Your quick guide to Medicare Avoid unpleasant surprises later by boning up on the basics of Medicare now. Here's what's covered, what's not and what you'll end up paying for. By MSN MoneyCentral staff Medicare is berated, debated and hated in Congress and in heartland America.
Critics say it costs too much and beneficiaries complain that it offers too little.
Yet this government program pays for about half of all medical costs for people age 65 and older. Here is a quick primer on what you need to know about Medicare. For more in-depth information, check out the Medicare Web site link to the left. The chart below explains the differences between Part A and Part B, and then a second chart explains what is covered under the plans. We also have information about a Medigap policies .