Learn about The Four Parts of Medicare

There are four "parts" to your Medicare benefits, and they include Part A, Part B, Part C and Part D.

• Medicare "Part A" and "Part B" are often called “Original Medicare.”
• Medicare Advantage plans are often called Medicare “Part C” or “MA Plans.”
• Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage is often called “Part D.”

Part A (also called Original Medicare) is hospital coverage

Part A is managed by Medicare and provides Medicare benefits and coverage for:

• Inpatient hospital care
• Inpatient stays in most skilled nursing facilities
• Hospice and home health services

Part B (also called Original Medicare) is medical coverage

Part B is also managed by Medicare and provides Medicare benefits and coverage for:

• Doctor and clinical lab services
• Outpatient and preventive care 
• Screenings, surgical fees and supplies
• Physical and occupational therapy

Combined, Medicare Part A and Part B are sometimes also called “Original Medicare.”

Part C (also called Medicare Advantage) combines both Part A and B

Medicare Part C is a different way of getting Medicare Part A and Part B coverage. Medicare Advantage plans (called MA plans) combine Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance) together in one plan. They can also be combined with Part D prescription drug coverage called Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plans (MA-PD). Generally, these plans are offered as:

• Medicare Advantage Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO plans)
• Medicare Advantage Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO plans)
• Medicare Advantage Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS plans)

Part D is Prescription Drug Coverage

A Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) can be a stand-alone plan (not joined with other insurance), or they may be combined with a Medicare Advantage plan called a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plan (MA-PD).