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What Your Medicare Plan Covers
Author David Schneider | May 23,2007
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When you turn 65 you immediately become eligible to receive Medicare, as long as you have worked the necessary years. Medicare is the government's health care program that is for senior citizens and it is arranged in four main parts. This gives a degree of flexibility, but not all services are free. Here are some of the details of Medicare to let you know what it covers.
Who Qualifies?
Apart from those who turn 65, those who have End Stage Renal Disease (kidney failure) and are on dialysis also qualify. Others that are disabled and those who have Lou Gehrig's Disease may also receive it before they turn 65.
What Does It Cover?
Medicare comes in four different parts. Each of these cover different things and parts B, C, and D are optional.
* Medicare Part A - Hospital Benefits
This part is free. This is what you have worked so long for and saw that amount deducted every time you were paid. Now you get to enjoy it. It should be noted that although it may pay for much of your hospital care, that it does not pay all of it. In general, though, it takes care of your inpatient hospital stays, a professional nursing home stay after being in the hospital (not long term care), some of your home health care and hospice care. You will pay co-pay, coinsurance or a deductible with any care you receive.
* Medicare Part B - Medical Insurance
This part covers most everything not covered by part A. You will pay a monthly fee for it, and everyone pays the same amount - currently $93.50 for 2007. This takes care of your doctor's office visits, testing (such as x-rays and lab work), outpatient services and home health care. There is also a yearly deductible.
* Medicare Part C - Medicare Advantage Plus
When you want to receive your Medicare benefits through your own private health plan, then you enroll in part C. It will provide you either with a managed care program such as an HMO or a PPO, or you can also get a Private Fee For Service Plan (PFFS). The coverage is comparable to what you would have under parts A and B, and some plans include part D.
* Medicare Part D - Prescription Drug Plans
These Drug Plans come in three tiers. They are based on how much you pay each month, and this will also determine how much copay or deductible there is for you. If you are enrolled in part C, you need to either be sure that your plan has a prescription coverage plan, or you can still enroll in part D to get it.
What About Additional Coverage?
If you should want more coverage than what is in parts A and B, you can also get Medicare Supplement Insurance. It is important that you know that Medicare parts A and B do not pay 100 percent of the bills. There are limitations, or "gaps" that could leave you with a rather hefty bill. Medicare Supplement Insurance provides for many of the gaps, but it is based on how much you want to pay.
Medicare is a great way to be covered for those who are legally in the United States, and have worked the necessary number of years. Once you turn 65, you cannot be turned down, and you will not have higher rates because of some pre-existing medical conditions. It is possible that you may pay more if you turn 65 and did not work the years required to receive full benefits. If you are near enrollment age, then you need to know that you should start looking into applying, because there are windows that are small (3 months), and missing them could mean paying more for part B.
Finding out the various plans that are available in your area can be done quickly - you don't even have to go anywhere. All you need to do is to go to QuoteMatch.com and enter your information to get started. Once you have done that, then you will get several quotes from Medicare insurance brokers who will give you their best quotes. Choose the plan you want then, and let your Medicare coverage start. |
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