Original Medicare is divided into two main parts:

• Part A (hospital insurance)
• Part B (medical insurance)

These parts provide beneficiaries with hospital insurance and medical insurance, helping cover the costs of hospital stays, medically necessary services, and preventive health services. With Original Medicare, you pay a portion of the Medicare-approved amount for services. To maintain your benefits, you must pay premiums, and you may also incur deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.

Medicare Advantage is an alternative to Original Medicare, the private Medicare option available through Part C.