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Frequently Asked Questions About Medicare
What is Medicare?
Medicare is the government-run health insurance program for those age 65 and older or those under 65 with certain disabilities. Medicare is the largest health insurance plan in the country with more than 40 million Americans participating.
How do you determine if you are eligible for Medicare?
Can you answer YES to at least one of the following statements?
•
I am 65 years of age or older.
I am 65 years of age or older.•I am under 65, but I have certain disabilities.
I am under 65, but I have certain disabilities.•I have End-Stage Renal Disease (kidney failure that requires a transplant or dialysis).
I have End-Stage Renal Disease (kidney failure that requires a transplant or dialysis). If so, it is likely that you are eligible for Medicare benefits.
Quick Facts on Medicare
•Generally, a person can enroll in Medicare three months before and after their 65th birthday. You are known as a Medicare "beneficiary."
Generally, a person can enroll in Medicare three months before and after their 65th birthday. You are known as a Medicare "beneficiary."•You should receive your Medicare card automatically if you are receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits.
You should receive your Medicare card automatically if you are receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits.•You can enroll in Medicare through the Social Security Administration by calling 1-800-772-1213.
You can enroll in Medicare through the Social Security Administration by calling 1-800-772-1213.•Medicare has enrollment periods. You must enroll when you are eligible, however, if you are working you may delay enrollment in some situations.
Medicare has enrollment periods. You must enroll when you are eligible, however, if you are working you may delay enrollment in some situations.•You do not have to be currently receiving Social Security benefits to sign up for Medicare. They are separate benefits.
You do not have to be currently receiving Social Security benefits to sign up for Medicare. They are separate benefits.•You may not need all parts of Medicare if you have insurance from your employer and plan to continue working.
You may not need all parts of Medicare if you have insurance from your employer and plan to continue working.•September: Medicare & You Handbooks are mailed to all beneficiaries.
September: Medicare & You Handbooks are mailed to all beneficiaries.•October: Medicare Tool Finder data renewed.
October: Medicare Tool Finder data renewed.•There have been many changes to the Medicare programs and an agent who specializes in Medicare can help you understand your options.
There have been many changes to the Medicare programs and an agent who specializes in Medicare can help you understand your options. What does Medicare cover?
The Four Parts of Medicare
Part A and Part B together make up Original Medicare. The federal government manages the Original Medicare plan. Unless someone specifically elects a different option, they will be enrolled in the Original Medicare plan.
Medicare has four parts:
Part A - Hospital Insurance
Part A covers Hospitalization (after a deductible), some inpatient care in skilled nursing facilities, hospice and other inpatient needs. Some home health care are also covered by Part A.
Part B - Medical Insurance
Some of the benefits of Part B are medically necessary doctor services, outpatient surgery, physical therapy, home health care, medical equipment and other medically necessary benefits.
Part C - Medicare Advantage Plan
These plans are provided through private insurance companies approved by Medicare. These plans provide a higher level of benefits than found in Original Medicare with low premiums and copays. For example, additional benefits may include coverage for comprehensive routine annual physical exams, dental, vision and routine foot care and gym memberships. Plans include an out-of-pocket annual maximum to protect a person from catastrophic illness. Medicare Advantage plans are available with and without prescription drug coverage, Part D.
Part D - Prescription Drug Coverage
Part D of Medicare provides outpatient prescription drug coverage. It can be purchased as a standalone program with a separate premium, or can be included in a Medicare Advantage plan. Plans are offered by private insurance companies and vary in price, benefit design, and the drugs included on their approved drug list. You can choose from many options to find the drug plan that is best suited to your needs.
What Does Medicare Cost?
PART A: Most Medicare beneficiaries do not pay a premium for Part A coverage. It is financed through federal payroll taxes paid into the Medicare Trust Fund by employers and employees.
PART B: Beneficiaries generally pay a premium for Part B on a sliding scale based on income. The monthly premium is deducted from the person's Social Security check or, if a person is not receiving Social Security, a statement is sent quarterly.
PART C: Because Part C (Medicare Advantage plan) combines the benefits of Part A and Part B, beneficiaries who elect a Medicare Advantage plan still pay Part B premiums in addition to the any Medicare Advantage plan premium, if any.
PART D: Each plan has a monthly premium. There are also out-of-pocket expenses throughout a calendar year. These expenses are based on a four-phase system each plan must follow each year. The four phases are: the Deductible; the Initial Coverage Period; the Coverage Gap; and the Catastrophic Benefit Period. An experienced agent can walk you through the different phases, and explain their costs.
What are my options to help cover the costs of Original Medicare?
Medicare plans do not pay all expenses. You may incur co-insurance, co-pays, deductibles and premiums. If you have Original Medicare, you may choose to buy a Medicare supplement policy to help with these costs. Depending on the policy you select, your policy may cover deductibles and coinsurance under Original Medicare in full.
Medicare Advantages plans have lower premiums or no premiums. They include copays and, in some plans, coinsurance. All plans have an annual maximum out of pocket maximum.
Enrolling in a Medigap plan, Medicare Advantage, or Part D plan requires completing an application. The Medigap application may require health information if you are outside your initial eligibility period. Enrollment in Medigap can be completed at any time of the year. However, if you apply after the time you are initially eligible, you may have to answer health questions to be approved and your premiums may be higher.
Medicare Advantage Plans and Part D Plans have their own enrollment periods. If these enrollment periods are missed, you may have to wait until the annual Medicare Enrollment period that is in the fall of each year. The effective date will be the following January 1.
What Steps Should I Follow When Enrolling Onto Medicare?
If you are turning 65 and/or new to Medicare, the first thing you need to do is decide if you need to enroll in Medicare. If yes, you need to review Original Medicare. Your options for covering the out of pocket Original Medicare expenses are a supplement or a Medicare Advantage Plan, or a company retiree plan. If you decide you want a supplement plan, you also need to find what prescription drug plan is best for you.
Making these decisions may seem complicated. An agent licensed and certified to sell Medicare Plans, can help you understand the differences in plans and help you enroll in a plan at no cost to you.
Have more questions regarding Medicare? Call us today and one of our Health Insurance Specialists can answer all of your questions.
The information on this web site may change without notice. Even though every care has been taken, sometimes information may be incorrect or become out of date which Parisi Insurance Agency holds no responsibility for. All materials posted here are "As Is" and without implied or express warranties. Parisi Insurance Agency cannot guarantee that functions on this site will be without interruption or error, that defects will be corrected, or that this site or its server are free of viruses or other harmful elements. Parisi Insurance Agency takes no responsibility for information obtained by a third party that has linked to this site or from this site.
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Call today! 1-800-358-5868
Navigating the complexities of Medicare coverage and medical expenses can be difficult. Luckily, we have friendly and experienced agents that can make the process easy for you. Call today and discuss your options with our Medicare specialists. We can help you find an affordable plan that suits your medical needs. If you would like to browse through plans a get a quote yourself, click below. Once you have found a plan, you can apply online or print out the application to send by mail.
