Understanding Medicare
Medicare is a government health insurance program that has four parts: A, B, C and D. The program was designed to help seniors and people with certain disabilities pay for healthcare in the United States.
Medicare Part A
Medicare Part A is hospital insurance that is premium-free for most people. Most individuals become eligible for Medicare Part A as soon as they turn 65. Medicare Part A helps to cover:
- Inpatient hospital care
- Skilled nursing facility care
- Inpatient care in a skilled nursing facility
- Hospice care
- Some home healthcare
It is important to note that under Medicare Part A, the maximum facility stay per ailment is 100 days. The first 20 days are covered by Medicare; the following 80 days require a co-pay. If you need to stay longer than 100 days, those costs will come out of pocket.
Medicare Part B
Medicare Part B is a medical insurance in which you pay a monthly premium and yearly deductible. You may sign up for Medicare Part B during the 7 month period beginning 3 months before you turn 65. Medicare Part B helps to cover:
- Doctor visits
- Lab tests and X-rays
- Emergency ambulance services
- Mental health services
- Durable medical equipment
- Preventive services
- Rehabilitative services
It is important to note that in order for these services and supplies to be covered by Medicare Part B, they must be deemed medically necessary.
Medicare Part C
Medicare Part C is also known as Medicare Advantage Plans, which are managed by private health insurance companies that have been approved by Medicare. These Medicare Advantage Plans provide all of your Medicare Part A and B coverage, as well as other benefits (such as vision, dental, hearing, etc.). You may have to see certain doctors and visit certain hospitals within a network to receive care.
Medicare Part D
Medicare Part D provides prescription drug coverage, helping to lower prescription costs and protect eligible individuals from increased prescription costs in the future. Medicare Part D offsets the cost of drugs that are prescribed to an individual by a doctor or specialist.
What Are the Basic Qualifications for Medicare?
In order to qualify for Medicare, you:
- Must be a legal resident of the United States for the past 5 years, and
- Must be 65 years of age or older and eligible for Social Security, or
- May be under 65 with a specified disability or certain health conditions, or
- May be any age with End-Stage Renal Disease, or
- Have ALS