Medicare Basics
Medicare Part A.
Medicare Part A, also known as Hospital Insurance, is one of the four parts of Medicare that covers specific services. Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, hospice care, skilled nursing facility care, and some home health care. Original Medicare, which includes Part A and Part B, covers most, but not all, of the costs for approved health care services and supplies. Part B covers services from doctors and other health care providers, outpatient care, durable medical equipment, and many preventive services. You can use the Medicare Eligibility Tool to learn if you are eligible for Medicare. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, or visit your local Social Security office for more information about buying Part A. You can sign up for Medicare when you apply for Social Security, which begins 3 months before you turn 65 and ends 3 months after the month you turn 65. If you have to buy Part A, and you don't buy it when you're first eligible for Medicare, your monthly premium may go up 10%. You'll have to pay the penalty for twice the number of years you didn't sign up.
This may vary depending on location or individual circumstances.
Medicare Part B.
Medicare Part B is an optional program that helps cover medically necessary medical services and items. It covers services such as:
- Doctors' services
- Outpatient care
- Preventive services like exams, lab tests, and screening shots
- Durable medical equipment (DME)
- Certain home health services
Part B also covers health care to prevent illness (like the flu) or detect it at an early stage, when treatment is most likely to work best. Some examples of services covered by Part B include:
- Clinical research
- Ambulance services
- Cardiac rehabilitation
- Cardiovascular screenings
- Chiropractic services (limited)
- Clinical laboratory services
- Colorectal cancer screenings
- Diabetes screenings
Most people pay the standard premium amount for Part B, but Social Security may contact some people who have to pay more depending on their income. You can enroll in Part B without any penalty if you've been covered by an active employer group health plan (either yours or your spouse's) since turning 65, and it ended within the last 8 months. This is considered a “Special Enrollment Period”. This may vary depending on location or individual circumstances.
Medicare Basics Cont.
Medicare Part C
Medicare Supplement
Medicare Part C
Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, also known as "Part C" plans, are health plans offered by private companies that contract with Medicare to provide Medicare Part A and Part B benefits. MA plans cover all Medicare services, including hospital, outpatient, and prescription drug coverage. They also cover emergency and urgent care, fitness pro
Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, also known as "Part C" plans, are health plans offered by private companies that contract with Medicare to provide Medicare Part A and Part B benefits. MA plans cover all Medicare services, including hospital, outpatient, and prescription drug coverage. They also cover emergency and urgent care, fitness programs, and some vision, hearing, and dental services. However, MA plans do not cover clinical trials, hospice services, or services that aren't medically necessary. MA plans typically have lower out-of-pocket costs than traditional Medicare and may offer additional benefits. Some advantages of MA plans include:
- Low monthly premiums
- Some plans may not charge any monthly premium
- Some plans may provide more benefits than are covered under Original Medicare
However, MA plans limit care to in-network providers and require referrals for consultations with specialists. You may also have to get approval from your MA plan to have certain tests or procedures, which can delay care. There's also a chance your MA plan could end coverage, either by the insurer or the network and its included medical providers. You can contact your plan for more information. Medicare.gov has more information on plan types and to find plans that are available in your area. This may vary depending on location or individual circumstances.
Part D
Medicare Supplement
Medicare Part C
Medicare Part D refers to a prescription drug benefit from the federal Medicare health insurance program. The program is for persons 65 and older, certain younger people with disabilities, and people with end-stage renal disease. Private insurance companies administer Part D plans, which are available to anyone with Medicare.
Medicare Supplement
Medicare Supplement
Medicare Supplement
Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) is extra insurance you can buy from a private health insurance company to help pay your share of out-of-pocket costs in
Original Medicare.
Generally, you must have Original Medicare –
Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) – to buy a Medigap policy.
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