Your Essential Medicare Enrollment Guide for Maximum Benefits

Medicare is divided into several parts, each covering different aspects of healthcare:

- **Medicare Part A**: Often referred to as hospital insurance, Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some home health care. Most people don't pay a premium for Part A if they or their spouse have paid Medicare taxes for a certain period¹.

- **Medicare Part B**: This is medical insurance covering certain doctors' services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services. Part B comes with a standard monthly premium, which varies based on your income².

- **Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage)**: These are all-in-one plans offered by private companies that contract with Medicare to provide Part A and Part B benefits. Many Medicare Advantage Plans offer additional benefits like vision, hearing, and dental, which are not covered by Original Medicare³.

- **Medicare Part D**: This part provides prescription drug coverage through private insurance companies. Costs and coverage can vary depending on the plan you choose⁴.