MEDICARE

Medicare is the federal health insurance program for:
 

• People who are 65 or older
   

• Certain younger people with disabilities
   

• People with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant, sometimes called ESRD)

Different parts of Medicare help cover specific services:
 

• Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance)
   

• Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some home health care.
   

• Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance)
   

• Part B covers certain doctors' services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services.
   

• Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage)       

An alternative to Original Medicare and Medicare supplement insurance is Medicare Part C, or Medicare Advantage. These Medicare-approved health plans are run by private insurance companies and provide benefits for hospital, doctor, and other health care provider services covered under Original Medicare Parts A and B as well as supplemental benefits that vary by planHelps cover the cost of prescription drugs (including many recommended shots or vaccines).