Medicare is health insurance for people:

• age 65 or older,
• under age 65 with certain disabilities, and
• any age with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant).

Medicare has:

Part A (Hospital)– Most people automatically get Part A coverage without having to pay a monthly premium because they, or their spouses, paid Medicare taxes while working.

Part B (Medical)– Most people pay a monthly premium for Part B.

Part C (Medicare Advantage Plans like HMOs and PPOs)– Plans include Part A (Hospital) and Part B (Medical) coverage. Most also include Medicare prescription drug coverage. You pay a monthly premium for your health and prescription drug coverage. Some plans don’t charge a premium.

Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage)– Most people pay a monthly premium for this coverage.