Medicare Part B covers services that treat illnesses or conditions such as doctor’s office visits, lab work, x-rays, and outpatient surgeries. It also covers preventive services like cancer screenings and flu shots. Part B also covers medically necessary durable medical equipment such as wheelchairs and walkers to treat a disease or condition. Most people pay a premium for Part B. Even if you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan that provides your Part A and Part B benefits, you will still pay your Part B premium.

Original Medicare doesn’t cover prescription drugs. Although Medicare Part D coverage is optional, it can be valuable if you take medications. You will pay a late-enrollment penalty if you don’t sign up for Medicare Part D Coverage when you are first eligible. You can get Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage either through an independent Prescription Drug Plan (PDP), or through a Medicare Advantage Plan that includes prescription drug coverage.

Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D). These plans (sometimes called "PDPs") add drug coverage to Original Medicare, some Medicare Cost Plans, some Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) Plans, and Medicare Medical Savings Account (MSA) Plans.

A Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan is used with original Medicare.

How it can benefit financing: Any caregiver that accepts Medicare will take a Supplement because they only need to bill Medicare. Medicare pays their part (generally 80% of Medicare covered benefits) and sends the remainder of the bill to the Supplement which pays their part (generally 20%).

It is important to note that Supplements do NOT include Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D, PDP) and for those that do not get a PDP when first eligible there will be a penalty when they do get a PDP. (there are exceptions to this) A Medicare Supplement does not change year to year (although the cost does generally go up the coverage does not change).

Medicare Advantage Plans, sometimes called "Part C" or "MA Plans," are an “all in one” alternative to Original Medicare. They are offered by private companies approved by Medicare. If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, you still have Medicare. These "bundled" plans include Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance), and usually Medicare drug coverage (Part D).