Pete Buttigieg calls 'Medicare for All' and free college plans 'questionable on their merits'

[Honeycombe8]

80. It's not part of basic Medicare. It's optional, and you must buy it separately.

It's not the basic Medicare.

I had to look up on my notes, to make sure I got this right. I have most of the parts, so I forget the details.

Part A - This is basic Medicare. When you enroll in Medicare, this is what you're enrolling in. NO COST. $1,340 deductible. Covers hospitals.

Part B - Optional. You have to choose to enroll in this. It costs $135.50/month (more, if you are high income). About a $160 deductible and 20% coinsurance. Covers doctors.

Part D - Prescription coverage. Optional. You buy this in the private market, so cost varies.

Dental & vision - Have to buy this in the private market, so cost varies. If you choose to get it at all.


Medicare participants can buy any number of private ins. policies that are required to operate in accordance w/Medicare rules, and which fill in all or some of the gaps that Medicare doesn't cover. If a person can't afford any extra cost, then all s/he'll get is Part A Medicare, is my understanding. Medicare Part A is "the" Medicare that we seniors are guaranteed, after paying our taxes for it over the years.