Am I buying Medicare from the government or from an insurance company?
The short answer
It depends on which part of Medicare you're talking about. Original Medicare (Parts A and B) comes directly from the federal government. Medicare Advantage (Part C), Part D drug plans, and Medigap supplemental plans are sold by private insurance companies approved by Medicare.
The full explanation
Original Medicare, meaning Part A (hospital coverage) and Part B (doctor and outpatient coverage), is run by the federal government. You enroll through Social Security, and the government pays your claims directly. That part has nothing to do with a private insurance company.But most people need more than Original Medicare covers. That's where private insurers come in. Medicare Advantage plans (sometimes called Part C) are sold by private companies that contract with Medicare to bundle your coverage together, often including drug coverage and extras like dental or vision. Part D prescription drug plans are also sold by private insurers. Medigap policies, which help cover costs like deductibles and coinsurance that Original Medicare leaves behind, are private too.So the honest answer is: both. The government sets the rules, handles Parts A and B, and approves the private plans that can participate. Private insurance companies sell the add-on and alternative coverage. When you work with an agency like Resting Sycamore, you're getting help comparing those private options. We are not the government, and neither is any insurance carrier. Always verify current plan details directly with the carrier or Medicare.gov.
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