Parts of Medicare
Part A (Hospital Insurance):
Helps cover inpatient care in hospitals, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and home health care.
Part B (Medical Insurance):
Helps cover:
Part D (Drug coverage):
Helps cover the cost of prescription drugs (including many recommended shots or vaccines). You join a Medicare drug plan in addition to Original Medicare, or you get it by joining a Medicare Advantage Plan with drug coverage. Plans that offer Medicare drug coverage are run by private insurance companies that follow rules set by Medicare.
Medicare Supplemental Insurance (Medigap):
Extra insurance you can buy from a private company that helps pay your share of costs in Original Medicare. Policies are standardized, and in most states named by letters, like Plan G or Plan K. The benefits in each lettered plan are the same, no matter which insurance company sells it.
2007 | 4.1% Rate Increase |
2008 | 7.2% Rate Increase |
2009 | 1.4% Rate Increase |
2010 | 7.7% Rate Reduction |
2011 | 4.4% Rate Increase |
2012 | 3.6% Rate Reduction |
2013 | 3.9% Rate Increase |
2014 | Rate Hold |
2015 | Rate Hold |
2016 | 4.5% Rate Increase |
2017 | 4% Rate Increase |
*Rate change averages across all plans. Not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the Federal Medicare Program. For information only. Not for distribution to prospective or current members. A Division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association 56990.0414