Medicare is a federal health insurance program available to adults, beginning at age 65; as well as younger people who have disabilities.

It helps by covering services such as lab tests, surgeries and doctors visits; as well as medically necessary supplies like wheelchairs and walkers.Below are brief overviews of the parts of Medicare that you will need to know.• Part A, is usually premium free, and covers inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care and some home health care. Even if you are not ready to join Medicare, you should enroll for Part A to avoid a delay in enrollment penalty down the road.• Part B covers two types of services including medically necessary services and supplies that meet the accepted standards of medical practice and preventive services such as flu shots, mammograms, Pap tests and pelvic exams and diabetes screening. It also covers clinical research, ambulance services, mental health services and limited outpatient prescription drugs.Premiums for Part B, will cost beneficiaries about $105 a month; with a $147 annual deductible before Medicare will begin paying.• Part C or the Medicare Advantage Plan is a plan offered by private companies that contract with Medicare to provide both Parts A and B coverage. They include Health Maintenance Organizations, Preferred Provider Organizations, Private Fee-for-Service plans, Special Needs plans and Medicare Medical Savings Account plans.Advantage plans cover you in emergency or urgently needed care; and must cover all services that are covered under Medicare Parts A and B; but your plan can choose not to cover some services that aren't deemed medically necessary.Premiums vary and monthly costs are determined by coverage, annual deductible, copayments and coinsurance, the type of health care services you need, whether your doctor accepts your insurance, and if you have Medicaid.• Part D or Medicare drug coverage, covers drugs used to treat various medical issues. There are different tiers of covered drugs and each tier is associated with a set cost.Medicare beneficiaries must pay a premium, which varies by plan for Part D. The premium is in addition to the annual Part B premium. In addition, many plans have up to a $325 deductible, which must be met before the plan begins copayments for covered drugs.Information compiled from Medicare.gov, the official U.S. Government site for Medicare