What is Medicare Part B and Medicare Part D?

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Medicare Part B is medical insurance that covers outpatient care, preventive services, durable medical equipment, and medically necessary doctor visits. It complements Part A (Hospital Insurance) and is part of Original Medicare. Key costs include a monthly premium, an annual deductible, and a 20% coinsurance for many services, though costs can vary based on income.  

Medicare Part D is an optional, private insurance plan that helps cover the cost of prescription drugs for people with Medicare. Eligibility requires having Medicare Part A or Part B and living in the plan's service area. While most plans have a monthly premium, some $0-premium options are available, and all plans involve additional costs like copayments and deductibles. It is crucial to compare plans because coverage and costs vary widely.

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Some information from Social Security to help you understand the "parts" of Medicare:

https://www.ssa.gov/medicare/plan/medicare-parts