Medicare 101
What are the different parts of Medicare?
Understanding the different parts of Medicare is key to understanding your options.
Original Medicare
Original Medicare is only Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance).
This is what you receive from the government when you turn 65. You must opt in for Medicare Part B.
Part A (Hospital Insurance)
- 100% coverage of hospital charges for days 1-60 of an inpatient hospital stay, after you pay the Part A deductible.
- Helps cover things like hospital stays (does not include all provider services/charges OR services/charges in a hospital setting), skilled nursing facilities, and certain types of medical care provided in your home.
- In most cases, you won't pay a monthly premium for Part A if you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes for a certain amount of time while working.
Part B (Medical Insurance)
- 80% coverage, after you pay the Part B deductible.
- Helps cover things like outpatient surgery, doctor office visits, physician services, and lab tests.
- The standard Part B premium amount is $174.70 (or higher depending on your income).
Part C (Medicare Advantage, also known as MA)
Medicare Part C combines Part A and Part B. Medicare Advantage plans like Viva Medicare give you more benefits and may be less expensive than Parts A and B alone.
Medicare Advantage plans are managed by private insurance companies and must be approved by Medicare. These plans must have at least the same coverage as Medicare, but they usually cover more and may even include coverage for services such as fitness benefits, dental, or worldwide emergency coverage.
You must have both Medicare Part A and Part B to be eligible for Part C (a Medicare Advantage plan).
Most Medicare Advantage plans include Part D prescription drug coverage.
Part D (Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage)
Medicare Part D provides prescription drug coverage. Viva Medicare offers several Medicare Advantage plans that include Part D prescription drug coverage.
Viva Medicare also offers 90-day fills on most drugs as well as a pharmacy mail-order service where most prescriptions can be automatically refilled and delivered right to your door.
Medicare 101
When can you enroll?
Medicare 101
Original Medicare vs Viva Medicare
Medicare 101