Do I need Part D if I don't take any medications?

It's usually wise to enroll in some creditable drug coverage when you're first eligible even if you take nothing now. If you go without creditable coverage for 63+ days, you can owe a Part D late-enrollment penalty that is added to your premium for life once you do sign up.

Medigap (Medicare Supplement) is private insurance that pairs with Original Medicare to pay some of the costs it leaves behind, like the 20% coinsurance. Plans are standardized by letter (for example Plan G or Plan N), so the same letter means the same coverage from any insurer. Medigap does not include drug coverage, so you add a separate Part D plan.

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Medicare Basics

Medicare Made Simple: Parts A, B, C & D

Q: What is the difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage?

Original Medicare is Part A (hospital) plus Part B (medical), run by the federal government; you can see any provider that accepts Medicare, and most people add a Medigap supplement and a Part D drug plan. Medicare Advantage (Part C) is a private all-in-one alternative that bundles Part A, B, and usually D plus extras, but limits you to the plan's network. You choose one path or the other.

Q: How much does Medicare cost in 2026?

Most people pay $0 for Part A. The standard Part B premium is $202.90 per month in 2026 with a $283 annual deductible (higher earners pay more). Part D and Medicare Advantage premiums vary by plan, and in 2026 there is a $2,100 cap on out-of-pocket costs for covered Part D prescriptions.

Austin TylerLocal Kentucky Medicare agent · June 9, 2026 · 6 min read

The scariest thing about Medicare isn't the coverage — it's the alphabet. Part A, Part B, Part C, Part D, plus "Medigap" and "Original Medicare." It sounds like a secret code. It isn't. Once you see how the pieces fit together, the whole thing gets a lot less intimidating. Let's take it one letter at a time.

Part A — Hospital coverage

Part A is your hospital insurance. It covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, and some home health care.

The good news: most people pay $0 for Part A. If you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for about 10 years (40 "credits"), you've already paid for it. There's still a deductible when you're admitted — $1,736 per benefit period in 2026 — but no monthly premium for most people.

Part B — Doctor & outpatient coverage

Part B is your medical insurance: doctor visits, outpatient care, lab work, preventive screenings, and durable medical equipment like a walker or wheelchair.

Part B has a monthly premium — the standard amount is $202.90 in 2026, with a $283 annual deductible (higher earners pay more). After your deductible, Part B generally pays about 80% of covered costs and you pay the other 20%.

"Original Medicare" = Part A + Part B. When people say Original Medicare, they just mean Parts A and B together, run by the federal government. It's solid coverage — but on its own it has no yearly limit on your 20% share. That's the gap the next pieces are built to fill.

Part C — Medicare Advantage

Part C, better known as Medicare Advantage, is a private, all-in-one alternative to Original Medicare. You still have Medicare, but a private insurer manages your benefits. These plans usually bundle Part A, Part B, and Part D drug coverage together, and often add extras like dental, vision, hearing, and a fitness benefit. Many carry a $0 monthly premium (you still pay your Part B premium).

The trade-off: Advantage plans use networks of doctors and hospitals, and may require referrals or prior approval. You're choosing lower upfront cost in exchange for working within the plan's rules.

Part D — Prescription drug coverage

Part D covers prescription medications. You can get it two ways: as a standalone Part D plan (paired with Original Medicare) or built into a Medicare Advantage plan. Each plan covers different drugs at different prices, so the "right" Part D plan is the one that covers your specific prescriptions. Good news for 2026: there's now a $2,100 cap on what you pay out of pocket for covered Part D drugs in a year.

Medigap — the gap filler

Finally, Medigap (also called a Medicare Supplement) isn't a "part," but it's part of the picture. It's private insurance that pairs with Original Medicare to pay the costs Parts A and B leave behind — like that 20% coinsurance. Medigap plans are standardized by letter (Plan G, Plan N, and so on), so the same letter means the same coverage no matter the insurer. Medigap doesn't include drugs, so you add a standalone Part D plan.

So which do I actually choose?

Here's the whole thing in one sentence: everyone picks one of two paths.

Path 1 — Original Medicare (Part A + B) + a Medigap plan + a standalone Part D drug plan. Maximum freedom, predictable costs, higher monthly premium.
Path 2 — Medicare Advantage (Part C), which rolls it all into one plan with a network. Lower monthly cost, more rules.

Neither is "better" — it depends on your doctors, your prescriptions, your budget, and how you live. We break that decision down in Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap: The Real Difference, or you can get a personalized read in two minutes with the Advantage vs. Supplement quiz.

When do I sign up?

Understanding the parts is step one. Step two is timing — and missing your enrollment window can mean a lifelong penalty. Before you do anything, read The 7-Month Window (and, if you're still working, Still Working at 65?).

Common questions

What's the difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage?

Original Medicare (Parts A & B) is the federal program — any provider that accepts Medicare, usually paired with Medigap and a Part D plan. Medicare Advantage (Part C) is a private all-in-one plan with a network that bundles it together. You choose one path.

How much does Medicare cost in 2026?

Most people pay $0 for Part A. Part B is $202.90/month with a $283 deductible (higher earners pay more). Part D and Advantage premiums vary by plan, and Part D out-of-pocket costs are capped at $2,100 for 2026.

Do I need Part D if I don't take medications?

Usually yes — sign up for creditable drug coverage when first eligible. Going 63+ days without it can trigger a Part D late penalty added to your premium for life.

What is Medigap?

Private insurance that pairs with Original Medicare to cover costs like the 20% coinsurance. Plans are standardized by letter, and you add a separate Part D plan for drugs.

New to all of this? You can get the free plain-English Medicare guide. A local Kentucky agent can also answer your questions directly — no cost, no pressure.

Quick recap

Medicare has four parts: A (hospital), B (medical), C (Medicare Advantage — a private all-in-one option), and D (drugs).

"Original Medicare" = Part A + Part B. Most people pay $0 for Part A and a standard premium for Part B ($202.90 in 2026).

Original Medicare alone has no yearly out-of-pocket cap, so people add a Medigap supplement or choose Medicare Advantage.

Part D covers prescriptions — standalone with Original Medicare, or built into most Advantage plans (2026 out-of-pocket cap: $2,100).

In the end you choose one of two paths: Original Medicare + Medigap + Part D, or Medicare Advantage.

Test what you learned

Five quick questions — pick an answer to see if you're right, and why.

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This article is general information, not advice for your specific situation, and Medicare rules and figures can change. 2026 amounts are from CMS. Tyler Insurance Group is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. For complete details on all your options, contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE.