What is Medicare?

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Medicare is a national United States health insurance program for people 65 and older. It is also for people with certain disabilities or end-stage kidney failure. This program is divided into various parts, and it’s important to learn how these fit together. With Urmedicare, you can be sure that you’re getting the coverage you need and deserve. We have been helping seniors get the care they need for over 20 years, and we can help you too. Give us a call today to learn more about what we can do for you.

History of Medicare

If you’re a senior citizen, you know that healthcare can be expensive. Medicare is a national program that helps seniors get the coverage they need. Originally, Medicare only had two parts: Part A and Part B. But over the years, the coverage has changed and evolved to cover more people. Now, over 60 million people have coverage from Medicare. While Part A and Part B will usually cover most of your medical expenses, there are supplemental policies that you can purchase to help fill in any gaps. Urmedicare is here to help you every step of the way. We’ll make sure you get the coverage you need so that you can focus on enjoying your retirement.

What is Medicare Part A? What does it cover?

If you’re a senior citizen, you may be wondering what Medicare Part A is and what it covers. Part A is hospital insurance that can help with the cost of inpatient care, skilled nursing facility stays, hospice care, and home health care. In general, Part A covers your room and board in the hospital. However, it doesn’t cover all treatments that might occur in a hospital or clinical setting – those could fall under Part B. The good news is that most people age 65 can qualify for premium-free coverage of Part A. Even if you don’t automatically qualify, you may still be able to get it by paying a hefty premium. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you get the coverage you deserve.

What is Medicare Part B?

Part B of Medicare is your outpatient medical coverage. This part of Medicare covers essentially all of your other medical services outside of inpatient hospital care. Without Part B, you would be uninsured for doctor’s visits (including doctors who treat you in the hospital). You would also not have Medicare coverage for lab work, preventive services, ambulance services, and outpatient surgeries.

More importantly, Part B covers cancer therapy and kidney dialysis. These are extremely expensive items that would cost a fortune without Part B and supplemental coverage.

The cost of Part B is set by Social Security and it changes from year to year. However, individuals in higher income brackets pay more than those in lower income brackets. Your modified adjusted gross income reported to the IRS determines what your Part B premium will be.

You can read more about the cost of Part B on our Medicare Cost page. Having this information will help you understand what to expect when it comes to the cost of your Part B coverage.

What is Medicare Part C?

Medicare Part C, also known as the Medicare Advantage program, is a voluntary insurance plan that is available for those who are already enrolled in Parts A and B. This program is administered by private insurance carriers rather than the government, and it offers a variety of benefits to its enrollees. The cost of coverage under a Part C plan varies depending on the carrier, county of residence, and plan selected, but all enrollees must pay for Part B coverage in addition to any premiums associated with their Part C plan. For those who are interested in enrolling in a Part C plan, the process begins with selecting a carrier and a plan that best meets their needs. After enrolling, Medicare coverage will be provided by the Advantage plan itself.

This program is an excellent option for those who wish to receive additional benefits beyond what is offered by Original Medicare.

For more information on Part C plans and how to enroll, please visit our website or contact one of our representatives today.

What is Medicare Part D?

Welcome to Medicare Part D! This is the newest part of our national health insurance program for people age 65 and up. For half a century, there was no Medicare coverage for prescription medicines. In 2006, our federal government rolled out Part D and tens of millions of Medicare beneficiaries signed up to get coverage for their outpatient drugs.

Part D covers retail prescription drugs that you pick up yourself at the pharmacy or order via mail order. You choose a carrier and enroll in their drug plan, and that’s how you sign up for a Part D drug plan. Most states have about 30 drug plans to choose from. However, the best way to determine which one is the right fit for you is to have your agent run a Part D analysis using Medicare’s prescription drug finder tool.

We hope you take advantage of this great benefit and sign up for a Part D plan today!

Medicare vs Medicaid. Which is better?

Medicare is a health insurance program for the elderly that is run by the government. It is different from Medicaid, which is financial and/or healthcare assistance for low-income individuals. Some people 65 and older can qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. In that scenario, Medicare would be primary and Medicaid would be secondary.

The government has several Savings Programs which you can apply for through your state’s Medicaid office. These may help you to pay your Part B premiums as well as provide drug plan assistance. Check with your state’s Medicaid office to see if you qualify.

What doesn’t medicare cover?

There are a few things that you need to know before you apply, as Medicare doesn’t cover everything. Here’s a list:

Long-term care
Hearing aids
Routine dental care
Routine vision care
Medical care outside of the U.S.
Dentures
Plastic and/or cosmetic surgery
Massage therapy

As you can see, there are a few things that Medicare doesn’t cover. However, it still provides vital coverage for many health needs of senior citizens. For more information on what is covered, please visit our website or give us a call. We’re happy to help!