Medicare Basics
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for:
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People age 65 or older.
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People under age 65 with certain disabilities.
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People of all ages with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant).
Most people should enroll in (Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) when they’re first eligible, but certain people may choose to delay (Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance.)
In most cases, it depends on the type of health coverage you may have.
Medicare has different Parts that help cover specific services:
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Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) - Part A 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.
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Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) - Part B 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.
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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, (HMO), Preferred Provider Organizations, (PPO), Private Fee-for-Service Plans, (PFFS), Special Needs Plans, (SNP), and Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans, (MSA). 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.
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Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage) - Medicare prescription drug coverage is available to everyone with Medicare. To get Medicare prescription drug coverage, people must join a plan approved by Medicare that offers Medicare drug coverage. Most people pay a monthly premium for Part D.