Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people 65 years or older and for certain younger people with disabilities, and people with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). You are automatically enrolled in Medicare hospital insurance (Part A) when you apply for Social Security benefits – usually upon reaching 65 years of age. Part A covers inpatient care in a hospital or a skilled nursing facility, and hospice. Part A also covers services like lab tests, surgery, doctor visits and home health care. Part B covers physician and other health care providers’ services, outpatient care, durable medical equipment and some preventive services.
Medicare pays for many healthcare services and supplies, but it doesn’t cover all of your healthcare costs. For example, you pay a deductible for each hospital stay and coinsurance anytime you use the services of a physician or surgeon. Also, drug coverage is limited. Because Medicare rarely pays the full cost of covered services, you may want to consider a Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement insurance plan.
A Medicare Advantage health plan, sometimes called Part C or MA Plan, is an alternative to Medicare Parts A and B. Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private companies approved by Medicare and provide all of your Medicare Part A and Part B coverage. These plans offer emergency and urgent care, limits on out-of-pocket expenses and some offer extra benefits such as dental, vision, hearing and/or health and wellness programs. Most MA plans offer prescription drug coverage. The most common types of Medicare Advantage plans include:
A Medicare Advantage HMO plan features specific lists of doctors, hospitals, and other providers that you must use to receive benefits. HMOs often provide additional benefits not found in Medicare, including coverage for deductibles, a drug benefit plan, and wellness or fitness programs. If you select Medicare Advantage HMO, it is an alternative to your Medicare coverage. Out-of-pocket costs are typically lower than PPO plans.
A Medicare PFFS Plan is a type of Medicare Advantage Plan offered by a private insurance company. The plan determines how much it will pay doctors, other health care providers, and hospitals, and how much you must pay when you get care. Plans feature limits on out-of-pocket expenses, coverage for emergency and urgent care, and in some cases, a prescription drug benefit. If you select a PFFS plan, it is an alternative to your Medicare coverage. You can go to any Medicare-approved doctor, other health care provider or hospital that accepts the plan’s payment terms and agrees to treat you.
A Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (sometimes called PDP) adds drug coverage to Original Medicare and some Medicare Cost Plans, some Medicare Private Fee-for Service (PFFS) Plans, and Medicare Medical Account (MSA) Plans. Each Medicare Prescription Drug Plan has its own list of covered drugs (called a formulary). Many Medicare drug plans place drugs into different “tiers” on their formularies. Drugs in each tier have a different cost. Medicare prescription drug coverage provides protection for people who have very high drug costs or from unexpected prescription drug bills in the future.
A Medicare Supplement Insurance plan (Medigap) can help cover some of the costs that are left unpaid after Medicare Parts A and B pay their portion of your healthcare expenses. Unlike a Medicare Advantage plan, which is an alternative to your Medicare Part A and B benefits, a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan is purchased in addition to your Medicare Part A and B benefits.
Medicare Supplement policies are standardized into 10 plans – labeled “A” through “N”, each with its own set of benefits. All policies offer the same basic benefits but some offer additional benefits.
Medicare Supplement Insurance policies are sold by private insurance companies. While the costs of these policies may vary, individual insurance companies must provide the same standardized benefits. Some companies may offer additional benefits. To purchase a policy, in general you must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B. In addition to paying the monthly Medicare Part B premium, you will have to pay a premium to the insurance company providing your Medicare Supplement coverage.
Look at the “Is Entitled To” section of your red, white, and blue Medicare card. If you have Part A, “HOSPITAL (PART A)” is printed on your card. If you have Part B, “MEDICAL (PART B)” is printed on your card.
Medicare Parts A and B (managed by the government)
Medicare Advantage Plans (sponsored by the government and offered by private insurance companies)
Benefits
Premium
Types of plans
Billing procedures
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
7500 Security Blvd.
Baltimore, MD 21244-1850
1-800-633-4227
TTY 1-877-486-2048
24 hours a day; seven days a week
www.medicare.gov
Social Security Administration
Office of Public Inquires
Windsor Park Blvd.
6401 Security Blvd.
Baltimore, MD 21235
1-800-772-1213
TTY 1-800-325-0778
7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
www.ssa.gov
There are four parts to Medicare:
Medicare Part A is hospital insurance – including hospital stays, rehabilitative nursing facilities, home healthcare, and hospice. Most people don’t have to pay a premium for Part A because it was prepaid through their payroll tax while they were working.
Medicare Part B is medical insurance – including doctors’ services and outpatient care. There is a monthly premium for Part B. If you don’t sign up for Part B when you first become eligible at age 65 or when you have been disabled for two years and you decide you need to join in the future, you may have to pay a penalty for each year you didn’t belong.
Medicare Part C is the Medicare Advantage Plan. With this option, you can opt to have your Medicare Parts A and B provided by a private insurance company.
Medicare Part D is prescription drug coverage. In one way, Part D is like Part B: If you don’t join at age 65, you may have to pay a penalty when you do join.
Medicare covers hospital costs under Part A and medical costs like doctor’s office visits under Part B. Medicare Part D provides benefits for prescription drugs obtained at a pharmacy – a growing part of many peoples’ healthcare budgets.
Prescription drug plan coverage differs from Medicare in two ways: (1) It is available only through private insurance companies and (2) you should use in-network pharmacies to take full advantage of your coverage.
Generally, we advise people to sign up for Medicare when they’re first eligible to avoid a gap in coverage and/or late enrollment penalties. For most people, the Initial Enrollment Period lasts 7 months: it starts 3 months before the month you turn 65, includes your birthday month, and ends 3 months after it. Some people get Medicare automatically.
A Medicare Advantage health plan, sometimes called Part C or MA Plan, is an alternative to Medicare Parts A and B. Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private companies approved by Medicare and provide all of your Medicare Part A and Part B coverage. These plans offer emergency and urgent care, limits on out-of-pocket expenses and some offer extra benefits such as dental, vision, hearing and/or health and wellness programs. Most MA plans offer prescription drug coverage. The most common types of Medicare Advantage plans include:
At any stage in life, finding the right health insurance plan for you — and your family — is important. If you’re looking for individual and family plans and you’re under 65, there are many options to consider, depending on your situation.
For most health insurance plans, you can choose a plan or make changes to a plan you already have during open enrollment. That’s the most common time to get a health insurance plan. However, you can get certain plans like short term insurance or Medicaid at any time during the year.
When you’ve chosen the plan you want, you can enroll. The details of how to enroll will depend on the type of plan. You’ll usually give information about yourself, and other family members covered under your plan. You’ll also review the costs and benefits you’ve chosen.
A dental insurance plan works like a health insurance plan. You’ll pay a monthly amount to buy the plan (your premium). Most plans have a deductible, which is the amount you pay for covered services before your plan starts paying. Once you’ve met your deductible, you’ll usually pay for a percentage of covered services (coinsurance) or a fixed amount (copay). Your insurance plan typically pays for the rest, up to an annual maximum amount. A waiting period may apply for some services.
Term life insurance pays designated beneficiaries a lump sum if you die within the selected policy term. If you choose to add a Critical Illness Benefit to your policy and are diagnosed with a qualifying illness, you’ll receive a cash benefit according to the terms of your policy.
The money is paid to you and can be used as you wish. The benefit amount received from the Critical Illness Benefit will be subtracted from your term life insurance policy benefit.
