- Medicare is federal health insurance for people 65+ and some younger people with disabilities.
- Parts A and B are "Original Medicare." Part C (Medicare Advantage) and Part D (drugs) come from private plans.
- Original Medicare doesn't cover everything — routine dental, eyeglasses, hearing aids and long-term custodial care are not included.
Who can get Medicare?
- People who are 65 or older
- People under 65 with certain disabilities, usually after receiving Social Security Disability benefits for 24 months
- People of any age with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant) or ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease)
If you already receive Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits, you'll usually be signed up for Parts A and B automatically and receive your Medicare card in the mail about three months before your 65th birthday. Otherwise, you sign up through Social Security.
Part A — Hospital insurance
Part A helps pay for:
- Inpatient care in a hospital
- Skilled nursing facility care (not custodial or long-term care) after a qualifying hospital stay of at least 3 days
- Hospice care
- Some home health care
What it costs: Most people don't pay a monthly premium for Part A because they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes while working for about 10 years. In 2026 the Part A deductible is $1,736 for each benefit period.
Part B — Medical insurance
Part B helps pay for:
- Doctor visits and outpatient care
- Lab tests, X-rays and other diagnostic tests
- Durable medical equipment, like walkers, wheelchairs and oxygen
- Many preventive services, like flu shots, screenings and a yearly "Wellness" visit
- Ambulance services and some mental health care
What it costs: The standard Part B premium is $202.90 a month in 2026, and the yearly deductible is $283. After that you generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for most services — with no yearly limit under Original Medicare.
If you don't sign up for Part B when you're first eligible — and you don't have other qualifying coverage, such as from a current employer — you may pay a penalty of 10% for each full 12-month period you went without it, for as long as you have Part B.
Part C — Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. They include everything Parts A and B cover and usually prescription drug coverage too. Many offer extra benefits like dental, vision and hearing. They usually have a network of doctors and a yearly limit on out-of-pocket costs. Learn about Medicare Advantage →
Part D — Prescription drug coverage
Part D helps pay for prescription medicines. You can get it as a separate plan alongside Original Medicare or as part of a Medicare Advantage plan. In 2026, your out-of-pocket costs for covered drugs are capped at $2,100 for the year. Learn about prescription help →
What Medicare doesn't cover
- Long-term custodial care (help with daily activities like bathing and dressing)
- Most dental care and dentures
- Eye exams for glasses, and the glasses themselves
- Hearing aids and exams to fit them
- Care outside the U.S., with rare exceptions
Some of these may be covered by a Medicare Advantage plan's extra benefits, a Medigap policy (for foreign travel emergencies) or Medicaid.
Your two main choices
Original Medicare
Parts A & B from the government. Add a Medigap policy to help with costs, and a Part D plan for drugs. See any doctor who accepts Medicare.
Medicare Advantage
One private plan that bundles A, B and usually D. Often includes extras and has a yearly out-of-pocket limit, but usually uses a network.
