Medicare Part A & B What is the difference?
Summary:
When you qualify for Medicare, it’s usually Medicare Part A and Part B that you’re first
enrolled in. Medicare Part A and Part B make up Original Medicare. Medicare Part A generally helps
pay your costs as a hospital inpatient. Medicare Part B may help pay for doctor visits, preventive
services, lab tests, medical equipment and supplies, and more.
What is Medicare Part A?
Medicare Part A is hospital insurance. Part A generally covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing
care, hospice care, and limited home health-care services. You typically pay a deductible and
coinsurance and/or copayments.
Do you have to pay a Part A premium?
Many people don’t pay a monthly premium for Medicare Part A. For example, if you worked at least
ten years (40 quarters) while paying taxes, you don’t pay a premium for Part A. If you worked for
fewer than 30 quarters, you generally pay $505 per month in 2024. If you worked more than 30 but
fewer than 40 quarters, your premium is $278 per month in 2024.
What is Medicare Part B?
Medicare Part B is medical insurance. It generally covers services and items such as:
- Doctor office visits
Preventive services, such as certain tests and screenings
Flu shots
Pneumococcal shots
Mental health care (outpatient)
Alcohol use counseling
Chemotherapy
Physical therapy
Diabetes screenings, supplies, and self-management therapy
Durable medical equipment, such as wheelchairs
This is not a complete list. Part B may cover many different services and items, but certain coverage
rules apply. For example, providers must accept Medicare assignment (a payment agreement with
Medicare), and certain items and services must be medically necessary.
Under Part B, in most cases you will pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for each item or
service. A deductible may also apply.
Do you have to pay a Part B premium?
Your Part B premium may be the “standard” amount, or $174.90 in 2024.
If your income is above a certain amount (based on your income tax returns from two years ago), you
might pay a higher Part B premium.
Can you ever get both Part A and Part B coverage at the same time?
When you’re an inpatient in a hospital, it’s possible to get Part A and Part B coverage at the same
time. For example, while Part A generally covers medically necessary surgery and certain hospital
costs, Part B may cover doctor visits while you’re an inpatient.
Did you know that there’s another way to get your Part A and Part B coverage? A Medicare Advantage plan delivers these benefits, and often more. Most Medicare Advantage plans include
prescription drug coverage. Learn more about Medicare Advantage plans. You must pay your
Medicare Part B premium when you have a Medicare Advantage plan, as well as any premium the
plan might charge.
