Medicare can feel like alphabet soup at first, but Part A and Part B cover two very different kinds of care.
Part A: hospital coverage
Part A generally covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, and some home health care. Most people do not pay a monthly premium for Part A because they paid Medicare taxes while working.
Part B: medical coverage
Part B covers outpatient care, doctor visits, preventive screenings, lab work, and durable medical equipment. Unlike Part A, Part B comes with a monthly premium based on your income.
Together, Parts A and B make up “Original Medicare.” Many people pair them with a supplemental (Medigap) policy or choose Medicare Advantage instead.