• Part A (Hospital Insurance): Covers inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some home health care.
  

• Part B (Medical Insurance): Covers certain doctors' services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services.
  

• Part C (Medicare Advantage): An alternative to Original Medicare that offers all Part A and Part B coverage and sometimes includes additional benefits like dental, vision, and prescription drugs.
  

• Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage): Adds prescription drug coverage to Original Medicare, some Medicare Cost Plans, some Medicare Private-Fee-for-Service plans, and Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans.

Individuals are eligible for Medicare if they are 65 or older, younger than 65 with certain disabilities, or any age with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant).

There are specific enrollment periods, such as the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) around their 65th birthday, the General Enrollment Period (GEP) from January 1 to March 31 each year, and the Special Enrollment Period (SEP) under certain conditions like losing employer coverage.

Original Medicare includes Part A and Part B. Patients can see any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare in the U.S. Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are offered by private companies approved by Medicare and may have network restrictions, meaning you must see doctors and hospitals within the plan’s network. These plans often include extra benefits like dental, hearing, and vision care.