What is Medicare Part A?
Medicare Part A helps cover your inpatient care in hospitals, critical access hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities (not custodial or long-term care). It also helps cover hospice care and some home health care. You must meet certain conditions to get these benefits.
Cost: Most people don’t have to pay a monthly payment, called a premium, for Part A. This is because they or a spouse paid Medicare taxes while they were working. If you (or your spouse) didn’t pay Medicare taxes while you worked and you are age 65 or older, you may be able to buy Part A. If you aren’t sure if you have Part A, look on your red, white, and blue Medicare card. If you have Part A, “Hospital (Part A)” is printed on your card.

What is Medicare Part B?
Medicare Part B helps cover medical services like doctors’ services, outpatient care, and other medical services that Part A doesn’t cover. Part B is optional. Part B helps pay for covered medical services and items when they are medically necessary. Part B also covers some preventive services like exams, lab tests, and screening shots to help prevent, find, or manage a medical problem.
Cost: Most people will pay the standard monthly Part B premium of $164.90 in 2023. However, some people will pay a higher premium based on their modified adjusted gross income. If you file an individual tax return and your annual income is more than $97,000 (or if you are married and file a joint tax return and your annual income is more than $194,000), your monthly Medicare Part B premium may be higher than the standard 2023 monthly premium of $164.90. These amounts change each year. In some cases, your monthly premium amount may be higher if you didn’t sign up for Part B when you first became eligible.