Part A

Part A helps cover hospital care and what follows including rehabilitation services, some home health, and hospice services. There is a “benefit period” deductible for individuals without secondary coverage.

You usually don’t pay a monthly premium for Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) coverage if you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes while working for at least 10 years. This is sometimes called “premium-free Part A.” If you have worked 7.5-10 years, it will cost $278/month – if you have worked less than 7.5 years, it will cost $505/month (2024).

But, most people do not pay premiums for Part A. You can get premium-free Part A at 65 if:

• You already get retirement benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board.

• You’re eligible to get Social Security or Railroad benefits but haven’t filed for them yet.

• You or your spouse had Medicare-covered government employment.

If you’re under 65, you can get premium-free Part A if:

• You received Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board disability benefits for 24 months.

• You have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and meet certain requirements.

Click here for more information about Part A

Part B covers 80% of doctors’ care; physical, occupational, and speech therapy; ambulance services; medical equipment and some home health care services. The monthly premium is $174.70 in 2024 with a $240 annual deductible. People with higher incomes pay larger premiums, and those with limited incomes may get help paying this premium.

Click here for more information about Part B

Part C includes Medicare Advantage plans - A and B services are covered by these privately administered health plans and a drug plan may be included. These plans are similar to managed care plans in that you typically have co-payments for services, and it is important to know if your providers are considered “in network” or “out of network” because that determines how much coverage you will have for your healthcare services.

Click here for more information about Medicare Advantage. Visit this page on our website for links to Medicare Advantage drug plans and health benefits for 2023.

These privately administered plans cover different medicines at different costs and change every year. There are various monthly premiums. People with higher incomes pay more, and those with limited incomes may get help paying this premium (called “extra help” or low-income subsidy).

Click here for more information about Medicare Part D and subsidy assistance.

The following page helps explain what you pay for and what your Part D plan pays for when you purchase prescription medications: Medicare Part D Benefit Chart 2024

Secondary plans are insurance plans that pay after Medicare; i.e., Medicaid, past employer group plan, Medicare supplement, etc.

Medicare Supplement or Medigap policies: these private plans are secondary coverage that fills in the payment holes of original Medicare A and B. These plans have premiums and are accepted wherever Medicare is accepted.

Click here for our tips on choosing a supplement. Click here to download a detailed guide from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). A helpful chart describing which supplements cover what services is here.

Click here for general information about Medicare and details specific to Medicare Supplements. Visit NC SHIIP to obtain estimates on premium rates for supplement plans.*

*Please note that prices are subject to change and may not be up-to-date.