1. Medicare Part A primarily helps pay for:

Inpatient hospital care

Medicare Part A is hospital insurance covering inpatient hospital stays and certain related care.

2. Medicare Part B generally helps pay for:

Physician services and outpatient care

Medicare Part B is medical insurance covering physician services, outpatient care, and certain preventive services.

3. Medicare Part D provides:

Prescription drug coverage

Medicare Part D is the prescription drug benefit offered through private plans approved by Medicare.

4. A Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan is best described as:

An alternative to Original Medicare offered by approved private plans

Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurers approved by Medicare and provide an alternative way to receive Part A and B benefits.