Medicare is the federal health insurance program that covers most people age 65 and older. Some younger people who are disabled or who have End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure) are also eligible for coverage. Medicare now offers four kinds of insurance:

Medicare Part A helps pay for hospital bills

When you sign up for Medicare, you automatically get Part A, which covers hospital bills. Most people do not have to pay a monthly cost (premium) for Part A, because they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes while they were working.

Part A covers inpatient hospital services (i.e., costs associated with an overnight stay in a hospital, skilled nursing facility, or psychiatric hospital, such as charges for the hospital room, meals, and nursing services). Part A also covers hospice care and home health care.

Medicare Part B helps pay for doctor bills

You chose whether to enroll in Part B or not. You pay a monthly premium for Part B.

Part B covers physician care – whether received as an inpatient at a hospital or at a doctor's office, or as an outpatient at a hospital or other health care facility – as well as laboratory tests, physical therapy or rehabilitation services, and ambulance service.

Medicare Part C adds more types of coverage

Medicare Part C programs are in addition to the fee-for-service options available under Medicare Parts A and B. Private health care plans may offer Medicare benefits that include medical savings accounts, managed care plans and private fee-for-service plans.

Prescription drug insurance, called Medicare Part D, helps pay for prescribed medications.

Anyone who is eligible for Medicare is also eligible for Part D. As with Parts B and C, you have the choice to enroll or not, and you will pay a monthly premium.

For more information, visit www.medicare.gov .

Neither Great American Senior Benefits nor its agents are connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program.