Carmen MeadMEDICARE

“Medicare is a health insurance program for:People age 65 or older,People under age 65 with certain disabilities, andPeople 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

WHAT IS MEDICARE?

“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

MEDICARE PART A: HOSPITAL 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

MEDICARE PART B: MEDICAL INSURANCE

“ 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 f rom: http: / /www.medicare.gov/s ign-up-change-p lans/decide-how-to -get-medicare/whats-medicare/what- is -medicare.html

MEDICARE PART C: MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS

“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. Benefi ciaries choose the drug plan and pay a monthly premium. Like other insurance, if a benefi ciary decides not to enroll in a drug plan when they are fi rst eligible, they may pay a penalty if they choose to join later.”

Sourced f rom: http: / /www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-General - Information/MedicareGenInfo/index.html

MEDICARE PART D: PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE

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/

WHAT’S NEXT?

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 l isted below.

If you qualify for a QMB, SLMB, or QI program, you automatically qualify to get Extra Help paying for Medicare prescription drug coverage.

Qualifi ed Medicare Benefi ciary (QMB) Program Specifi ed Low-Income Medicare Benefi ciary (SLMB) Program   Qualifying Individual (QI) Program  You must apply every year for QI

benefi ts. QI applications are granted on a fi rst-come, fi rst-served basis, with priority given to people who got QI benefi ts the previous year. (You can't get QI benefi ts if you qualify for Medicaid).”

Sourced f rom: http: / /www.medicare.gov/your-medicare-costs/help-paying-costs/medicare-savings-program/medicare-savings-programs.html

HOW TO SAVE SOME MONEY

“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 65You lost your premium-free Part A when you went

back to workYou aren't getting medical assistance from your stateYou 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

HOW TO SAVE MONEY (CONT.)

“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 fi ll 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

HOW CAN I APPLY FOR THESE PROGRAMS?

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

REFERENCES