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Medicare Basics

Most Americans join Medicare when they turn 65, but it’s also available to younger people with certain disabilities and people with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure that requires dialysis or a 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) and Medicare Part D (prescription drug) are plans offered by insurance companies and private companies that contract with Medicare.

Original Medicare

Offered by the Federal Government

Hospital Insurance

Part A helps pays for:

Inpatient hospital care
Skilled nursing facility care after a hospital stay
Some home health care and hospice services

Learn more about Medicare Part A.

More Medicare Coverage

Additional Medicare Coverage Offered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana

You can choose to enroll in:

Medicare Advantage

Combines what’s covered by Part A and Part B and adds benefits, often including prescription drug coverage (Part D)

Part C always covers you for all benefits included in Parts A and B.

May include coverage for:

Dental, hearing and/or vision services
Health, wellness, and fitness programs

Part C plans may also include:

Prescription drug coverage
Provider networks to help manage costs
A preloaded flexible spending card to help reduce your out-of-pocket expenses for covered dental, vision, and hearing services

Learn more about Medicare Part C.

If you enroll in a Blue Cross Medicare Advantage^SM plan, you cannot also enroll in a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan.

Or, you can choose to enroll in: