What is Medicare?

Medicare is a federal health insurance program through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The Social Security Administration started Medicare to help people pay for their health costs if they’re 65 or older or have certain disabilities. It is mostly paid for by payroll taxes and premiums paid by Medicare beneficiaries.

 

Medicare has four parts.

Part A – Hospital Coverage (inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facilities, hospice and some home health care)

Part B – Medical Coverage (doctor visits, outpatient care and some home health care)

Part C – Medicare Advantage (from a private company and pays in place of Original Medicare)

Part D – Prescription Drug Coverage

 

At a Glance: Medicare Coverage Options

	Original Medicare	Medicare Advantage	Medicare Supplement
Managed by	Federal Government	Private Insurance Companies	Private Insurance Companies
Coverage	Limited to what Medicare covers	Often covers services Medicare dosen't like dental, vision and hearing	Limited to what Medicare covers
Prescription Coverage	No	Most plans include Rx coverage	No
Provider Network	No	Yes, some plans allow you to see any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare	No
Monthly Cost	Most people pay a Part B premium	Part B premium + monthly premium (if applicable)	Part B premium + monthly premium

 

Original Medicare (Parts A and B)

Original Medicare is the traditional Medicare program managed by the federal government. It includes Part A and Part B coverage but only covers about 80% of your healthcare costs. Original Medicare does not include coverage for prescription drugs (Part D plan). You should consider signing up for a separate Part D plan to ensure that you have coverage for your prescription drug needs.

 

Medicare Advantage (Part C)

Medicare Advantage combines all your coverage (doctor’s visits, hospital and pharmacy) into one plan, like the health plan you might have been used to while you were working. In addition, Medicare Advantage plans often cover services that Medicare doesn’t cover like care coordination, health coaching, dental, vision and hearing. Medicare Advantage plans have yearly limits to keep your out-of-pocket costs lower. Original Medicare does not. Medicare Advantage $0 premium plans have become popular recently, where you do not have to pay a monthly premium for the plan, you must still pay your Part B premium.

 

Medicare Supplement (Medigap)

Medicare Supplement plans help pay for the costs that Original Medicare doesn’t pay for, like coinsurance, copayments and deductibles. With these plans the government sets the rules, and the plans only cover services that Original Medicare covers. Medicare Supplement plan premiums often increase with age. They also do not include coverage for prescription drugs (Part D plan). You should consider signing up for a separate Part D plan to ensure that you have coverage for your prescription drug needs.

 

Things to Consider When Choosing a Medicare Plan:

• Ensure you can continue to see your doctor
• Review the formulary (drug list) to make sure your drugs are covered
• Look at how your past healthcare costs line up with a plan. Consider if there is an opportunity to change plans to save money.
• Look for additional plan perks, like health coaching and care coordination, fitness benefits and more.
• Check to see if you’re eligible for Extra Help through Medicare.

 

Learn More:

 

Medicare: 800-Medicare (800-633-4227)

Call to request Medicare info, enroll in a Medicare plan, verify Extra Help status or find state health insurance counselors.

 

Social Security Administration: 800-772-1213

Call for issues regarding Extra Help, like enrolling, verifying status or getting more info.

Also call to enroll in Medicare or schedule monthly premiums to be withdrawn from Social Security.

 

U.S. Railroad Retirement Board: 877-772-5772

Call to schedule monthly premiums to be withdrawn from the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board.

 

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