Medicare is a federally funded program that provides health insurance for 60 million United States citizens who are age 65 and older or disabled. It is available to most American seniors, regardless of income, current health issues, or medical history. The Medicare system can seem complicated, but all you have to do is choose your coverage options, submit an application and get your benefits.
It can help you pay for many different health-related services including doctor’s appointments, prescription medications, preventative services, nursing facilities, home health aides, hospice, and hospitalizations. When you enroll in Medicare you will have to choose which parts of the program you want to opt into. Learn about Medicare here so you will know what to choose and how to apply quickly and easily!
Medicare is available to most people who are 65 or older in the U.S. Although it is easy to qualify for Medicare, you will have to decide on what kind of coverage you will need.
There are four different parts of the Medicare program, known as Parts A, B, C, and D. Each of these comes with its own set of deductions, services, premiums, and other costs. Here are some general basics about Medicare:
- Part A and Part B are known as Original Medicare.
- Part C is known as Medicare Advantage (MA).
Part A mainly covers inpatient care, which generally refers to any medical help that requires hospitalization. This part of Medicare is federally funded.
Part B mainly covers outpatient care, this refers to medical services that do not require you to stay at a hospital or other facility, such as visits to your doctor’s office. This part of Medicare is also federally funded.
Part C or Medicare Advantage is generally more comprehensive than Original Medicare. It covers everything that is included in Part A and Part B, as well as other services such as dental appointments. Some Part C plans also include prescriptions. This part of Medicare comes from private insurers so you will have to stay in-network if you have Part C coverage.
Part D covers a portion of the costs of prescription medication. This part of Medicare also comes from private insurers.
You also have the option to sign up for a Medigap policy. This type of coverage fills in the cracks of Original Medicare by helping you pay for out-of-pocket fees that Part A & B do not cover.