There are certain limitations on all of these coverages, and both Part A and Part B require an initial deductible each year. You are automatically enrolled in Part B when you apply for Part A, unless you waive Part B coverage. Part B is paid for through a monthly premium which is taken out of your Social Security check and subject to annual increases. Part A has been paid for already through your payroll taxes. If your income and assets are quite low, you may be eligible for Medicaid, a program financed by the federal government and your state to provide medical care to certain low-income individuals.
Coverage varies by state.
Medicare Medigap Insurance Medicare is not a complete health insurance program. Medigap policies cover certain items not included in Medicare, such as deductibles, co-pays and long hospital stays. To make it easier to compare Medigap plans and premiums, insurers are required to offer these polices in 10 standard formats, each containing a core package of benefits and various combinations of other coverages. Despite this standardization, premium prices differ from insurer to insurer, so you need to do some comparison shopping before you buy. Your state's insurance department can provide information about what state law mandates for coverage, and may even provide a list comparing providers, their coverage and costs.