MEDICARE

Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and home health care.  For Part A, you typically don’t pay a premium, and you will be automatically signed up in most cases. However, Medicare does not cover everything, and it does not cover the total cost for many of the medical supplies or covered services.

Part B covers certain doctor's services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services  (i.e., x-rays, diagnostic tests,  and renal dialysis.) 

A premium has to be paid by most people to access Part B.

Part C combines Part A and Part B and must cover nothing less than all the services covered under Original Medicare Part A & Part B.  The key difference is that private insurance companies approved by Medicare provide this type of coverage.

Part D provides drug coverage offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. You need to enroll in Part D when you initially become eligible.  Otherwise, you will be subject to a late enrollment penalty.