Understanding Medicare Parts A, B, C, D, & Medigap Plans
- Cassidy Clark
- Jan 4
- 2 min read
Medicare is divided into four parts, each with its own role. Our Benefit Consultants are here to guide you through understanding each part of Medicare while prioritizing you each step of the way.
Part A: Hospital Insurance
Helps cover:
Inpatient hospital stays
Skilled nursing facility care (after a qualifying stay)
Some home-health services
Hospice care
Most people receive Part A premium-free based on the Medicare taxes that you or your spouse paid while working for a certain amount of time.
Part B: Medical Insurance
Helps cover:
Doctor visits
Outpatient care
Lab tests and imaging
Mental health services
Durable medical equipment
Preventive screenings
Part B has a monthly premium set each year by Medicare. You can contact your SGIA Benefit Consultant to understand your premium.
Part C: Medicare Advantage
A Medicare Advantage Plan is another way to get your Medicare Part A and Part B coverage. Medicare Advantage Plans are Medicare-approved plans offered by private insurers.
These plans can include:
All Part A and B benefits
Prescription drug coverage
Dental, vision, and hearing benefits
Fitness, transportation, and care-coordination extras
To compare Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, contact your SGIA Benefit Consultant.
Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)
Medigap plans work with Original Medicare (Parts A and B) to help cover costs that Medicare doesn’t fully pay, such as deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.
Important things to know about Medigap:
You must be enrolled in Original Medicare to have a Medigap plan
Medigap plans do not work with Medicare Advantage
These plans can help provide more predictable out-of-pocket costs
Medigap policies do not include prescription drug coverage (Part D is needed)
An SGIA Benefit Consultant can help you understand when a Medicare Supplement plan may make sense based on your healthcare needs, budget, and long-term goals.
Part D: Prescription Drug Coverage
Helps pay for medications prescribed by your doctor.
Each plan has its own:
Formulary (list of covered drugs)
Pharmacy network
Copay structure
If you’re unsure whether your current plan covers everything you need, SGIA Medicare Consulting is here to help you review your options. Subscribe to our weekly Blog for more!
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