Is Medicare Part A or B Better?

January 07, 2025•3 min read

Understanding Medicare Parts A and B

When it comes to Medicare, getting to know the ins and outs of parts A and B is crucial. Original Medicare, made up of Part A and Part B, provides essential coverage to millions of Americans. But what exactly do these parts cover?

Medicare Part A: Primarily covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and some home health care. If you've paid Medicare taxes while working, you might not pay a premium for Part A.
Medicare Part B: Handles outpatient care, doctor services, preventive services, and some home health visits. You'll typically pay a premium for Part B.

What Does Medicare Part A Cover?

Medicare Part A is often seen as the hospital insurance part of Medicare. It covers:

Inpatient hospital care
Hospice care
Limited home health care
Skilled nursing facility care

Remember, Part A does not cover long-term care or custodial care. It's essential to know what Part A covers to avoid unexpected costs.

What Does Medicare Part B Cover?

Medicare Part B is all about outpatient and preventive care. This part of Medicare covers:

Doctor visits
Outpatient care
Preventive services
Some home health care services

Medicare Part B covers outpatient procedures that Part A does not, making it a vital part of your health coverage.

The Difference Between Medicare Part A and Part B

The critical difference between Medicare Part A and Part B lies in the type of services they cover. While Part A is focused on inpatient services, Part B covers outpatient care and preventive services. Knowing these differences can help you determine which parts of Medicare best suit your healthcare needs.

Medicare Part C: An Alternative to Original Medicare

Medicare Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage, offers an alternative to Original Medicare. These plans are provided by private insurance companies and often include additional benefits such as:

Prescription drug coverage
Vision, dental, and hearing services
Wellness programs

Medicare Advantage Plans can be a good choice if you're looking for extra benefits beyond what parts A and B cover.

Prescription Drug Coverage: Medicare Part D

Medicare Part D covers prescription drugs and is available as a standalone plan or part of a Medicare Advantage Plan. With Part D, you can get help paying for your medications, which Medicare parts A and B do not cover.

How to Enroll in Medicare Parts A and B

Enrolling in Medicare parts A and B is a crucial step in securing your healthcare coverage. You can sign up for Medicare when you turn 65 or during certain enrollment periods. Here's how:

Initial Enrollment Period: Begins three months before your 65th birthday and lasts for seven months.
General Enrollment Period: Runs from January 1 to March 31 every year for those who missed their initial enrollment.
Special Enrollment Period: Available for those with special circumstances, such as losing employer coverage.

To sign up for Medicare, visit the official Medicare website or contact your local Medicare office for assistance.

Part B Enrollment and What It Covers

Once you are enrolled in Medicare Part B, you'll have access to essential medical services that Medicare covers, including:

Doctor visits and outpatient care
Lab tests and screenings
Preventive services like flu shots and cancer screenings

Keep in mind that Medicare Part B often requires paying a premium, deductible, and coinsurance, which vary each year.

Why Consider a Medicare Supplement or Advantage Plan?

While Original Medicare covers a lot, it doesn't pay for everything. Medicare Supplement plans, also known as Medigap, can help cover costs like:

Deductibles
Copayments
Coinsurance

Alternatively, Medicare Advantage Plans can offer additional benefits not covered by Original Medicare, making them a popular choice for many beneficiaries.