Most people in Owings Mills meet Medicare through a thick envelope from Social Security a few months before they turn 65. Inside are letters like A and B and a red, white and blue card. The letters matter, because each part of Medicare pays for different things, has its own costs and has its own deadlines. Once you see how the four parts fit together, the rest of your choices make a lot more sense.
Here is the short version. Parts A and B are Original Medicare, run by the federal government. Part C (Medicare Advantage) and Part D (drug plans) are sold by private insurance companies that contract with Medicare. Medicare Supplement plans, also called Medigap, are private policies that sit beside Original Medicare. Let's take them one at a time.
Part A: hospital insurance
Part A covers care when you are admitted to a hospital, such as a stay at Northwest Hospital in Randallstown or Sinai Hospital in Baltimore. It also covers a limited stay in a skilled nursing facility after a qualifying hospital stay, hospice care and some home health care.
Most people pay no monthly premium for Part A because they or a spouse paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. That does not make it free to use. In 2026 the inpatient deductible is $1,736 for each benefit period, and long stays bring daily coinsurance. Our Medicare costs page lays out every figure.
Watch for "observation status"
Not every night in a hospital counts as an inpatient admission. If the hospital keeps you under observation, the stay is billed as outpatient care under Part B, and it may not count toward the three day inpatient stay that skilled nursing coverage requires. Always ask whether you have been formally admitted.
Part B: medical insurance
Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient surgery, lab work, imaging, ambulance rides, durable medical equipment and a long list of preventive services such as flu shots and many screenings. A visit to an urgent care center on Reisterstown Road or Owings Mills Boulevard falls under Part B too.
Part B has a monthly premium, $202.90 for most people in 2026, and a yearly deductible of $283. After the deductible, you generally pay 20% of the Medicare approved amount, with no yearly cap. That open ended 20% is the main reason people add a Supplement plan or choose an Advantage plan.
Still working past 65? If you or your spouse have health coverage through a current employer, you may be able to delay Part B without a penalty. The rules depend on employer size, so call us before you decide.
Part C: Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage plans are an alternative way to receive your Part A and Part B benefits. Instead of Original Medicare paying your claims, a private plan does. Most Advantage plans in Baltimore County include Part D drug coverage, and many add dental, vision, hearing or fitness benefits.
In exchange, most plans use networks (HMO or PPO), may require referrals or prior approval, and charge copays as you use care. Every plan has a yearly limit on what you pay for covered medical services. You still pay your Part B premium when you join.
Part D: prescription drug coverage
Part D helps pay for prescriptions. You get it either through a standalone drug plan (if you keep Original Medicare) or built into most Advantage plans. Each plan has its own list of covered drugs, its own pharmacy network and its own pricing tiers, so the right plan depends on exactly which medications you take and which pharmacy you use.
Since 2025, Part D has a yearly cap on what you pay out of pocket for covered drugs. The cap is $2,100 in 2026 and rises to $2,400 in 2027. If you go without creditable drug coverage after you first become eligible, a late enrollment penalty can be added to your premium for as long as you have Part D.
Medicare Supplement (Medigap)
Medicare Supplement plans are not a "part" of Medicare, but they are a big piece of the puzzle. A Supplement plan pays some or all of the costs Original Medicare leaves behind, such as the Part A deductible and the 20% Part B coinsurance. Plans are labeled with letters (G and N are the most common choices for people new to Medicare), and benefits for each letter are the same from every insurance company. Prices are not, which is where comparing carriers pays off.
Supplement plans do not include drug coverage, so most people pair one with a Part D plan. They also work with any doctor or hospital in the country that accepts Medicare, which matters to Owings Mills residents who split time with family out of state.
How the parts fit together
In practice, almost everyone ends up on one of two paths:
- Original Medicare (A and B) plus a Supplement plus a Part D plan. Higher monthly premiums, very predictable costs, and freedom to see any provider that takes Medicare.
- A Medicare Advantage plan (Part C), usually with Part D included. Lower or even $0 plan premiums in many cases, copays as you go, and a network to work within.
Neither path is right for everyone. Our Supplement vs Advantage guide walks through the tradeoffs, and our enrollment guide explains when you can choose or switch.
Where to go from here
If you are within a few months of 65, or helping a parent who is, a short call can save hours of reading. Our licensed team will look at your doctors, prescriptions and budget and explain which parts you need and when. Call (410) 896-1212 or book a time that suits you.