20% coinsurance. In addition, hospital copays are due after 60 days.
Hospital Copays In 2024
First 60 days, your copay is $0
Days 61 – 90, your copay is $408/day
Days 91+, your copay is $816/day
What Is A Medicare Deductible?
Medicare deductible is an amount of money that you are required to pay before your insurance plan will pay anything towards your bills.
Deductible Examples
Medicare Part A has a $1,632 deductible when you go to the hospital in 2024. This means you pay the first $1,632 before Medicare Part A pays.
Medicare Part B has an annual deductible of $240 in 2024. You must pay the first $240 of your medical and doctor bills before Medicare pays.
Common Questions About Medicare Parts Explained
What Is My Medicare Claim Number?
Your Medicare Claim Number used to be your social security with a letter after it. However, your social security number on Medicare cards were replaced with a new Medicare Number to prevent identify theft and taxpayer fraud.
Each new Medicare Number is unique to each beneficiary, has 11 characters, and composed of numbers and uppercase letters. It excludes the letters (S, L, O, I, B, Z) which could be interpreted as numbers.
Is Medicare Free?
If you paid Social Security Tax for at least 40 quarters (10 years) and your net earnings equaled the yearly maximum of 4 credits, you pay no Medicare Part A premiums.
However, Medicare Part B has a premium based on your income from the prior two years. The standard Part B premium is $174.70 in 2024.
What Is Not Covered By Medicare Part A And Part B?
The following is not covered by Medicare Part A and Part B: Long-term care, Routine dental or eye exams for glasses, dentures, cosmetic surgery, hearing aids/ exams, massage therapy, and routine physical exams.
Still have questions relating to “What are Medicare parts?” Senior Healthcare Direct can help you shop for the right Medicare plan. Speak with a licensed agent at 1-833-463-3262.