According to the federal government, Medicare is divided into two types, i.e., parts A and B. But before going into detail about Medicare parts, let’s discuss what it is and how it can help you. So, let’s get started!
Medicare is a health insurance program designed to fulfill the needs of people above 65 years. However, if someone has a disability, Medicare will also facilitate you. Unlike a family health plan from an employer, medicare is an individual program that means every person needs to qualify for it, enroll in the program and choose coverage for themselves.
Government-sponsored medicare comprises mainly two parts, i.e., parts A and B. Both parts cover certain health care services. When we combine these two parts, it is often known as Original Medicare or traditional Medicare.
However, traditional Medicare or original Medicare doesn’t cover the 100% cost of your medical bills. In this case, every Medicare beneficiary should expand their plan to Plan C or Plan D. plan C (Medicare Advantage Plan) covers the semi-private room, nursing care, meals, and medication if admitted to the hospital.
Whereas part D covers the bills for prescription drugs of outpatients. The eligibility of these plans lay in the eligibility of plans A and B. Anyone eligible for plans A and B can acquire plans C and D according to their needs and budget.
In short, the Medicare plan varies according to the state you are living in. The resident of Texas can get benefits from Texas Medicare plans. Similarly, if you are a resident of Florida, you can get an advantage of the Florida Medicare plans.
However, if you are already a medicare beneficiary or want to be one of them, then these tips can help you understand Medicare in detail.
Let’s dig into the article to know more about medicare plans and their advantages.
Helpful Tips for Every Medicare Beneficiary
- Take Your Medicare Card With You On Every Visit
If you are a medicare beneficiary, then you must have a medicare card, right? It is important to bring your medicare card every time you visit a doctor. Always take it with you no matter how often you visit your doctor.
In this way, the hospital can submit your medical bills to Medicare for payment clearance. It is also your gateway to medicare and proof that you have health insurance. So always keep your medicare card with you.
- Never Share Your Medicare Card with Anyone Else
Are you thinking of sharing your medicare card with someone else? Don’t even think of it. In case of sharing your medicare card, you can lose the services you need for yourself. This can be one of the major disadvantages of sharing your Medicare card.
There are many side-effects of sharing your medicare card with someone else. These side-effects include:
- The history of someone else in your record can cause you mistreatment. After studying your card record, the doctor can even mistreat you. This is all because your card would have someone else’s history too.
- The health insurance company may not pay for the service you need. As they might have already paid it on your card.
- If you are found guilty of sharing your medicare card, you may have to pay a heavy fine to the company.
- Always Keep Your Medicare Information Secure
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The next tip is about securing your medicare information. There are plenty of cases where people try to do medicare fraud with you. So to keep yourself safe from such circumstances, never share your medicare information with anyone.
Suppose you get a call asking for your medicare details from some hospital or insurance company. Do not share it at any cost. They are probably someone trying to commit billing fraud.
- Always Make Sure to Maintain Your Health Care Journal
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Another tip for medicare beneficiaries is to keep updated your health care journal. Moreover, a patient needs to discuss everything with his doctor. Make sure your medicare plan covers all your prescriptions and test. In this way, you won’t face any unexpected medical bills.
Update your health care journal every time you visit a doctor. So even if you switch your doctor, you won’t face any problems.
- Check for Yearly Changes in Your Plan
Almost every year, all the medicare plans change. So make sure to keep track of every change your plan is making. Also, keep an eye on other plans too. Maybe those plans would suit you much better than your existing plan.
Also, try to switch your medicare plan if it has additional restrictions on the drugs and services you need. So, to keep your plan up to date and according to your needs, always keep an eye on yearly changes.
These were all the tips that would be beneficial for you if you are a Medicare beneficiary. However, these tips will also help you if you are willing to be one of the beneficiaries.
How to Apply for Medicare?
If you are turning 65 this year, you should be ready to apply for Medicare. But are you curious about how? Don’t worry! In this section, we will guide you step by step process of applying for medicare.
Let’s started!
Eligibility
Before applying for Medicare, you need to know whether you are eligible for it or not. So the first eligibility criteria are: your age should be 62 years and 9 months or older than it. However, if you are disabled, you can apply for medicare before you are 63.
Sign Up
To apply for Medicare, first, you need to know that some people automatically sign up for Medicare. However, some have to apply for it manually.
Depending on your circumstances, you can apply for Medicare plan A and/or plan B. If you don’t know about plans A and B, don’t worry! We will discuss it in the next section.
However, you can sign up for Medicare by the following methods
- You can visit your local Social Security office
- You can also sign up by calling the social security office
- You can also mail a signed and dated letter to the social security office. This letter should contain your name, social security number, and the date you want to enroll in Medicare.
- The most convenient one is to apply online at www.ssa.gov.
What are Medicare Parts A and B?
- Part A (Hospital Insurance)
Hospital Insurance comes under Medicare Part A. Inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing care, hospice care, and certain home health care services are typically covered by Part A. Usually, there must be a deductible, coinsurance, and/or copayments.
When they are unrelated to your treatment, 24-hour home care, meals, or homemaker services are not covered by Medicare Part A. Additionally, if personal care services are all you require, such as assistance with dressing and bathing, they are not covered.
- Part B (Medical Insurance)
Medical insurance comes under Medicare Part B. It typically covers products and services like:
- Doctor’s appointments
- Preventive treatments, including specific examinations and screenings
- Flu vaccines
- influenza shots
- Care for mental health (outpatient)
- alcohol abuse advice
- Chemotherapy
- Physical exercise
- Diabetes self-management therapy, supplies, and screenings
- dependable medical supplies, such as wheelchairs
Final Thoughts
Medicare is a national health insurance program created to help the elderly of the country pay for hospital, medical, and other healthcare expenses. The majority of those 65 and older have access to Medicare.
Additionally, Medicare has been expanded to cover people under 65 with end-stage renal disease and those receiving disability payments from the Railroad Retirement Board or Social Security (ESRD).
Moreover, you should always remember the tips we have jotted above. They will help you in the best way possible.
