Medicare Basics
Most Americans join Medicare when they turn 65, but it’s also available to younger people with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), or permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant.
What Is Medicare?
Medicare is a national health insurance program administered by the federal government. It is not part of the health insurance marketplace. Medicare is made up of four parts. Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Medicare Part B (medical insurance) are considered Original Medicare. Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage plans) and Medicare Part D (prescription drug plans) are offered by insurance companies and private companies that contract with Medicare.
Original Medicare
Offered by the Federal Government
Part A – Hospital Insurance
Part A helps pay for:
- Inpatient hospital care
- Skilled nursing facility care after a hospital stay
- Some home health care and hospice services
Part B – Medical Insurance
Part B helps pay for:
- Doctor's office visits and services
- Most outpatient care
- Home health care
- Durable medical equipment
- Many preventive services
More Medicare Coverage
Additional Medicare Coverage Offered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois
You can also choose to enroll in:
If you enroll in a Blue Cross Medicare AdvantageSM plan, you cannot also enroll in a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan.
Or, you can choose to enroll in:
Or, you can choose to enroll in a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan on its own or paired with a Part D plan:
Useful Tools
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Last Updated: Sept. 11, 2023
Last Updated: 03222024
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