Medicare Explained: Parts A, B, C & D

Confused by Medicare? You’re not alone. The different parts, plans, and rules can feel overwhelming, but that’s where We Care Medicare comes in. With 13+ years of experience, Julianne breaks it down in simple terms so you can make confident choices about your coverage.

The Four Parts of Medicare

Medicare Part A – Hospital Coverage

Part A covers hospital stays, skilled nursing facilities, and hospice care. While there’s usually no monthly premium, there are deductibles and co-pays that can add up quickly without supplemental coverage.

Medicare Part B – Medical Coverage

Part B is your medical insurance for doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, and duriable medical assistance. It requires a monthly premium because you’re paying the people who administer your care: doctors, nurses, and technicians.

Medicare Part C – Medicare Advantage Plans

What’s Included

Part C bundles hospital (A), medical (B), and often prescription drugs (D) into one plan, offered through private insurance companies. These plans may include extras like vision, dental, hearing aids, and even gym memberships, but they come with networks, referrals, and maximum out-of-pocket costs to consider.

How It Works

Medicare Advantage (Part C) is like an “all-in-one” package. Instead of carrying multiple cards for Parts A, B, and D, you’ll have one card that covers your hospital, medical, and often prescription needs. Because these plans are run by private insurance companies, you’ll use their doctor and hospital networks, similar to an HMO or PPO.

While monthly premiums are often lower, you’ll want to be comfortable with the network, co-pays, and rules for referrals.

The bonus? Many plans come with added perks like dental, vision, hearing coverage, and wellness benefits.

Medicare Part D – Prescription Drug Coverage

Part D is your prescription drug plan, also called a PDP. It requires a monthly premium and has co-pays and deductibles. Enrolling on time is critical; waiting can mean penalties later. Each plan is based on the prescriptions you take, and Julianne helps research the right fit.

Need help reviewing your drug plan?

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The Donut Hole Is Closed (2026 Update)

For years, Medicare Part D included a “coverage gap” called the Donut Hole. The good news is this gap was eliminated as of 2025. Now, everyone on Medicare has a $2,100 annual cap on out-of-pocket drug costs. That means less stress about unexpected prescription expenses.