Original Medicare

• Medicare Part A is hospital insurance, and helps cover inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and home health care.

• Medicare Part B, or Medical Insurance, helps cover services from doctors and other health care providers, outpatient care, home health care, durable medical equipment, and some preventive services.

Commonly asked questions:

1. How do you choose your providers?

   You have your choice of doctors, hospitals, and other providers that accept Medicare.
   
   

2. How much does it cost?

   In 2020, the standard Part B premium amount is $144.60 (or higher depending on your income).

   Generally, you pay a deductible and coinsurance for your Part A and Part B services. If you choose to buy a Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy, your Medigap policy may pay some of these costs
   
   

3. Who provides coverage?

   Medicare
   
   

4. What is Part D coverage?

   If you want drug coverage, you can join a separate Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D) To help pay your out-of-pocket costs in Original Medicare (like your 20% coinsurance), you can also shop for and buy supplemental coverage like a Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy.

   If you don't get Part D or a Medigap policy when you're first eligible, you may have to pay more to get this coverage later. For Part D, this could mean a lifetime premium penalty.