Medicare basics
Medicare basics, in plain English.
Medicare is made of parts. You don't need all of them, but it helps to know what each one does.
How the pieces fit
Two main ways to put it together.
Most people end up with one of these two setups.
Medicare
Option one
Original Medicare
Part A and Part B, run by the federal government.
Option two
Medicare Advantage
One plan from a private company.
Worth knowing: Medigap only works with Original Medicare. It can't be used to cover your costs in a Medicare Advantage plan.
The parts of Medicare
Five pieces, each with a job.
Hospital insurance
Helps cover inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care and home health care.
Medical insurance
Helps cover doctor's services, outpatient care, some home health services, medical equipment, mental health services and many preventive services.
Medicare Advantage
A Medicare-approved plan from a private company that you can choose instead of Original Medicare. It bundles Part A and Part B.
Drug coverage
Helps pay for prescription drugs. You get it through a separate Medicare drug plan, or through a Medicare Advantage plan that includes it.
Medicare Supplement
Insurance from a private company that helps pay some of the costs Original Medicare doesn't. It works alongside Original Medicare, and you need Part A and Part B to buy it.
Beyond the five parts
A few things people often ask about.
Original Medicare doesn't cover most routine dental care, eye exams for glasses, or hearing aids. Special Needs Plans serve people with specific needs.
The two-minute version
Medicare basics, in plain English.
Before we start
Let's make this simple.
Six short cards, about two minutes, no jargon.
Tap the arrow below to start →
The basics
What is Medicare Advantage?
A way to get your Medicare coverage through a private plan approved by Medicare, instead of directly through the government. What each plan includes varies, so the details are worth going through one at a time.
How it fits together
The pieces cover different things.
Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Part D each play a different role. Which combination makes sense depends on your prescriptions, doctors, and budget, not a one-size-fits-all answer.
Worth knowing
Three words that come up a lot.
Timing
Dates that matter.
Enrollment windows open at specific times each year. Missing one doesn't mean losing coverage, but it can mean waiting. Worth knowing before you need to act.
Your turn
Ready to see your own options?
Takes about five minutes, matched to your own situation.
Card 1 of 6
Words you'll hear
A short glossary.
Where to next
Pick what you need.
Sources: Medicare & You 2027 (official handbook) pp.10-11, 28, 32, 79, 81, 83. Rules can change; Medicare.gov has the latest.
Want help with the next step?
A Licensed Insurance Agent can walk you through your options, or you can start comparing plans on your own. There is no obligation to enroll.