Medicare Part D Plan Comparison - Find the RIGHT plan for you 

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. You can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, or visit your local Social Security office for more information about buying Part A. If you get benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), call your local RRB office or 1-800-808-0772.

Eligibility: To learn if you are eligible for Medicare, use the Medicare Eligibility Tool.

Also, see What Does Medicare Part A cover?

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: If you have Part B, you pay a Part B premium each month. Most people will pay the standard premium amount. Social Security will contact some people who have to pay more depending on their income. If you don't sign up for Part B when you are first eligible, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty.

For more information about enrolling in Medicare, look in your copy of the "Medicare & You" handbook, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, or visit your local Social Security office. If you get benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), call your local RRB office or 1-800-808-0772.

A Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO) is another Medicare health plan choice you may have as part of Medicare. Medicare Advantage Plans, sometimes called “Part C” or “MA Plans,” are offered by private companies approved by Medicare.

If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, the plan will provide all of your Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) coverage. Medicare Advantage Plans may offer extra coverage, such as vision, hearing, dental, and/or health and wellness programs. Most include Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D).

Medicare pays a fixed amount for your care every month to the companies offering Medicare Advantage Plans. These companies must follow rules set by Medicare. However, each Medicare Advantage Plan can charge different out-of-pocket costs and have different rules for how you get services (like whether you need a referral to see a specialist or if you have to go to only doctors, facilities, or suppliers that belong to the plan for non‑emergency or non-urgent care). These rules can change each year.

Medicare Part D is Prescription Drug Coverage. Since January 1, 2006, everyone with Medicare, regardless of income, health status, or prescription drug usage has had access to prescription drug coverage. For more information about this program, please visit: http://www.medicare.gov/part-d/index.html.

Check the answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Medicare Part D.
 

You may also call:
 

1-800-MEDICARE
(1-800-633-4227)
TTY: 1-877-486-2048 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!