Learn about the four parts of Medicare, Medicare Supplement and where dental, vision and hearing benefits fit in.
Medicare includes four types of coverage: A, B, C and D. Together, Part A and Part B are called Original Medicare.
Part A is provided by the federal government and is available at no cost if you or your spouse made payroll contributions to Social Security for at least 10 years.
Part A covers all or a portion of the costs for services such as:
Part B is provided by the federal government with a monthly premium based on your income.
Part B covers all or a portion of the costs for services such as:
Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage, is offered by private insurers like Blue Cross NC. Medicare Advantage plans can be purchased to replace Original Medicare and generally offer more benefits and coverage than Original Medicare. Most also include prescription drug coverage. Medicare Advantage plans are built around a preferred network of doctors and hospitals, much like a group or individual plan you may have had prior to turning age 65.
Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage, is offered by private insurers like Blue Cross NC. Medicare Advantage plans can be purchased to replace Original Medicare and generally offer more benefits and coverage than Original Medicare. Most also include prescription drug coverage. Medicare Advantage plans are built around a preferred network of doctors and hospitals, much like a group or individual plan you may have had prior to 65.
Part D is prescription drug coverage. Sometimes Part D is called a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (PDP). It is offered by private insurers. You would add a Part D plan if you choose Original Medicare or Medicare Supplement and need prescription drug coverage.
Medicare Supplement plans were created to cover some of the costs – or gaps – that Original Medicare does not cover. For this reason, you may sometimes see these plans referred to as Medigap coverage. Medicare Supplement plans are available from private insurers like Blue Cross NC. They are standardized by the Federal government and do not include drug coverage.
One big question when shopping for Medicare is if vision, dental and hearing benefits are included with your coverage. Original Medicare and some Medicare Supplement plans do not cover dental, hearing and vision services that are not medically necessary. You can purchase dental or vision plans separately from private insurers like Blue Cross NC, or you can choose a Medicare Advantage plan that includes dental, hearing and vision benefits or allowances.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability in its health programs and activities. Learn more about our non-discrimination policy and no-cost services available to you.
Information in other languages: Español 中文 Tiếng Việt 한국어 Français العَرَبِيَّة Hmoob ру́сский Tagalog ગુજરાતી ភាសាខ្មែរ Deutsch हिन्दी ລາວ 日本語
© 2023 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. ®, SM Marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans. Blue Cross NC is an abbreviation for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.