Southern Senior Care Blog

This is a very common question and a source for considerable confusion. First, lets take a look at a sample Medicare Card below. You will notice your Name and Medicare number. Your medicare number is usually your Social Security number followed by the letter “A.” If your’s is not the letter A, don’t worry, there are about 30 different codes. Next on your card you will see Part A and a date. If you are paying for Part B, you will see Part B and a date listed as well. Let’s discuss Parts A and B first, then we’ll go on to Parts C and D.

Part A - Hospital - You automatically get Part A when you turn 65 if you have worked and paid into Medicare for at least 40 quarters. This coverage will pay 100% of Medicare approved costs when you are admitted into a hospital, AFTER you pay the per hospital visit deductible of $1,024 (this is the 2008 deductible).

Part B - Medical - This part is optional. You will have to pay for it usually as a deduction from your social security check. The cost for most people is $96.40 per month.  If you make more than $85,000 as an individual or $170,000 as a couple, your monthly premiums will be higher. Part B pays 80% of your doctor, outpatient and other Non-Hospital costs, AFTER you pay an annual Part B deductible of $135.

Note: Do not get “PART A” and “PART B” confused with “PLAN A” and “PLAN B” which are Medicare Supplement plans. There are 14 Medicare Supplement “Plans” which are lettered Plan A - Plan L.

There are two more “Parts” to Medicare - Part C and Part D

Part C - Medicare Advantage - You have probably heard the term Medicare Advantage Plan by now. These insurance plans are also called Private Medicare and there are quite a few different flavors including, MA, MAPD, HMO, PPO, PFFS. I’m not going to get into each type now. The most important thing to know about Part C plans is this. They are NOT the same as original Medicare. They are NOT the same as a Medicare Supplement. Click Here for a detailed description of the differences between Medicare Supplements and Medicare Advantage Plans.

Part D - Prescription Drug Plan - Part D plans are optional, like Medicare Supplement Plans. Part D pays for some of your prescription drug costs throughout the year. Part D plans run about $30 per month. You generally keep your Part D plan from January 1 - through December 31st of each year. You can change Part D plan each year between November 15th and December 31st. The new plan will go into effect on January 1st. Click Here for detailed information on Prescription Drug Plans