Medicare Part A
Medicare covers most people age 65 and older. Some younger people who have disabilities, permanent kidney failure or Lou Gehrig’s disease can also qualify for Medicare. Under certain conditions, Medicare will pay some nursing home costs for Medicare beneficiaries who need nursing or rehabilitation services. To be covered, you must receive the services from a Medicare certified skilled nursing home after a qualifying hospital stay. Currently the United States Medicare system is managed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Enrollment in Medicare is automatic for anyone who is turning 65 and who’s already getting Social Security benefits, or who will start getting them at age 65. A Medicare card will be mailed to the individual about three months before the 65th birthday. If a person isn't getting Social Security benefits when he or she turns age 65, then the person will have to sign up for Medicare.
Medicare has consisted of two parts: Hospital Insurance, also known as "Part A," and Supplementary Medical Insurance, also known as "Part B." However, a newer, third part of Medicare, sometimes known as "Part C", is the Medicare Advantage program. More and more people are beginning to use Medicare. While there are currently about 40 million people now enrolled in Medicare, 77 million baby boomers will begin entering Medicare in 2011. To fill in to fill the “gaps” in Medicare Plan coverage, Medicare Supplement Insurance is available.
Medicare Supplement Insurance is health insurance sold by private insurance companies to help pay some of the health care costs that the Original Medicare Plan can’t cover. You may be able to choose up to 12 different standardized policies (Plans A through L). There can be big differences in the charges of various plans for the same basic benefits. he plans are the same with all insurance providers. The monthly premium and the quality of the insurance company are the only variable. The plans do not include Part D drug coverage, but you can enroll in a standalone drug plan for your part D requirement from any insurance company that offers part D.
The Medicare plan that you choose affects many things like cost, benefits, doctor choice, convenience, and quality. To receive Medicare, you need to be eligible for Social Security. If you are 65 or over, this means you have to have worked for a minimum of ten non-consecutive years at a job that withheld Social Security from your pay. People that are under age 65 can receive Social Security sometimes, but they are still not eligible for Medicare until they turn 65.
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