What is Medicare?

You may find yourself asking, what is Medicare? Medicare is a federally-run health insurance program for Americans age 65 and over or who meet particular eligibility criteria.

Medicare consists of four parts. However, additional options are available for those who want a higher level of coverage.

Medicare can be confusing if you are not adequately educated. That is where we come in. Below, we review the four parts of Medicare and how they work together to provide healthcare coverage.

Medicare Definition

Medicare is defined as federal health insurance for people 65 or older, those younger than 65 with disabilities, and those with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or end-stage renal disease.

Original Medicare, Part A and Part B,  make up Original Medicare. These parts are inpatient hospital coverage and medical coverage, respectively. Additionally, Medicare Part C and Part D provide benefits to help Medicare resemble group or employer coverage. Medicare Part C can include dental or vision coverage, while Medicare Part D is prescription drug coverage.

Medicare is the most widely-used healthcare coverage for those over 65. So, if you are nearing eligibility, it is essential to understand what Medicare is and how the four parts work.

However, Medicare does not cover everything. Often, you may need to enroll in additional plans to receive full coverage.

Remember that Medicare Part A does not cover any of the treatments or procedures you receive while in a hospital or nursing facility. This part of Medicare only covers the cost of the facility itself.
When you enroll in Medicare Part A, you are responsible for paying a per-occurrence deductible and daily copays after meeting the deductible.

For most, Medicare Part A has a $0 monthly premium. You qualify for a zero-premium if you have worked at least ten years paying Medicare tax in the United States. Otherwise, you must pay a monthly premium. This premium can be as high as $506 per month in 2023, or, $505 per month in 2024.

Part B of Medicare covers two types of services: preventive and medically necessary. Additionally, Medicare Part B covers durable medical equipment you may need to manage health conditions.

Medicare Part B requires you to meet an annual deductible before you receive coverage. Once you meet your deductible, Medicare Part B will cover 80% of your cost, and you are responsible for the remaining 20%. There is no maximum out-of-pocket amount for Medicare Part B, which means there is no cap on your costs.

Unlike with Medicare Part A, you must pay your Medicare Part B premium every month, regardless of how long you paid Medicare taxes while working. The standard monthly Medicare Part B premium for 2023 is $164.90 and $174.70 in 2024. However, this may be higher, depending on your monthly adjusted gross income.

Medicare Advantage plans combine Medicare Part A and Part B coverage with additional benefits to provide you with an all-in-one plan. However, carriers offering these plans have the authority to choose the copayments, deductibles, and maximum out-of-pocket limits.

Additionally, Medicare Part C can offer benefits like coverage for hearing, vision, and dental care, as well as transportation and gym memberships. These benefits are not available with Original Medicare.

Medicare Part C plans have low premiums – many at $0. However, even with the low monthly premium, you may spend more with Medicare Part C because of high out-of-pocket limits and cost-sharing. Additionally, you will still need to pay the Medicare Part B deductible when you have Medicare Advantage coverage.

If you have Original Medicare, it is essential to sign up for a Medicare Part D plan to receive prescription drug coverage. If you delay enrollment in Medicare Part D and do not have creditable drug coverage, you may need to pay the Medicare Part D penalty in the future.

The average Medicare Part D plan in 2023 costs $31.50 per month. However, plans are available for as low as $5 in some areas. It is crucial to obtain drug coverage, as we never know when we will require medications to maintain our health.

Medicare Supplement plans are federally standardized to match specific criteria. Thus, the same policy – regardless of the carrier – must provide you with the same benefits.

There are 12 available standardized Medicare Supplement plans in most states. However, not every option may be available to you. So, you must ensure you meet the qualifications before enrolling. Each plan has its own set of benefits to help you cover your healthcare costs.

Since Original Medicare only covers 80% of your costs, Medigap plans cover this coverage gap.

Keep in mind that if you enroll in Medicare Part C, you cannot enroll in a Medicare Supplement. Thus, the importance of comparing all available coverage options to ensure you choose the best one for you.

Like Medicare Part C, Medicare Supplement plans have a monthly premium you must pay to continue your coverage each month. Monthly premium prices can range from $50 to $450, depending on the plan.

Services not typically covered by Medicare include:

• Hearing aids and hearing exams
• Most dental care/dentures
• Long-term custodial care
• Routine eye exams/glasses
• Cosmetic surgery
• Acupuncture
• Routine foot care

If you have Original Medicare, you can still enjoy most of these services by enrolling in a stand-alone plan to cover the benefits you desire.

Medicare Eligibility and Enrollment

Not everyone can obtain Medicare coverage. You must meet specific criteria for the federal health program. You must meet at least one of the following:

• Age 65 or older
• Receive Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) for 24 months
• Diagnosed with ALS or ESRD

Additionally, you must be an American citizen for at least five years. Many people automatically enroll in Original Medicare once they turn 65.

However, you may need to enroll yourself in Medicare through the Social Security Administration. If you are not receiving Social Security benefits when you enroll in Medicare, this will be the case for you. You should enroll when you first become eligible to avoid any late enrollment penalties in the future.

How To Find Out More About What Medicare Is

Hopefully, you now feel more familiar with the different parts of Medicare and what each includes. We understand it can be overwhelming and confusing at first, so we're here to help you find the information you or your loved ones need.

Not only are we an online Medicare learning resource, but we can also help you find the best rates for the above types of coverage!

To receive an online premium comparison, call us at the number above. Or, complete our online rate form to find policy prices near you. Our consultation service is free, and we have helped countless people find the best coverage.

We look forward to doing the same for you.

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