Medicare Explained: Parts A, B, C, and D

If you're turning 65 or helping a parent navigate Medicare, the alphabet soup of Parts A, B, C, and D can feel overwhelming. Let's break it down in plain English.

Part A: Hospital Insurance

What it covers: Inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and some home health care.

Cost: Most people pay $0 in premiums for Part A if they (or their spouse) paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years.

Key number: $1,632 deductible per benefit period (2026).

Part B: Medical Insurance

What it covers: Doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, medical equipment, and some home health care.

Cost: Standard premium is $185/month in 2026 (higher earners pay more).

Key number: $257 annual deductible, then you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount.

Part C: Medicare Advantage

What it is: An all-in-one alternative to Original Medicare (Parts A + B), offered by private insurance companies.

What it adds: Most Part C plans include prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, hearing, and fitness benefits.

Cost: Many plans have $0 additional monthly premium (beyond your Part B premium).

Trade-off: You must use in-network providers in most plans.

Part D: Prescription Drug Coverage

What it covers: Prescription medications.

Cost: Premiums vary by plan (average around $33/month in 2026).

Important: If you don't enroll when you're first eligible, you may pay a late enrollment penalty.

When to Enroll

• Initial Enrollment Period: 3 months before your 65th birthday through 3 months after
• Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): October 15 - December 7 each year
• Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment: January 1 - March 31

How Coverage Cove Helps with Medicare

Our licensed Medicare specialists compare all available plans in your area, check that your doctors are in-network, verify your prescriptions are covered, and help you enroll over the phone.

Compare Medicare plans now — it's free and takes just a few minutes.