Original Medicare is a federal health insurance program in the United States that provides health coverage to certain groups of individuals. It was established in 1965 and is primarily aimed at:

Individuals aged 65 and older: Medicare provides health insurance to seniors, ensuring they have access to essential medical services and treatments.

Certain younger individuals with disabilities: People under 65 who have been receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for at least 24 months or have certain qualifying conditions may also be eligible for Medicare.

Medicare is divided into several parts:

1. Medicare Part A:
   • Medicare Part A, often referred to as “Hospital Insurance,” covers inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facility care (under specific conditions), hospice services, and some limited home health care.
   • Most people do not have to pay a premium for Part A if they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes while working (usually for at least 10 years).
   • Beneficiaries may be responsible for deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance for certain services covered under Part A.
2. Medicare Part B:
   • Medicare Part B, also known as “Medical Insurance,” covers outpatient medical services and supplies that are medically necessary to diagnose or treat a health condition.
   • Part B includes coverage for doctor visits, preventive services, lab tests, durable medical equipment, outpatient mental health services, and some home health care services.
   • Beneficiaries are required to pay a monthly premium for Part B. The premium amount is based on their income and may be deducted from their Social Security benefits.
   • Like Part A, Part B also involves cost-sharing through deductibles and coinsurance or copayment for certain services.
3. Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage):
   • Medicare Part C, known as “Medicare Advantage,” provides an alternative way to receive Medicare benefits through private insurance companies approved by Medicare.
   • Medicare Advantage plans must cover all the services offered by Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), and many plans also include additional benefits like prescription drug coverage (Part D), vision, dental, and hearing services.
   • Some Medicare Advantage plans may have different rules and cost-sharing requirements than Original Medicare.
   • Beneficiaries need to be enrolled in both Part A and Part B to join a Medicare Advantage plan and continue paying their Part B premium.
4. Medicare Part D:
   • Medicare Part D is a prescription drug coverage program offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare.
   • Part D plans help beneficiaries with the cost of prescription drugs, reducing the financial burden of necessary medications.
   • These plans vary in the medications they cover, the costs they charge (premiums, deductibles, and copayments), and the pharmacies they work with.
   • Beneficiaries can either enroll in a standalone Part D plan (to accompany Original Medicare and sometimes a Medigap plan) or choose a Medicare Advantage plan that includes Part D coverage.
5. Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap):
   • Medigap plans are private insurance policies designed to supplement Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) by covering some of the out-of-pocket expenses, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.
   • There are several standardized Medigap plans, each offering a different combination of benefits, but the coverage is the same across insurance companies for a particular plan type.