UNDERSTANDING the ABCD's Medicare
Assessing health care options for yourself or a loved one is no easy task, and this is especially true for choosing a Medicare plan.
The government-run health care program covers a lot of great services for people 65-plus or those with certain disabilities, but how is coverage determined? That’s where the different “parts” of Medicare come into play.
Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D are the individual categories of the program’s coverage, and enrolling in them is an important decision given services and costs can vary widely. Together, Parts A and B make up what’s called Original Medicare, while Part C is referred to as Medicare Advantage. Simply put, a Medicare Advantage plan can be thought of as an enhanced alternative to Original Medicare because it provides more comprehensive coverage.
By understanding the differences between each part, Original Medicare, and Medicare Advantage, you can ensure you’re choosing the right plan for you or a loved one and ultimately avoid unnecessary out-of-pocket costs.