Medicare basics

 Original Medicare

• You can choose Original Medicare (Parts A & B), which is provided by the federal government. 
• You contributed to Medicare by paying taxes. That's why you're eligible for Medicare Part A when you turn 65,
• Original Medicare doesn't pay for everything. You still pay a share of the cost in monthly premiums and co-pays.

Medicare Part A

• Medicare Part A insurance helps pay for "medically necessary" care (care for an illness or medical condition) that involves an inpatient stay in the hospital.
• Medicare Part A also helps pay for a stay in a skilled nursing facility as a follow-up to a hospital stay, hospice care for the terminally ill and some skilled home health care for the home-bound. 

Medicare Part B

• Medicare Part B insurance helps pay for a variety of medically necessary care - that is, care for an illness or medical condition. This includes services like doctor's office visits, care in hospitals and clinics when you are not admitted as an "inpatient stay," laboratory tests and some diagnostic screenings, and some skilled nursing care at home, if you're home-bound.
• Medicare Part B is making it easier to get preventative care. It now covers an annual wellness exam plus additional preventative screenings at no cost to you.