You’re automatically enrolled in Original Medicare when you sign up for social security.
Medicare Part A pays for both an overnight stay in a hospital and up to 100 days in a skilled nursing facility following a hospital stay. Part A also pays for some home health care and hospice care.
Medicare Part B pays for doctor visits, hospital stays, lab tests, X‑rays, physical therapy, ambulance rides, emergency room visits, and certain drugs prescribed by a physician. It doesn’t cover dental care, eye exams, hearing aids, eyeglasses, or most long-term nursing facility costs.
Other parts of Medicare are run by private insurance companies that follow rules set by Medicare.
Supplemental (Medigap) policies help pay Medicare out-of-pocket copayments, coinsurance, and deductible expenses.
Medicare Advantage Plans include all benefits and services covered by Parts A and B plus vision, hearing, and dentistry bundled into one plan.
Medicare Part D (Medicare prescription drug coverage) helps cover the cost of prescription drugs.
How Do I Apply For Medicare?
If you are within three months of turning age 65 or older and not ready to start your monthly Social Security benefits yet, you can use our online retirement application to sign up just for Medicare and wait to apply for your retirement or spouses benefits later. It takes less than 10 minutes, and there are no forms to sign and usually no documentation is required.
Do I need to choose a primary care doctor?
No, in Original Medicare you don’t need to choose a primary care doctor.
What is Part A (Hospital Insurance)?
Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some home health care.
What is Part B (Medical Insurance)?
Part B covers certain doctors’ services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services.
Sources: medicare.gov