Community Health Guide

Medical Insurance Coverage

Medicare is medical coverage for people age 65 or older. Medicare health coverage also includes community health provisions for people with certain disabilities including those with permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or kidney transplant.

Medicare Health Plans

Health coverage through the Medicare program is typically obtained through the original Medicare plan or through a Medicare Advantage Plan. The cost of the Medicare health medical insurance plans may vary depending on the plan, medical coverage and services used.

• Medicare Part A

  Hospitalization is provided by Medicare Part A. The patient can choose their own doctor but in some cases costs may be higher than under Medicare Advantage Plans.

• Medicare Part B

  Optional medical coverage is provided by Medicare Part B.

• Medicare Part C

  Medicare Advantage Plans including HMOs and PPOs combine both hospital and medical coverage under one plan offered by private health insurance companies that have been approved by the Medicare program.

• Medicare Part D

  Optional prescription drug coverage from private health insurance companies is covered under Medicare Part D. Health insurance companies cover medically necessary drugs under these health plans.

• Medigap

  Medigap is a Medicare supplement insurance policy. You can choose to buy this coverage to fill in gaps in Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B coverage. Cost may vary by type of policy and health insurance company.