Final answer:
Medicare beneficiaries must pay deductibles, premiums, and coinsurance before Medicare pays for services. Deductibles are initial out-of-pocket payments, premiums are monthly insurance payments, and coinsurance is a cost-share after meeting the deductible.
Step-by-step explanation:
The three items that Medicare beneficiaries are responsible to pay before Medicare will begin to pay for services are deductibles, premiums, and coinsurance. Deductibles are the out-of-pocket expenses that must be paid before Medicare starts covering the costs. Premiums refer to the monthly payment for Medicare coverage. Coinsurance is the percentage of the costs that the insured person must pay after meeting their deductible.
It's important for Medicare beneficiaries to understand these costs as they form the basis of their responsibilities under the Medicare program. While Medicare Part A covers hospital charges and is funded by payroll deductions, beneficiaries are still required to pay a deductible and copayments for related services. Moreover, there's no cap on the total costs a beneficiary can incur, making it essential to manage these expenses wisely.