Medicare Advantage Plans California Medicare Supplement » Traditional Medicare

How Do I Enroll in Medicare?

hains — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 23:54:57 +0000

If you are new to Medicare, you can follow these easy steps to help to prepare for your Medicare enrollment.

1. Determine Your Eligibility

The first step you need to take for Medicare enrollment is to find out if you are eligible. You should meet the eligibility requirements if you can answer yes to one of the following questions:

Are you age 65 or older?
Are you under 65 with certain disabilities?
Do you have End-Stage Renal Disease (kidney failure that requires transplant or dialysis)?

If you already receive Social Security Benefits, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part A and B the month you turn 65. Three months prior to your birth date you should be receiving your Medicare card in the mail.

If you want to opt out of Part B coverage, you will need to follow the instructions with your Medicare card.

If you not receive Social Security Benefits, you will not be automatically enrolled. You need to apply at the beginning of your seven-month initial enrollment period (90 days prior to your 65th birthday) to make sure your coverage start date will not be delayed. At this time you have also the option to apply for Social Security Benefits.

2. Get Information

Once you have determined that you are eligible for Medicare, you should gather all of your personal documentation and information on your current health care and/or prescription drug coverage in order to find out if your current coverage will work with Medicare.
Make a list of the drugs you currently use, your desired coverage, the maximum premium you can afford so you can compare and select the coverage that will best meet your future needs.

3. Select A Medicare Plan

Learn how Medicare works, and familiarize yourself with each Medicare Plan (Part A, Part B, Part C, and Part D). Carefully consider each plan with your current and possible future personal needs in mind. Enroll in the Medicare program that best suits your needs.

4. Determine If You Qualify for Additional Programs

Unfortunately, Medicare does not cover all medical costs such as co-insurance, co-payments, deductibles, or services not covered by a Medicare plan. The good news is that there are several other programs like Medicaid, Medigap, etc. which provide additional coverage. Research, and find out whether you are eligible. If you are, apply to them in order to maximize your coverage and reduce your health care worries.

A Basic Understanding Of Medicare

hains — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 23:25:53 +0000

Medicare is a federal health insurance program designed for people who are 65 and older and for people with certain disabilities. There are four parts of Medicare which provide medical and prescription drug coverage.

Medicare Part A
(Hospital Insurance)
Medicare Part A includes care in hospitals as inpatient, critical access hospitals (these are small facilities that give limited outpatient and inpatient services to people in rural areas), skilled nursing facilities, hospice care and some home health care. If you are entitled to Part A, there is no monthly or annual insurance premium charge. There may be a charge for most health care services.

Medicare Part B
(Medical Insurance)
Medicare Part B pays for doctor’s services, outpatient hospital care and some other medical services that Part A doesn’t cover, such as the services of physical and occupational therapists as well as some home health care. Part B helps pay for these covered services and supplies when they are medically necessary. If you are enrolled in Part B, you must pay a monthly premium, which is typically deducted directly from your Social Security check.

Medicare Part C
(Medicare Advantage Plans)
Under Medicare Part C, the federal government contracts with private insurance companies to administer Medicare benefits through Medicare Advantage plans. Participation in a Medicare Advantage plan is optional and available to Medicare beneficiaries who have Medicare Part A and B. With Medicare Part C, you generally pay lower co-payments and get additional benefits such as coverage for extra days in the hospital, though this will vary depending upon the plan.

Medicare Part D
(Prescription Drug Coverage)
In addition to hospital and doctor insurance, you also have the option to purchase Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D), which helps you cover your prescription costs. This prescription drug benefit is voluntary, but if you don’t enroll when you first become eligible, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty if you choose to sign up at a later date. You can get Part D coverage by itself or as part of a Medicare Advantage Plan.

Am I Eligible For Medicare?

hains — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 23:17:59 +0000

Generally, you are eligible for Medicare if you or your spouse worked for at least 10 years in Medicare-covered employment, you are 65 years old, and you are a citizen or permanent resident of the United States. You might also qualify for coverage if you are a younger person with a permanent disability or with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), permanent kidney failure, requiring dialysis or transplant.

You can find out more about eligibility and enrollment at the Government’s website.