Medicare

1. Medicare Carmen Mead

2. What is Medicare? • “Medicare is a health insurance program for: • People age 65 or older, • People under age 65 with certain disabilities, and • People of all ages with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or kidney transplant).” • Sourced from: http://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-General-Information/MedicareGenInfo/index.html

3. Medicare Part A: Hospital Insurance • “Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) helps cover inpatient care in hospitals, including critical access hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities (not custodial or long term care). It also helps cover hospice care and some home health care. Beneficiaries must meet certain conditions to get these benefits. Most people don’t pay a premium for Part A because they or a spouse already paid for it through their payroll taxes while working.” • Sourced from: http://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-General-Information/MedicareGenInfo/index.html

4. Medicare Part B: Medical Insurance • “Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) helps cover doctors’ services and outpatient care. It also covers some other medical services that Part A doesn’t cover, such as some of the services of physical and occupational therapists, and some home health care. Part B helps pay for these covered services and supplies when they are medically necessary. Most people pay a monthly premium for Part B.” • Sourced from: http://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-General-Information/MedicareGenInfo/index.html

5. Medicare Part C: Medicare Advantage Plans • “ A Medicare Advantage Plan is a type of Medicare health plan offered by a private company that contracts with Medicare to provide you with all your Part A and Part B benefits. Medicare Advantage Plans include Health Maintenance Organizations, Preferred Provider Organizations, Private Fee-for-Service Plans, Special Needs Plans, and Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans. If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, Medicare services are covered through the plan and aren't paid for under Original Medicare. Most Medicare Advantage Plans offer prescription drug coverage.” • Sourced from: http://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans/decide-how-to-get-medicare/whats-medicare/what-is-medicare.html

6. Medicare Part D: Prescription Drug Coverage • “Most people will pay a monthly premium for this coverage. Starting January 1, 2006, new Medicare prescription drug coverage will be available to everyone with Medicare. Everyone with Medicare can get this coverage that may help lower prescription drug costs and help protect against higher costs in the future. Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage is insurance. Private companies provide the coverage. Beneficiaries choose the drug plan and pay a monthly premium. Like other insurance, if a beneficiary decides not to enroll in a drug plan when they are first eligible, they may pay a penalty if they choose to join later.” • Sourced from: http://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-General-Information/MedicareGenInfo/index.html

7. What’s Next? • If Medicare is something that you feel like you qualify for and are interested in, you can now apply online! • It’s fast, easy, and takes less then 10 minutes! • Here is a link to your benefit application for Medicare https://secure.ssa.gov/iCLM/rib • http://www.socialsecurity.gov/medicareonly/

8. How to save some money • Medicare Savings Programs: • “4 kinds of Medicare Savings Programs • If you have income from working, you may qualify for these 4 programs even if your income is higher than the income limits listed below. • If you qualify for a QMB, SLMB, or QI program, you automatically qualify to get Extra Help paying for Medicare prescription drug coverage. • Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program • Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Program   • Qualifying Individual (QI) Program  
You must apply every year for QI benefits. QI applications are granted on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to people who got QI benefits the previous year. (You can't get QI benefits if you qualify for Medicaid).” • Sourced from: http://www.medicare.gov/your-medicare-costs/help-paying-costs/medicare-savings-program/medicare-savings-programs.html

9. How to Save Money (cont.) • “Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals (QDWI) Program  
The QDWI program helps pay the Part A premium. You may qualify if any of these apply to you: • You're a working disabled person under 65 • You lost your premium-free Part A when you went back to work • You aren't getting medical assistance from your state • You meet the income and resource limits required by your state” • Sourced from: http://www.medicare.gov/your-medicare-costs/help-paying-costs/medicare-savings-program/medicare-savings-programs.html

10. How can I apply for these programs? • “If you answer yes to these 3 questions, call your State Medicaid Program to see if you qualify for a Medicare Savings Program in your state: • Do you have, or are you eligible for, Part A? • Is your income for 2012 at, or below, the income limits below? • Do you have limited resources, below the limits below? • It's important to call or fill out an application if you think you could qualify for savings—even if your income or resources are higher than the amounts listed here.” • Sourced from: http://www.medicare.gov/your-medicare-costs/help-paying-costs/medicare-savings-program/medicare-savings-programs.html

11. References • http://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-General-Information/MedicareGenInfo/index.html • http://www.medicare.gov/your-medicare-costs/help-paying-costs/medicare-savings-program/medicare-savings-programs.html • http://www.socialsecurity.gov/medicareonly/ • http://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans/decide-how-to-get-medicare/whats-medicare/what-is-medicare.html