MEDICARE PART ABCD HOW TO

By better understanding their health care coverage, readers may hopefully learn how to limit their out-of-pocket Medicare spending and access quality medical care.Ĭhristian’s passion for his role stems from his desire to make a difference in the senior community. His articles are read by thousands of older Americans each month. Christian is well-known in the insurance industry for the thousands of educational articles he’s written, helping Americans better understand their health insurance and Medicare coverage.Ĭhristian’s work as a Medicare expert has appeared in several top-tier and trade news outlets including Forbes, MarketWatch, WebMD and Yahoo! Finance.Ĭhristian has written hundreds of articles for that teach Medicare beneficiaries the best practices for navigating Medicare. He is also a licensed health insurance agent. To learn more about your Medicare options - Part A, B, C or D - and to learn more about the benefits that might be available in Medicare Advantage plans in your area, call today to speak with a licensed insurance agent.Ĭhristian Worstell is a senior Medicare and health insurance writer with. You can compare Part D plans available where you live and enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan online in as little as 10 minutes when you visit. If you're looking for Medicare prescription drug coverage, you can consider enrolling in a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MA-PD) plan or Medicare Part D plan. Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs) can be purchased as stand-alone plans from private insurers in addition to Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage plans that don’t offer drug coverage. Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D) helps cover your prescription drug costs. Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D) With a Medicare Advantage plan, you must pay your Part B premium in addition to the plan premium. They may have different premiums and out-of-pocket costs than Original Medicare. You need to enroll in Part A and Part B to sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan.īecause private insurance companies offer Medicare Advantage plans, costs can vary between policies. Medicare beneficiaries have the option of receiving health care benefits through either Medicare Advantage or Original Medicare - but not both. If you’re eligible for Medicare Part A and Part B, and do not have ESRD, you can join a Medicare Advantage Plan. Medicare Advantage plans may also offer benefits not covered by Original Medicare. The only exception is hospice care, which is still covered by Medicare Part A. It allows you to receive Part A and Part B benefits - and in many cases, other benefits - from a private health insurance plan.Īt the very least, your Medicare Advantage plan must offer the same benefits as Original Medicare. Medicare Advantage (Part C) is an alternative to Original Medicare. If you worked for a railroad, you’ll need to contact the Railroad Retirement Board for information on enrollment. If you’re eligible for Medicare but don’t qualify for automatic enrollment, you can apply online, over the phone or in person at your local Social Security office. If you have end-stage renal disease (ESRD), you must manually enroll. ALS patients are automatically enrolled in Medicare coverage when their Social Security disability benefits begin, regardless of age.If you’re under 65, it’s the 25th month you receive disability benefits. If you’re already receiving Social Security or railroad retirement benefits - you’ll be enrolled in Part A and Part B automatically on your 65th birthday.Some people qualify for automatic enrollment, and others have to enroll. Have been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS).Have received Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) disability benefits for 24 months.There are exceptions made to the age requirement for those with disabilities and End-Stage Renal Disease.įor those younger than 65, you are only eligible to receive Medicare benefits if you: Generally, you become eligible to receive Medicare benefits when you turn 65 years old ― assuming you meet certain citizenship or residency requirements. Medicare Part B is “optional” medical insurance that covers a range of outpatient services - including physician and specialist office visits, preventive care, lab work, medical equipment, physical therapy, mental health care and wellness visits. Medicare Part A covers hospital care, including, skilled nursing facilities, hospice, and some home health care. It is divided into two parts: Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance).

Original Medicare - sometimes referred to as “traditional” Medicare - is administered by the federal government. Either path can include prescription drug coverage (Part D).

Medicare part abcd