Medicare
When you start considering the various health care plans, you may want to think about getting Medicare - if you are a senior citizen. This government sponsored low cost health insurance, which started in 1965, may be the help you need to have your health needs covered. Here are some of the details of the Medicare program.
In order to qualify for this health insurance plan you need to be at least 65 years of age, and have worked with a job that withdrew Medicare funds. Other individuals that may qualify are those who are younger but have disabilities, or those who have end stage kidney failure and are receiving dialysis or a kidney. Others must be receiving disability benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board. The benefits are not enough to fully cover your medical expenses, nor does it cover most long-term care.
Hospital Benefits - Part A
This benefit is what working all those years and having Medicare funds withdrawn automatically from your paycheck primarily paid for. Most people do not need to pay anything in order to get this benefit when they turn 65 or older. Others will pay a prorated fee in accordance with number of years worked. It will help to cover inpatient hospital care, professional nursing home care, hospice care, and will provide some preventive medical care. You will pay for part of the bill in the way of copay, a deductible, or coinsurance. It will not pay for any custodial care or long term care.
Medical Insurance - Part B
In order to benefit from this part of the program, everyone pays a monthly premium of $88.50. It is intended to cover the things that are not covered in Part A of the Medicare plan. The government provided this low cost health insurance to handle your doctors' services, any outpatient hospital care, and other medical needs. Various devices to increase your mobility is included in this - anything from canes to wheelchairs and scooters, etc. While this part is optional, it should be noted that there is a lifetime penalty of 10% per year if you are not working.
Medicare Advantage Plans - Part C
An option to the Medicare Parts A and B came about for those who wanted to opt to get their Medicare through their own private health insurance plans. Earlier this program was known as Medicare+Choice, and Part C plans. After a program revision in 2003, it is now known as Medicare Advantage (MA) and offers comparable coverage to Parts A and B, and some plans may include Part D.
Prescription Drug Plans - Part D
This part of the program went into effect in the beginning of 2006. Anyone who has either parts A or B is eligible for the Prescription Drug Plan (PD). Because this is a stand-alone program, in order to get the benefits, you need to enroll in either a Part C program that has the prescription drugs coverage, or directly into Part D.
Medigap
This program, which has recently seen some additions (2006) is designed to cover those "gaps" in Medicare that are not covered in Parts A and B. Primarily, this deals with the copay, the deductible and the coinsurance. These plans change often, are rather detailed, and may be partly based on your geographic area. The amount of additional benefits to your health insurance coverage that you can get depends on your ability to pay.
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Free Health Insurance Quotes
By comparing health plans with other rates, you should be able to find the right plan. You can get your free health insurance quotes at the following sites:
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