What is Medicare?

Medicare is health insurance for people 65 years or older, under age 65 with certain disabilities, and any age with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or Lou Gehrig's disease.

Medicare benefits are provided in four parts:

PART A - Hospital Services

• Hospital
• Skilled Nursing
• Home Health
• Hospice

Medicare Part A helps pay for inpatient hospital care, selected skilled nursing facilities, hospice care, and some home health care. Medicare Part A is premium-free for most people.
 

PART B - Professional Services

• Physicians
• Outpatient Hospital Services
• Durable Medical Equipment

Medicare Part B covers doctors office visits, both primary care and specialists. Premiums are paid through payroll deduction. You are eligible to sign up at age 65. Most beneficiaries do pay a monthly premium to be covered under Medicare Part B – the part that helps pay for doctors, outpatient hospital care, and certain other health care that Part A doesn't cover, such as physical and     occupational therapy.
 

PART C - Medicare Advantage

• Services covered by Part A and Part B

You must be in Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B to be eligible for Medicare Part C. Medicare Part C is from private insurers. This will replace Medicare A and Medicare B and will add more benefits than typical Medicare Part A and Part B. It can be an HMO (a Health Maintenance Organization), PFFS (Private Fee For Service), or a PPO (Preferred Provider Organization). There are many options for the services you can receive through Medicare Part C.  You will have the option to select what is right for you. The following Medicare site offers an excellent book to help you choose and plan your package. (www.medicare.gov).

PART D  - Prescription Drug Coverage

•  Provides insurance coverage for prescription medications

Medicare Part D is the prescription drug plan that is handled through private insurance sectors. This was added in 2006 to give Medicare patients a plan to cover prescription medications. You will select it either separately or as part of your Medicare Part C plan. Depending on where you live, you may have different options for services covered by Medicare. When you enroll in Medicare, you may want to consider adding a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, or a Medicare Advantage Plan (HMO or PPO) that covers Medicare Part A, Medicare Part B, and often Medicare Part D coverage.

To learn more about Medicare, www.medicare.gov