Medicare
Medicare is health insurance for people age 65 or older, under age 65 with certain disabilities, and
any age with permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant. Medicare covers
certain medical services and items in hospitals and other settings.
- Medicare Part A helps to cover inpatient care in hospitals and skilled nursing
facilities. It
also helps cover hospice and home health care. Most people automatically get Part A coverage
without having to pay a monthly payment.
- Medicare Part B helps cover medical care like doctors’ services, outpatient
care, some preventive services and other items and services. Part B is optional and you pay a
monthly premium for this coverage.
- Medicare Advantage Plans are health plan options that are approved by Medicare and run by private
companies. These options are Medicare Part C and they are a different way of
getting Medicare coverage than traditional Medicare.
- These plans include Part A and Part B coverage, extra benefits, and may include prescription drug
coverage.
- Medicare Part D is outpatient prescription drug coverage that is provided by companies
approved by Medicare. Part D is optional and you usually pay a monthly premium to get coverage.
- If your income is low, you may be eligible for programs that pay the Part B premium, deductibles
and co-insurances and co-payments. You may also be eligible for help with Part D out-of-pocket
costs. For more information contact your local Department of Health and Human Services office,
area agency on aging or Legal Services for the Elderly.
Call the Social Security Administration several months before you turn age 65 to make sure you get
enrolled in the Medicare program. Contact information for the local Social
Security offices.
If you have any questions about the Medicare program, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227.
How to Report Medicare Fraud
