About Medicare
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Medicare is a federal insurance program for people age 65 and older and certain disabled people. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is the part of the United States Department of Health and Human Services that operates Medicare.
The Medicare program consists of four parts, Medicare Part A (hospital insurance), Medicare Part B (medical insurance), Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage Plans) and Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage). Part A covers some outpatient hospital, skilled nursing facility, home health and hospice care. Most beneficiaries do not pay for Part A because they or a spouse or parent paid while they were working. Part B covers doctors' services, most outpatient hospital services, durable medical equipment and a number of other medical services and supplies. Part B also provides limited coverage for preventive services. Medicare Part C is more commonly known as Advantage Plans ans includes things such as HMOs, PPOs, Private Fee for Service, and Special Needs Plans. Everyone is responsible for Part B and Part D premiums.
Medicare was never intended to pay for everything. Medicare requires cost sharing in the form of premiums (for some), deductibles & coinsurance.