Medicare BY KARMEN GREGG What is Medicare Medicare
Medicare BY, KARMEN GREGG
What is Medicare? Medicare is: “Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people who are 65 or older, certain younger people with disabilities, and people with End. Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant, sometimes called ESRD). ” Sourced from: http: //www. medicare. gov/sign-up-change-plans/decide-how-to-get-medicare/whats-medicare/what-is-medicare. html
Different Part of Medicare Cover Specific Services �Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance): “Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some health care. ” �Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) : “Part B covers certain doctors' services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services. ” Sourced from: http: //www. medicare. gov/sign-up-change-plans/decide-how-to-get-medicare/whats-medicare/what-is-medicare. html
�Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage Plans): “A Medicare Advantage Plan is a type of Medicare health plan offered by a private company that contracts with Medicare to provide you with all your Part A and Part B benefits. Medicare Advantage Plans include Health Maintenance Organizations, Preferred Provider Organizations, Private Fee-for-Service Plans, Special Needs Plans, and Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans. If you're enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, Medicare services are covered through the plan and aren't paid for under Original Medicare. Most Medicare Advantage Plans offer prescription drug coverage. ” Sourced from: http: //www. medicare. gov/sign-up-change-plans/decide-how-to-get-medicare/whats-medicare/what-is-medicare. html
�Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage): “Part D adds prescription drug coverage to Original Medicare, some Medicare Cost Plans, some Medicare Private-Fee-for-Service Plans, and Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans. These plans are offered by insurance companies and other private companies approved by Medicare Advantage Plans may also offer prescription drug coverage that follows the same rules as Medicare Prescription Drug Plans. ” � Sourced from: http: //www. medicare. gov/sign-up-change-plans/decide-how-to-get-medicare/whats-medicare/what-is-medicare. html
How do You Apply for Medicare? Good news you can apply online! � “It’s convenient, quick and easy. There’s no need to drive to a local Social Security office or wait for an appointment with a Social Security representative. � Use our online application to sign up for Medicare. It takes less than 10 minutes. In most cases, once your application is submitted electronically, you’re done. There are no forms to sign and usually no documentation is required. Social Security will process your application and contact you if we need more information. Otherwise you’ll receive your Medicare card in the mail. � Medicare is managed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Social Security works with CMS by enrolling people in Medicare. ” � The online application is found on this URL: https: //secure. ssa. gov/i. CLM/rib Sourced from: http: //www. socialsecurity. gov/medicareonly/
When should I Apply Medicare? � “If you are already getting Social Security retirement or disability benefits or railroad retirement checks, you will be contacted a few months before you become eligible for Medicare and given the information you need. If you live in one of the 50 states or Washington, D. C. , you will be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B automatically. However, because you must pay a premium for Part B coverage, you have the option of turning it down. ” OR � “If you are not already getting retirement benefits, you should contact us about three months before your 65 th birthday to sign up for Medicare. You can sign up for Medicare even if you do not plan to retire at age 65. ” Sourced from: http: //www. socialsecurity. gov/pubs/media/pdf/EN-05 -10043. pdf
What is the difference between Medicare and Medicaid? “You may think that Medicaid and Medicare the same. Actually, they are two different programs. Medicaid is a state-run program that provides hospital and medical coverage for people with low income and little or no resources. Each state has its own rules about who is eligible and what is covered under Medicaid. Some people qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. ” Sourced from: http: //www. socialsecurity. gov/pubs/media/pdf/EN-05 -10043. pdf
Idaho’s Medicare In Idaho in 2012: • 77% of people with Medicare have access to a Medicare Advantage plan that doesn’t charge a premium • 33 Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs) available • 88% of people with Part D have access to a plan with a lower premium than what they paid in 2011 • 30% of people with Medicare Part D get Extra Help (also called the low-income subsidy, or LIS) • 15 PDPs have $0 deductibles • $15. 10 is the lowest monthly premium for a prescription drug plan • $67. 50 is the lowest monthly premium for a prescription drug plan with coverage for generic drugs in the coverage gap • 12 PDPs have a premium of $0 for people who qualify for Extra Help Plan costs and coverage change each year, so all people with Medicare should check to make sure their plan still meets their health needs and budget. There may be a Medicare health or drug plan available with better coverage or a lower premium in 2012. Sourced from: http: //www. medicare. org/state-resources/item/246 -idaho-medicare. html
How do I find a Medicare Doctor? Medicare has a list of approved Medicare physicians on their web site: � You can search by: � Doctor’s name � Zip Code � City � County � State � Once you do the initial search by any of the above categories, you would then select a specialty (for example, ‘oncology’), and then a sub-specialty if there is one (such as ‘oncology-radiology’). The Doctor’s Directory is: http: //www. medicare. gov/find-adoctor/provider-search. aspx Sourced from: http: //www. medicarebenefits. com/find-a-medicare-doctor/
References: � http: //www. medicarebenefits. com/find-a-medicare- doctor/ � http: //www. medicare. org/state-resources/item/246 -idahomedicare. html � http: //www. socialsecurity. gov/pubs/media/pdf/EN-0510043. pdf � http: //www. socialsecurity. gov/medicareonly/ � http: //www. medicare. gov/sign-up-change-plans/decidehow-to-get-medicare/whats-medicare/what-ismedicare. html
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