Turning 65 and Need Help with Medicare?
Medicare is health insurance for people age 65 or older, under 65 with disabilities and people of any age with End-Stage Renal Disease. Medicare alone was never intended to pay for all medical expenses including coinsurance, co-pays and deductibles. A Medigap policy is health insurance sold by private insurance companies to fill the gaps in Original Medicare coverage. Medicare Supplement insurance can help you pay your medical expenses not paid for by Original Medicare.
Overview of Medicare Coverage
There have been many changes to Medicare since it was created in 1965. With these changes it is difficult to keep up with what is covered, enrollment dates and who is covered. Alabama Medicare wants to help you understand Medicare and the options available to you.
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Parts of Medicare - Part A, Part B, Part C, Part D
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Medicare Part A |
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What is it?
Medicare Part A is the portion of Medicare that is available premium free to all eligible individuals who have paid (or their spouse has paid) Medicare taxes for at least 40 calendar quarters during their lifetime. People who are not eligible for premium-free Part A may be able to purchase Part A. Medicare Part A provides services associated with hospital, blood, hospice, skilled nursing care, and home health care.
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Medicare Part B |
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What is it?
Medicare Part B is the medical insurance portion of Medicare.Part B covers physician services, outpatient hospital care, and many other services typically covered under health insurance plans. Part B is financed through monthly premiums paid by covered beneficiaries and by contributions from the Federal government.
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Medicare Part C |
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What is Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage)?
The Medicare program, which is a federal program that helps senior citizens and certain other individuals pay for health care, is divided into four parts; Part A, Part B, Part C, and Part D. Part C, sometimes called "MA" (Medicare Advantage) is an alternative to Parts A and B. If you join a Medicare Advantage plan, the plan, offered by private companies approved by Medicare, will provide all of your Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) coverage. In all types of Medicare Advantage plans, you're always covered for emergency and urgent care.
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Medicare Part D |
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What is Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage?
The Medicare program, which is a federal program that helps senior citizens and certain other individuals pay for health care, is divided into four parts. Part A covers hospital and inpatient services and Part B covers doctor visits and other outpatient services. Together, Parts A and B are referred to as Original Medicare. Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage plans, makes Medicare-covered services available through private health plans, such as HMOs, PPOs, and private fee for service plans (PFFSs).
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Original Medicare |
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Medicare is health insurance for people age 65 or older, under age 65 with certain disabilities, and any age with End-Stage Renal disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant).
Part A (Hospital Insurance) and/or Part B (Medical Insurance) is often referred to as "Original Medicare." Medicare beneficiaries are automatically enrolled in Original Medicare unless you choose to enroll in a Medicare Advantage, Part C plan.
The Original Medicare Plan is a "fee-for-service" plan. You are usually charged a fee for each health care service or supply you get. This plan, managed by the Federal Government, is available nationwide. If you are in the Original Medicare Plan, you use your red, white, and blue Medicare card when you get health care. If you have a Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance) policy, also show your provider that ID card. If you enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you only use your Medicare Advantage ID card since all of your Medicare benefits (including Original Medicare benefits) are provided by your Medicare Advantage plan.
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Senior Health Directory
Select Your State!
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Medicare Partners
Medicare & You 2011
Turning 65 Guide
Medigap Guide
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Parts of Medicare
