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How to begin.
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Medicare is health insurance offered by the federal government to most people who are 65 and older, to some younger people with disabilities under the age of 65, and people with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant).
There are 4 parts to Medicare:
Most people get Part A automatically when they turn age 65. Most people do not have to pay a monthly premium payment for Part A, because they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes while they were working.
Part A covers hospital bills, inpatient hospital services (i.e., costs associated with an overnight stay in a hospital, skilled nursing facility, or psychiatric hospital, such as charges for the hospital room, meals, and nursing services). Part A also covers hospice care and home health care.
If you (or your spouse) did not pay Medicare taxes while you worked and you are age 65 or older, you still may be able to buy Part A. If you are not sure you have Part A, look on your red, white, and blue Medicare card. It will show "Hospital Part A" on the lower left corner of the card. You can also call the Social Security Administration toll free at 1-800-772-1213 or call your local Social Security office for more information about buying Part A.
Part B is an optional benefit, you chose whether to enroll or not enroll. When you enroll you pay a monthly premium for Part B. You can sign up for Part B anytime during a 7 month period that begins 3 months before you turn 65. Visit your local Social Security office, or call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 to sign up. If you choose to have Part B, the premium is usually taken out of your monthly Social Security, Railroad Retirement, or Civil Service Retirement payment. If you do not get any of the above payments, Medicare sends you a bill for your part B premium you can contact Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213, or your local Social Security office for further information.
Part B covers physician care -- whether received as an inpatient at a hospital or at a doctor's office, or as an outpatient at a hospital or other health care facility -- as well as laboratory tests, physical therapy or rehabilitation services, and ambulance service.
Medicare Part C is the alternative to receiving traditional Medicare Parts A & B. Medicare Part C programs are voluntary and it permits contracts between the centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and a variety of different managed care and fee for service plans. When you enroll in Part C you are waiving Medicare Parts A & B.
Medicare Part D works in conjunction with Medicare Parts A and B. Individuals entitled to Part A or enrolled in Part B can sign up for Part D to receive help paying for prescription drugs. Once you enroll, you will pay a monthly premium, you will also pay a part of the cost of your prescriptions, including a co-pay or coinsurance. Costs will vary depending on which drug plan you choose
Medicare Part D is an optional plan. No one is required to enroll but if you are eligible and delay enrolling during the open enrollment period you risk paying a penalty in terms of increased insurance premiums when and if you enroll at a later date.
Once enrolled in a Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan individuals can only change their plan from October 15 to December 7 of each year, with an effective date of January 1 of the following year.