Medicare Parts A, B, C and D Explained: What Each Part Covers
Learning goal: Know what Medicare Part A, Part B, Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Part D each cover, and the two main ways to get your Medicare.
Short answer
Part A is hospital insurance: inpatient care, skilled nursing facility care, hospice and some home health care. Part B is medical insurance: doctors, outpatient care, equipment and many preventive services. Part D covers prescription drugs through private plans. Part C, Medicare Advantage, is a private plan that bundles A, B and usually D.
Read to the end to complete this lesson.
On this page
The Fuller Picture
There are two main ways to get Medicare. Original Medicare (Parts A and B) lets you use any doctor or hospital that takes Medicare; you can add a Part D drug plan and a Medigap policy for out-of-pocket costs. Medicare Advantage replaces Original Medicare with a private plan, often with a network, prior authorization and extra benefits like dental or vision.
Key Takeaways
- Medicare.gov: "Part A helps cover inpatient care in hospitals, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and home health care."
- Part B covers doctors' services, durable medical equipment and many preventive services.
- Part D helps cover the cost of prescription drugs, through private plans that follow Medicare's rules.
- Medicare Advantage plans include Part A, Part B and usually Part D.
- Medigap policies are standardized and, in most states, named by letters, like Plan G.
Real-World Example
Linda
Linda turns 65 next spring. She learns that Part A will cover a hospital stay, Part B her doctor visits and lab tests, and that neither covers most prescriptions, so she needs a Part D plan or a Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage. She then compares Original Medicare plus Medigap and Part D with a Medicare Advantage plan.
Common Mistakes
- Assuming Part A covers doctor visits.
- Thinking Medicare covers prescriptions without Part D or a plan that includes it.
- Confusing Medicare (federal, by age or disability) with Medicaid (based on income).
- Not knowing Medicare Advantage replaces, not adds to, Original Medicare.
Interactive Exercise
Map Your Medicare
Write down which part would pay for the care you use.
Tick each step as you do it. Your checklist is saved in this browser.
Knowledge Check
Question: Which part of Medicare mainly covers doctor visits and outpatient care?
Recommended Insurpedia Tools
- Insurance Preparedness Checklist: Twelve insurance questions worth having an answer to, with a place to learn more about each one you have not looked at yet. No score.
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Questions to explore next
Questions readers often ask next about this topic:
- Which parts of Medicare do I need?
- Does Medicare cover my prescriptions?
- What's the difference between Medicare and Medicaid?
- Should I choose Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage?
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The factual claims on this page were checked against these sources. Rules and figures change, so check the source itself if you need to confirm the current version.
- medicare.govParts of Medicare · Medicare.gov (U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services)
Educational information, not advice: This lesson is for general education only, not legal, financial, or insurance advice. Actual coverage, discounts, and requirements depend on your policy’s wording, your insurer, and the laws of your state. Confirm specifics with your own insurer or a licensed agent before making a decision. Insurpedia does not sell insurance and does not recommend specific insurers. Rules and 2026 figures are from Medicare.gov. Figures change each year, and your situation may differ. For personal help, contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) or Social Security. Educational information, not advice.